10 Human Foods that are good for Dogs

In the last blog post, we discussed about the human foods that are harmful for dogs. Not everything that we eat is safe for dogs, but that doesn’t mean that your pooch is destined to have only canned dog food. There are several food items that are as healthy and nutritious for our dogs as they are for us. So, here are 10 people foods that make for quick and healthy snacks for dogs

Apples

Loaded with fibre, phytonutrients, and vitamins, apples make for a tasty and nutritious treat for dogs. The apple seeds however contain cyanide which can harm your pooch when consumed regularly in large quantities. So it’s advisable to remove the seeds before feeding the fruit.

Carrots

A crunchy snack rich in potassium, beta carotene and fibre, dogs love to munch on this sweet and delicious veggie. Carrots also help prevent bad breath and maintain your dog’s dental health.

 Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is safe for dogs and our furry buddies just seem to just love this sticky and delicious food.  Always opt for the natural and unprocessed variety of peanut butter and the one that does not contain added salt, sugar and preservatives. Since it’s high in fat and calories, use this snack sparingly, especially if your pet is overweight.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a good source of fibre and vitamin A. It’s easily digestible, low in calories, and helps relieve diarrhoea in dogs. It’s always better to go for fresh pumpkin. If you plan to get the canned one, make sure it’s free from sugar and preservatives.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamins, zinc and potassium. When choosing yoghurt always opt for the fat-free version, and the one that does not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Sweet Potato

Whether mashed or dehydrated, sweet potatoes are wonderful treats for dogs. They are rich in dietary fibre and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese.

Green Beans

Green beans are a great source of fibre, vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese.  Being low in calories, they are a great snack for overweight dogs.

Rice

Rice contains easily digestible carbohydrate, which makes it a great food for dogs, especially when they are having an upset stomach. There are different types of rice available in the market. Brown rice is considered healthier since it’s high in protein and low in fat content when compared to white rice.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber.  For dogs that are allergic to wheat, oatmeal can be a great alternative. It’s also beneficial for older dogs that have irregular bowel movements.

Watermelon

A great treat for summers, this juicy and delicious fruit is as good for our dogs as it is for us. Make sure you remove the seeds before feeding it to your pooch. Ingestion of seeds in large numbers can be dangerous for dogs, especially the smaller ones.

Image Source: Jokeroo.com

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PUPCAKE – The Droolicious new barkery in town!!

UPDATE: Manu & Terry – you win the Pupcake Giveaway!!

Banana Biscotti, Apple Cinnamon Cookies, or maybe a slice of sinful Red Velvet cake….what are you in the mood for today? Er sorry actually what’s your pooch in the mood for today?!!

Founded by Chinthana Gopinath in 2012, Pupcake – the new bakery in Bangalore- makes yummy cakes for doggie birthdays and special occasions and home made fresh cookies and treats in tons of droolicious flavors. We caught up with Chinthana to find out more about this doggie business 😉

So what inspired you to start Pupcake…..

I have always worked in the food industry, even had my own restaurant for three years. I love to cook! I have grown up with dogs and have had them around my entire life. When it was time to start a new chapter in my life, I didn’t have to look too far for any inspiration. Combining my passion for food and dogs, Pupcake was born!

Chinthana with Sasha

A typical day at Pupcake……

I research recipes, ingredients, bake, sometimes do delivery of the goodies too. I am the only human member of my company! Calvin, a 3 year old beagle boy, is the chief taster. Sasha, a 4 year old beagle girl, (rescued by CUPA from a lifetime of testing in a pharma lab) is the PR girl….she is very popular! Both of them also supervise the baking process by keeping a keen eye on me when I’m working in the kitchen. They sometimes also accompany me to deliver the goodies.

Goodies  available at Pupcake…..

We have treats, cookies, cakes, pupcakes and meatloaves. If somebody wants us to create something new and special for their furry children, we do that too!

Fresh baked Pupcake goodies.

What’s so special about Pupcake products?

They do not contain a single ingredient that is harmful to dogs… no sugar, no butter, no salt, no artificial colouring or flavour etc. Only whole wheat flour is used, no maida. We use a lot of healthy ingredients like oats, flax seeds, wheatgerm, ragi, canola oil, etc.
They look great, so the humans are happy. They smell and taste great, so the doggies are happy too.

Most pawpular cake/treat….

Among the treats, the chicken liver ones are the most popular. The Bacon Cake is a hot favourite because everything is better with bacon!! I’m yet to meet a dog that has not fallen in drooly love with the meatloaves.

Pupcake’s pawpular Bacon Birthday Cake!

Best part about making cakes for dogs instead of humans….

