Let's Talk GREEN for DOGS! #feedmypawsclass
Hi everyone!
Today we'll be talking about all things GREEN! This is part of a 3 part series where we cover different coloured fruits and vegetables that is safe and beneficial for a pup's consumption :)
So, what's in the smoothie pictured?
We've got:
Broccoli (steamed)
Asparagus (steamed)
Wheatgrass (raw)
English parsley (raw)
Kale (raw)
Cucumber (raw)
To prepare:
Soak veggies for 30 minutes, then wash thoroughly before steaming/pureeing.
In this mix I used: 1 stalk of kale (just the leaves), 1 asparagus, ~20 blades of wheatgrass, 5 little leaves of parsley, half a small japanese cucumber.
Note: All vegetables are best prepared by pureeing or cooking because dogs (unlike most herbivores) are not able to digest and absorb the nutrients from whole pieces of veggies.
IMPT: Please feed these in moderation only! These veggies are only meant to supplement a diet with naturally-occuring vitamins and antioxidants. It should not replace an existing diet.
Why the selected GREEN Vegetables?
Cruciferous Veggies (e.g.: Broccoli & Kale): Rich in antioxidants. Is anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting. Helps elimate toxins.
Wheatgrass: Natural tonic. Vitamins A, C, E, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and Amino Acids.
Asparagus: Vitamins A, C, D, K, Folic Acid, and Chlorophyll which is an antioxidant.
English/Chinese Parsley: Vitamins A, C, K. High in dietary fibre.
Vit A: Antioxidant that supports immune function, good eye health, and organ function.
Vit C: Antioxidant that's excellent for the immune system.
Vit K: Maintains healthy blood clotting.
*Cucumber doesn't have much nutrients and is over 90% water. It was used to help blend the mixture together. You can use coconut water or even just filtered water instead :)
Other "greens" that deserve a mention:
Seaweed (the fresh or powdered kind): Rich source of Vitamins B12, iodine, iron, calcium, trace minerals and amino acids.
Echinacea: Immunostimulat, anti-microbial.
We asked earlier today on Instagram and Facebook whether you guys had any questions you'd like us to cover in this post, so here goes! :)
1. Can I feed this daily?
For a dog of Hoovy's weight (5kg), I add only 1 heaping teaspoon of this mix to his meal. I rotate between this and other "coloured" smoothies (more on the different coloured fruits and veggies soon)! Sometimes, to make things more fun for his palate, I'll mix in other fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, papaya, or pineapple. If you're just starting on veggies, feed just 1/4 a teaspoon to get your pup's digestion used to it :) Increase gradually.
2. How do I store this?
I usually make little ice cubes and defrost them just as I need them. This also allows me to rotate between different smoothies. Just like it's important to feed your dog different proteins, it's just as important to change up the nutrients they can get from fruits and vegetables.
3. Is too much veggie bad?
Only 20% of Hoovy's diet is made up of fruits and vegetables. A dog's main diet should comprise of meat - assuming they do not have any health issues. Unless recommended by a vet, I would generally recommend no more than 20-30% fruit and veggie (including herbs) for the average pup :)
This is what I follow personally and what I feel works best for Hoovy right now (he's 12, turning 13 later this year), but every pup has different needs :)
4. My dog is fussy and won't eat vegetables! HELP!
The "easiest" way is of course to add this smoothie to your pup's regular meal but we all know that some pups are just NOT gonna accept that, hahaha. So here's some recipe ideas!
FYI, Hoovy is a complete nightmare when it comes to eating vegetables hahaha. He'll run at the first sight of it. This is where he was when I blended the smoothie last night:
Yeah, he became a Social Distance Ambassa-dog.
So, if your dog is fussy, or if you're bored serving veggies the same way, we hope these simple recipe ideas will help spruce things up a little!
1. Mix it up with some greek yoghurt or cottage cheese!
(Sorry I know the greek yoghurt looks a little weird but I actually bought that for myself so it's drizzled with honey but the whole container toppled on the way home hahaha. Don't worry it's perfectly edible!)
Now, cottage cheese may seem bland but it's high in protein and calcium and is a great addition! Dogs love it!
Suddenly willing to eat it. Hahaha.
Also, here's another recipe idea!
Boil an egg, cut it in half, remove the egg yolks, mix in a teaspoon (or more) of the smoothie, then place it back in the whites and serve it to your pup!
For a dessert idea, blend a banana, papaya, or pineapple, add smoothie, and freeze in a ice cream mould! A few hours later you have a delicious, healthy popsicle! Not exactly ideal in this freezing January weather but it'll come in handy in a few weeks :P
So that's all for today's #feedmypawsclass ! See you next week for another colour!
Bonus photo (Bubbles wondering why on earth I brought home a farm):
