Feb 29, 2024 | Dogs, General, Recipes
Today I felt like baking some dog treats again. Our 2-legged family members are not always convinced of my baking skills. But the dog is happy about a homemade dog biscuit. Quark, egg, oat flakes, spelled flour and peanut oil are always in the house for today’s recipe. Instead of peanut oil you can also use pumpkin or olive oil. Sunflower oil is not good for dogs. The better the quality of the ingredients, the better for your pet.
This recipe can also be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
Every dog loves homemade dog biscuits.
Ingredients:
- 150 g Quark
Quark is a great addition to the dog’s diet. Quark is rich in proteins that dogs can process well and digest easily. The lactose content is quite low, but it contains lactic acid bacteria but hardly any milk sugar. Most dogs tolerate quark very well. If your four-legged friend tends to be overweight, choose the lean version so that the dog biscuit won’t hit your hips.
- 1 Egg
Eggs provide the dog with important nutrients. They are rich in protein and fat and are characterized by a high proportion of essential fat and amino acids. Amino acids can support the dog’s metabolism, promote the regeneration of muscle tissue and stimulate cell formation. The fatty acids it contains give the fur a healthy shine. The cholesterol and lecithin contained in the egg yolk are required for cell formation. Chicken eggs should only be served to the dog boiled or, as in this case, baked in dog biscuits.
- 200 g Wholemeal spelt flour
Spelled consists predominantly of carbohydrates in the form of starch. It has a high proportion of protein and a lot of B vitamins. Potassium and magnesium are also included, as are the trace elements iron and phosphorus. Because it has a high level of resistance, it can be grown with almost no pesticides and insecticides and is therefore contaminated with few environmental toxins.
- 100 g Oat Flakes
Oats are particularly easy to digest and digestible. The special fiber stimulates intestinal activity with sufficient fluid intake. Compared to other common grains, oats have the highest content of potassium and magnesium, B group vitamins, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and copper. It also contains protein that is easy for your dog to digest.
- 50 ml Sesame Oil
With all oils, you should ensure that they are cold pressed and not refined. Of course, organic products are better suited to supplement your diet. Sesame oil is not always on the radar for dog nutrition. It is very well tolerated because it is a vegetable oil. It has a positive effect on blood lipid levels. It has a high Omega 6 content, so it should only be used sparingly. If you don’t have sesame oil in the house, replace it with olive, pumpkin, rapeseed or linseed oil.
Preparation:
- Work all the ingredients into a smooth dough.
- Separate a small part of the dough and shape into a roll.
- Cut off small slices and place on a baking tray.
- Bake at 180°C for approx. 20 mins.
Important: The biscuits must be stored in an airy place so that they don’t go mouldy!
The finished dog biscuits
Feb 27, 2024 | Dogs, General, Recipes
There is a smell of autumn in the air, which also makes our dogs crave seasonal treats. This recipe for dog biscuits with pumpkin gets our favorites in the culinary mood for autumn. And let’s look forward to the Christmas baking season.
This recipe can also be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
Dogs are always particularly happy about dog biscuits with chia and apple because they are healthy and taste delicious.
Ingredients for the pumpkin dog biscuits:
200 g wholemeal spelled flour
I prefer to use spelled flour for my dog biscuits. I always have this in the house and it consists mostly of carbohydrates in the form of starch. In addition to its high protein content, it also contains a lot of B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and the trace elements iron and phosphorus. Spelled is also quite robust and is grown with almost no pesticides and insecticides.
200g pumpkin
For my pumpkin dog biscuits I use a Hokaido. It is rich in nutrients and fiber, contains large amounts of vitamins A, C, E, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Pumpkin is a good ingredient for dog biscuits and, raw or steamed, is a healthy snack for in between meals. Under certain circumstances, pumpkin may contain cucurbitacins. These are poisonous to dogs. These bitter substances occur in ornamental gourds and home-grown pumpkins. You can easily test whether pumpkin vegetables contain the bitter substance cucurbitacin: try a small piece of pumpkin. If it is unusually bitter, it is unsuitable for human and animal consumption. Humans react to cucurbitacins with vomiting and diarrhea, as do dogs. It is therefore advisable to decorate decorative pumpkins out of the reach of dogs. If your dog has bitten into an ornamental pumpkin, please consult a veterinarian immediately if the four-legged friend reacts abnormally.
2 organic eggs
Eggs are rich in vitamins, trace elements and unsaturated fatty acids and provide the dog with important nutrients. The high proportion of essential fat and amino acids can support the fur nose’s metabolism, and eggs are also rich in protein and fat. Amino acids stimulate cell formation and can support the animal’s metabolism. The fatty acids ensure a healthy shine in the fur and the cholesterol and lecithin contained in the yolk are required for cell formation. If the eggs are boiled or, as in this case, baked, there is no risk of transmitting salmonella.