The look on a doggy’s face when they are given treats and cakes that they enjoy, humans will never be able to match that! In a world where dogs are being abandoned and ill-treated so much, it is a matter of great joy to be a part of families that celebrate their dogs – the birthdays, the welcome home paw-rties, Christamas, Valentine’s Day etc.

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Well all this talk about cakes and cookies has sure made me hungry. And it doesn’t help that the goodies from Chinthana’s Pupcake look unresistable!!

Check out the Pupcake menu here to see all the yummy treats and cakes available for your furry baby. Pupcake can also deliver treats anywhere in India. For more details drop by their Facebook page.

And here’s your chance to win a FREE bag of yummy treats from Pupcake!! Just tell us in the comments below “Why your dog is the most special person in your life”! Our favorite entry will get a bagful of yummy treats to pamper their special pal :))

Let’s get the Pawrty Started

Throwing a party on your dog’s birthday can be a great way to make your pooch feel special and express gratitude for all that your four-legged friend has done to make your life wonderful.  It’s that one day where you can pamper your pet with limitless treats, toys and other gifts. For all those who have never celebrated their dog’s birthday before, it’s time that you give your furry buddy a big surprise by throwing a gala party on his/her next birthday. Here are some tips to help you organize the dog birthday party and make it a memorable event for everyone.

Deciding the Date

Even if you are unaware of your dog’s actual date of birth, you can celebrate the birthday on the day you brought him/her home. Just decide on a date and celebrate your pooch’s birthday on that particular date every year.

Crafting the Birthday Invitation

Crafting a dog birthday invitation card can be great fun. You can use computer tools to design it or make it manually with your hand. Consider including a paw print or bone pattern in the background or make the card in the shape of a dog or a big bone. Personalize the card with your dog’s name, picture and don’t forget to include your contact number and the time and venue of the event in the invitation.

Preparing the Guest List

Include your friends, family members and your doggie’s furry pals and their parents in the guest list. Don’t invite too many pets; else it would get difficult for you to manage the crowd. For every dog you invite, make sure there is atleast one person to manage and look after that pooch during the event. It’s also important to ensure that all the invited dogs are spayed or neutered and do not have any aggression and socialization issues.

Choosing a Venue

When choosing the location for your dog’s birthday, it’s best to opt for a wide open area like your garden or backyard. If you plan to host the party in your backyard, make sure it’s fenced so the dogs won’t be able to escape out. You can also conduct the event in other dog-friendly places like a dog park, a doggie daycare facility or a pet resort.

Here are some Pet Party Venues in Bangalore:

Petspace

Pet Stepin

Paw & Claw

Arranging for the Party Food

Order a personalized birthday cake for your pooch and other canine treats from a good dog bakery in your city.

Here are some dog bakeries that you can order the canine cakes and treats from:

Dog Bakeries in Bangalore: Pupcake, Bone Appetite

Dog Bakeries in Mumbai: The Spoilt brat Barkery, Waggy Bags Gourmet Dog Bakery

Dog Bakery near Delhi: DoggieDabbas

Don’t have any dog bakery or canine food stores in your city? Do a quick search online for dog birthday cake recipes and bake one for your pooch at home. It’s always better to speak to the dog owners who plan to attend the party, regarding their dog’s dietary restrictions, before you order food or prepare a meal for the party. While you are busy making food arrangements for the canine guests, don’t forget to order cakes, snacks and drinks for the humans attending the party. They too deserve to have a drool-worthy time at the event.

Decorating the Venue

Ideas for decorating the venue are limitless. You can cover the tables with paw-printed fabrics; paint bones or paws on balloons and tie them to chairs and other objects around the room/yard. You could further decorate the hall/yard by displaying your dog’s photos or some funky dog paintings and art pieces. Don’t forget to purchase some cute doggie bowls that you could use for serving food. You can shop for pet bowls here.

Getting your Pooch Party Ready

A birthday party is one such event where your dog gets a chance to show off his/her personal style and get decked up in cute clothes and funky accessories. Get your pooch party ready by dressing him/her up in pretty dresses( for birthday gals) or smart tees( for birthday boys). Even if your pooch is not comfortable wearing clothes, you could make him/her look like a rockstar with stylish accessories like party collars, bandanas, bowties, hats and hair clips.

Party Games and Entertainment

Purchase a variety of dog toys to keep the canine guests entertained. You can also organize Pet Fashion/Talent Show and other interactive games(Read this post for some dog game ideas) to engage both the dogs and their owners. Load up with some dog gifts that you can present the game winners and other canine guests at the party. Toys, Collar Charms, Leashes, Grooming Products and Dogs Treats make great return gifts for dog parties.

Have any other dog birthday party ideas? Feel free to share them in the comments.

Image Courtesy: Youqueen.com