Here are three low-fat and healthy Thanksgiving recipes for dogs brought to you by Whole Dog Journal:
Turkey and Vegetable Frittata
Leftover turkey can be mixed with eggs and a variety of different vegetables to make a healthy meal for your dog.
Ingredients:
2 cups (10 oz.) cooked turkey meat (light or dark, no skin), cut into pieces
1 cup (5 oz.) steamed broccoli
1 cup (5 oz.) steamed cauliflower
4 eggs
1/4 cup plain, lowfat yogurt
Preparation:
Steam broccoli and cauliflower for 8 minutes or until tender, and cut into bite-sized pieces (other vegetables may be substituted; see suggestions below). Beat eggs and yogurt together. Mix turkey and vegetables together in a quiche or glass pie pan (spray first with vegetable or olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking). Pour egg mixture on top and stir, making sure the meat and vegetables are coated with egg. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes (can also be cooked at 375 degrees on top shelf if preparing at the same time as the rice dish). Dish is ready when a fork inserted comes out clean. Makes 8 servings (3.5 oz. each).
Nutritional Analysis per Serving
100 calories, 15g protein, 3g fat, 3g carbohydrates.
Substitutions
Zucchini, spinach, asparagus, bell pepper, green beans, or sweet potato. Chicken instead of turkey.
Quick & Easy Version
Mix leftover turkey with egg, plain yogurt, vegetables, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes or canned pumpkin.
Rice, Apple & Giblet Stuffing
Broth from giblets gives brown rice an intoxicating flavor for dogs, and the addition of the giblets as well makes this dish suitable for a meal. This recipe can be made with a smaller amount of giblets (such as from a chicken) or a larger amount of rice when combined with other high-protein foods.
Ingredients:
Giblets from one turkey (liver, heart and gizzard, about 6.5 oz.)
1 cup brown rice (dry)
2 small apples, diced or cubed
2.5 cups of water
Preparation:
Combine water and giblets and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the giblets and let the water cool a bit. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with olive or vegetable oil cooking spray. Add brown rice and cooled water from the giblets and mix together well. Cover and bake at 375 degrees fahrenheit for 45 minutes. Remove from oven; rice should be almost fully cooked with most of the water absorbed. Add chopped giblets and apples. Return to oven and bake for another 15 minutes uncovered. Makes 12 servings (1/2 cup each).
Nutritional Analysis per Serving
100 calories, 4.5g protein, 2.3g fat, 15.6g carbohydrates.
Optional extras if you want to share with your dog:
Dried cranberries, celery, parsley, thyme, poultry seasoning.
Quick & Easy Version
Mix giblets with cooked rice and/or vegetables.
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin is good for dogs, but they don’t need the extra sugar and spices found in pumpkin pie mix. This recipe uses a low-fat, low-calorie crust suitable for dogs.
Ingredients:
16 oz. canned pumpkin (plain)
8 oz. plain, low-fat yogurt
3/4 cup wheat flour, or a mixture of all purpose and whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
3-4 tbsp. water
Preparation:
Mix oatmeal and flour together in a food processor. Add applesauce slowly, continuing to run processor. Add water slowly, using only enough to make a ball form (too much water will make the dough sticky). Spray wax paper and muffin tin with olive or vegetable oil cooking spray. Roll out dough onto wax paper and cut out 8 circles, about 4″ across (alternatively divide dough into eight small balls before rolling). Press individual dough circles into bottom and sides of muffin tin. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. Let crusts cool, then remove from the muffin tin. Fill each crust with about 1/4 cup (2 oz.) of canned pumpkin. Top with a dollop of yogurt. Makes 8 mini pumpkin pies.
Nutritional Analysis per Pie
100 calories, 4g protein, 1g fat, 20g carbohydrates.
Optional Extras:
Cinnamon, ginger and honey can be mixed in or added on top if desired.
Quick & Easy Version:
Give a scoop of canned pumpkin with a spoonful of plain yogurt on top (crustless version is much lower in calories).
Healthy Substitutions for Dogs
| INSTEAD OF THIS: | FEED THIS: |
| Turkey skin or drippings | Turkey meat (skinless) |
| Fatty ham scraps | Lean ham meat |
| Cooked bones | Giblets (not too much at one time) |
| Gravy made from drippings | Low-fat gravy |
| Stuffing with onions | Stuffing without onions |
| Candied yams and marshmallows | Sweet potato or yams |
| Potatoes with butter and/or sour cream | Plain mashed potatoes |
| Cheese and sausage | Celery or carrot sticks |
| Green bean casserole with onions | Green beans |
| Broccoli casserole with cheese | Broccoli |
| Brussels sprouts with bacon | Brussels sprouts with a few bacon bits |
| Pearl onions | Creamed corn |
| Applesauce with added sugar | Unsweetened applesauce |
| Grapes or raisins | Blueberries and dried cranberries |
| Apple pie | Apple slices |
| Berry pie | Berries |
| Pumpkin pie | Canned pumpkin |
| Nutmeg | Cinnamon |
| Whipped cream | Yogurt (plain) |
| Alcohol | Water flavored with low-fat gravy |
Author Mary Straus would like to extend special thanks to Jill and her taste testers: Etta, Raisin’ (a 15-year-old Cairn Terrier), and Chip, a 12-year-old Norwich Terrier).
Article adapted from https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/share-the-thanksgiving-feast-with-your-dog/