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
The oriental spice gives our treats that certain something. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibiotic and pain-relieving effects in humans and animals. Turmeric is a true miracle cure.
Preparation:
- Wash the pumpkin thoroughly, cut it into small pieces, remove the seeds and steam it in a little water until soft.
- Knead with the flour, eggs and turmeric to form a malleable dough.
- Roll out the dough and cut out small cookies. Or
Cut off small slices and spread them on a baking tray.
- Bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes
Important:
Be sure to store the dog biscuits with pumpkin in an air-permeable container or bag so that they do not get moldy!
Feb 27, 2024 | Dogs, General, Recipes
When you make homemade cookies for your dog, you always know exactly what is in them. You can respond very well to your pet’s needs, for example allergies, and pay attention to organic quality. Today I came up with a fruity, fresh recipe for a treat. The dog biscuits with apple and chia will delight your four-legged friend and with these healthy ingredients, your four-legged friend will also get a good portion of omega 3 fatty acids.
Dogs are always particularly happy about dog biscuits with chia and apple because they are healthy and taste delicious.
Ingredients for the dog biscuits with apple and chia:
- 50 g fine oat flakes
The three main food sources for dogs are protein in plant and animal form, fat and carbohydrates. Oat flakes contain vegetable protein, a high number of unsaturated fatty acids and lots of fiber and carbohydrates. Oatmeal is an excellent source for your four-legged friend, especially when energy is needed quickly. In addition to vitamins and minerals, oatmeal also contains mucilage that has a calming effect on the intestinal wall. The fine flakes are easier to digest than the coarse flakes and should also soak for some time before eating.
- 200 g of cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a high-quality source of protein with high levels of vitamin D, magnesium and calcium. It is easy to digest and the muscles are continuously supplied with all essential amino acids. Also with serotonin, which is responsible for well-being. The lactic acid bacteria contained nourish and regenerate the dog’s intestinal flora. It has been scientifically proven that cottage cheese neutralizes tooth decay bacteria.
- 2 organic eggs
Like humans, dogs benefit from the healthy nutrients in eggs. It contains enough essential fats and amino acids for a good metabolism. They are also rich in many vitamins and good proteins. The fatty acids ensure a great shine in the fur of your four-legged friend. The cholesterol and lecithin contained in the yolk support cell formation. Since the eggs in our biscuit are sufficiently heated, no salmonella is transmitted.
- 50g chia
Chia seeds are not only healthy for humans, but also for our four-legged friends. The dog biscuits with apple and chia contain antioxidants, proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on the four-legged friend’s immune system and metabolism. It is important that the chia seeds soak for at least two hours before processing.
- 2 apples
“An apple a day, keeps the doctor away” also applies to dogs. The apple is a healthy and nutrient-rich addition to the daily food ration. The secondary plant substances, vitamins and pectin it contains have a positive effect on health.
Preparation of the dog biscuits with apple and chia:
- Remove the core of the apples and then grate them finely. I leave the bowls on, but everyone can do it however they want.
- Then knead all the ingredients into a dough.
Wait at least 2 hours until the chia has swollen properly.
- Then use a teaspoon to scoop out small piles and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake at 175°C for approx. 20 minutes
Important: The dog biscuits with chia and apple must dry particularly well. Be sure to store it in an air-permeable container or bag.
Use these few healthy ingredients to bake your dog’s favorite cookies.
Feb 7, 2024 | Dogs, General
The most important rule is:
Even if there is only the slightest suspicion, do not hesitate and take your dog to the vet immediately.
your dog to the vet immediately. Because if your four-legged friend has really swallowed a poisoned bait, this can cause the first signs of poisoning within a very short time.
The first signs of poisoning can be
– vomiting
– excessive panting
– white salivation
– pale mucous membranes
– altered pupils
– listlessness
Unfortunately, the signs are not always immediately noticeable and much depends on the type of poisonous bait.
Rat poison
The disastrous thing about rat poison is that the first signs may only appear after a few days. Typical signs of poisoning with rat poison are vomiting, tiredness, bloody diarrhoea and a low body temperature. 2-3 days after ingestion of the rat poison, bleeding occurs on mucous membranes and from body orifices and the dog usually dies of organ failure within 3-5 days.
Insecticide slug pellets
Insecticide slug pellets are also often used to poison baits. It works much faster than rat poison and the first symptoms of poisoning can occur after just 30 minutes. Please consult a vet as soon as possible. As soon as the poison has entered the bloodstream, the vet can only provide symptomatic treatment. The perfidious thing about slug pellets is their sweet flavour, which is why dogs and cats like to eat them.
