Pet Recipes

I have a tender spot in my heart for animals. As a child, animals provided my first (although, fortunately, not last!) experience of feeling loved unconditionally. People of all ages share special relationships with animals. Despite the hair, occasional muddy prints, various expenses and energy expended in care, I cannot imagine myself without a pet. (At least, to this day, it hasn’t been the case.) Our family has a dog, two cats, two rabbits and four fish who have all benefited from homeopathic care.

Before coming to Davis, I lived in Colorado and had founded a permanent pet shelter on our five-acre parcel of land. It was during this time of caring for our 35 animals that I discovered that, of all the various healing modalities—natural or conventional—homeopathic treatment, hand-in-hand with a natural diet, provided a cure potential which was in a category all by itself (just like for people). Homeopathic treatment is recommended when an animal’s or person’s organism cannot overcome symptoms, after having looked at diet, exercise and lifestyle. So, rather than focusing on homeopathic treatment in this article, I would like to share two wonderful pet recipes which might not otherwise be available.

The theme of this issue is cooking for two, in light of Valentine’s Day. If you would like to cook for your pet, I would recommend checking out Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D and Susan Hubble Pitcairn. It has a wonderful selection of recipes. This book was also my first introduction to natural healthcare for animals. (It was also where I discovered the use of homeopathic remedies for hip dysplasia in my dog, to which he responded well.)

During the time I lived in Colorado with our pets, I provided organic, natural home-cooked meals for the dogs and cats. Cooking for a pet is a wonderful way to express your love, if you have the time and inclination to do so. Despite having lived in a flea-infested area while in Colorado, not one of my animals had fleas. (This was without the use of flea collars or flea-control shampoos. In fact, my dogs had shiny, beautiful, non-odorous coats without ever having been shampooed.) Over time, as a result of natural treatments and healthy food, all of our animals developed a resistance to parasites. Our veterinarian was duly impressed.

The two main recipes I used were created by a home business called Pet Haven in Wisconsin. Both recipes are highly nutritious and economical. (I had used the vegetarian version for my dogs.)

DOG FOOD

This recipe makes about 20–21 cups, feeding one average dog for one week. Always provide “raw hide” or a dry crunch food for your pet’s dental health. Decide if you want vegetarian or meat dog food in Step 1. Follow those specific directions, and then the remainder of the recipe is the same for both versions. Thorough cooking is required in Steps 1 and 2.

STEP 1

Put into a covered kettle and simmer until tender:

Vegetarian
   1-1½ cups green split peas
   1-1½ cups lima beans
   6 cups water or stock
-OR-
Meat
   2–3 pounds ground meat (chicken or liver)
   4–5 cups water

STEP 2 (BOTH)

Approximately one hour later, add the following to the above mixture:

   1 cup soy grits
   1 cup hulled barley
   9 cups water or stock

Simmer approximately 1-1½ hours, until barley is tender and beans are mushy.

STEP 3 (BOTH)

Add 4 cups chopped comfrey or greens. Cook 15–20 minutes.

STEP 4 (BOTH)

Stir the following into the above mixture, while still simmering if your dog is not used to a bean/grain diet, or remove from heat and add if your dog is used to a bean/grain diet:

   4 cups oat flakes
   4 cups wheat flakes (or any combination to total 8 cups)
   1 cup bran flakes
   1 cup cornmeal

Vegetarian
   ¾-1 cup vegetable oil
-OR-
Meat
   ½ cup oil

STEP 5 (BOTH)

Remove from heat and add the following, stirring in:

   ½ cup nutritional yeast
   2 teaspoons kelp or sea salt
   ½ cup milk powder
   ¾ cup “clovite” vitamins (or any vitamins, according to size)

STEP 6 (BOTH)

Cool uncovered and refrigerate.

CAT FOOD

This recipe will feed one cat for approximately 5–7 days. Always provide a dry crunch food for your cat’s good dental health.

STEP 1

Put into a covered kettle and simmer until cooked:

   1/3 cup beef liver
   3½ cups water

STEP 2

SAVE WATER. Remove liver and blend or chop fine. Return liver to water, and add the following to it:

   1½ cups ground beef (raw); crumble into water
   ¾ cup uncooked hulled barley (or ¾-1 cup brown rice; if you use rice, use less water)
   ¼–½ cup water

Cover and cook over very low heat, stirring occasionally. Cook approximately two hours. The barley will be very tender. This mixture will thicken in the last stage of cooking. Crack open the lid and stir often during the thickening stage.

STEP 3

Remove from heat and add the following:

   3 tablespoons dried comfrey
   1 teaspoon kelp
   1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
   ½–1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
   Vitamins according to weight

Mix thoroughly. Store in covered plastic bowl.

STEP 4

Cool and refrigerate. Makes approximately 4 cups.

If you have a neutered male cat, the authors recommend that you use the hulled barley and substitute 1 tablespoon dried nettle and 1 tablespoon dried parsley for the comfrey in Step 3, and state that this recipe is an excellent deterrent to the common problem of urinary blockages. (I had several neutered male cats in Colorado, and, coincidentally or not, they didn’t experience any health problems.)

The authors state that if your pet has any problems adjusting to a natural diet, combine it with their old food, gradually increasing the amount of new food.