Narcotics
As dog haters will use anything they deem useful for their purposes, baits can also be laced with anaesthetics. If your pet has swallowed one of these baits, signs such as loss of consciousness or staggering will occur within a very short time.
Bait spiked with sharp-edged objects.
If your pet has eaten a bait spiked with nails, razor blades or metal spikes, you will often notice blood in your pet’s mouth. In this case, too, you should make your way to the vet as quickly as possible and, if possible, announce the visit on the way.
Do you suspect poisoning?
1. absolutely refrain from self-medicating.
2. call a vet or veterinary clinic immediately and announce the emergency.
3. take your dog for veterinary treatment immediately and without delay.
Do not self-medicate!
You can find lots of first aid tips for poisoning on the Internet, but most of them are hardly practicable and can even be life-threatening. Please do not make your dog vomit under any circumstances, because if he has swallowed sharp-edged or corrosive substances, his condition could worsen considerably.
The administration of activated charcoal may also cost vital time. Charcoal tablets
bind toxins in the body, but the necessary dosage depends on the dog’s body weight.
body weight of the dog.
In an emergency, every second really counts, so contact a vet immediately
vet immediately and give notice so that you can be treated as quickly as possible. Quick and immediate treatment can save your dog’s life.
Please make a note in your telephone:
Address and telephone numbers of neighbouring vets and veterinary clinics.
Even if you are on holiday, this may save your life.
Poison bait also in your private neighbourhood.
Unfortunately, intentional poisoning of dogs and cats also occurs among neighbours. Neighbours may feel disturbed by the barking of dogs. If dog owners allow their four-legged friend to defecate in the neighbour’s driveway or front garden, trouble is inevitable. Unfortunately, the animal perceived as a nuisance is only a poison bait throw over the garden fence away.
How can I prevent my four-legged friend from ingesting poison bait?
More on this in our next blog post: Can I prevent my dog from eating a poison bait?
Which plants are poisonous for my dog? You can find out more here:
Feb 7, 2024 | Dogs
What should the optimum diet be for large dogs?
Nutrition plays a major role in keeping your pet healthy and lively. Whether small or large dogs and small dogs, food plays a decisive role in your pet’s health. Here you can find out what you should pay attention to so that the diet for large dogs is balanced and healthy and keeps your pet fit and agile.
Here is a selection of large dog breeds:
Bernese Mountain Dog
Saint Bernard
Great Dane
Broholmer
Great Dane
English Mastiff
Irish Wolfhound
Landseer
Leonberger
Kangal
Newfoundland
Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Rottweiler
Scottish Deerhound
The best orthopaedic dog cushions for large dogs that perfectly support the joints and spine can be found at pet-interiors.
Nutrition for large breed puppies.
Adult dogs, whether small or large breeds, need approximately the same nutrients. However, this does not apply to puppies in the growth phase. Large breed puppies have very specific and high nutritional requirements. Large puppies need to gain weight quickly, and their weight increases approximately 100-fold by the time they reach adulthood. In small dog breeds, the difference in weight from birth to adulthood is not so great; they gain about 20 to 30 times as much weight. It is therefore essential to avoid nutritional errors during the growth phase in large dog breeds.
Why do large dogs defecate differently to small dogs?
Large dogs have a proportionally shorter gastrointestinal tract than small dogs, which is why they defecate more often and usually have poorer faecal quality than smaller breeds. Large dogs also release more sodium and water into the large intestine, which increases the water content in their faeces. You can prevent this digestive problem with highly digestible food if you tailor the diet for large dogs perfectly to this.
How should food for large dogs be formulated?
If it is a ready-made food for large dogs from a well-known dog food manufacturer that you trust, the special needs of a large dog should be taken into account. Of course, you can put together the food and treats (you can find the recipe for dog biscuits and dog cookies here) yourself and perfectly customise the diet for large dogs.
Then these easily digestible products should be included: Muscle meat e.g., from beef, pork, sheep, game, plus eggs, dairy products such as quark or cottage cheese, carbohydrates from cooked rice or oatmeal, plus oils or fats. The advantage of homemade dog food is, of course, that you know exactly what is in the food for your large dog. However, it is very important to pay close attention to the composition of the food so that your pet does not suffer any deficiencies.
What are the energy requirements of large dogs?
The energy requirements of large and small dogs are similar. The energy requirement depends more on how active the dog is, the age of the pet and whether it is a long-haired or short-haired dog. Dogs with a thin, short coat with little undercoat need more energy to maintain their body temperature. If the dog has a lot of muscle mass with a low body fat percentage, its energy requirement is also higher.
A very active, agile and lively dog consumes more energy than a calm, comfortable and perhaps older animal. You should definitely take these considerations into account in your diet plan for your large dog.
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