Healthy Treats for Health Conditions
During the holidays it is quite common for pet owners to want to include their pets in the holiday festivities which usually includes special themed treats. Although it is true that our pets really do not know the difference between Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any other day of the week, it is a fun ritual that many pet parents enjoy partaking in. For pet owners with pets who are experiencing chronic health conditions, there can be some serious anxiety and fear around introducing new foods. As a Canine & Feline Nutritionist that specializes in Functional Food Therapy and Disease Management Diets, I understand this and want to provide some not only SAFE, but healthful treat options for pets experiencing; IBD, HUA, Pancreatitis, Allergies, CKD, and Yeast…
Keep in mind that while these treats focus on ingredients that are generally beneficial and well-tolerated for pets with these conditions, nutrition is specific to each pet. Take things slow, and consult your pets health team if you are currently in an active health or nutrition program and working on specific problems. Since I am writing this on October 30th, and Halloween is tomorrow these are centered around that theme using whole-food ingredients that are commonly used in both food therapy and disease management diets for these conditions. I will post links to themed molds to use for each below if you enjoy that extra element of festivity!
HUA (Hyperuricosuria) Friendly Treats
These treats are low-purine, with a minimal renal acid load and are hydrating!
Ingredients:
2 oz Filtered Water or Coconut Water
5 oz Sweet Potato (can be canned or baked) OR Steamed Carrots
1oz of Cottage Cheese OR Goat Milk Yogurt
1 Chicken or Duck Egg
1/4 tsp of Turmeric or Ginger (Fresh is best, but dried is also fine)
2oz of Kale OR Bok Choy OR WHOLE Asparagus
Blend your liquid, and Turmeric with your base of either sweet potato or steamed carrots until THICK and smooth, add more liquid if needed and set aside. Then mix your chosen greens, ginger (if you chose that), together with enough liquid to blend smoothly. Mix your chosen dairy with the egg until smooth. Carefully spoon in your orange mixture into the mold, careful to keep it from entering the stem portion of the mold, leaving enough room to then add your dairy and egg mixture as the last layer and set in the freezer for 20-30 minutes, remove from the freezer and use a dropper or syringe to fill in the stem portion of the mold with your green mixture. Lastly, add your dairy egg mixture to the top and Freeze for 3-4 hours and allow them to enjoy! Although they are very cute in frozen form, the body does not like cold food - it is rough on digestion, would not recommend feeding the treat frozen daily, allow to thaw before feeding! Any leftover product can be mixed together and frozen for up to 30 days and used as a meal topper.
IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) also Pancreatitis Friendly
These treats are low fat, easy to digest and anti-inflammatory, and includes ingredients that aid in digestion. They are also rich in B Vitamins. If your pet has a known or suspected sensitivity to one of the ingredients, exchange it for one of the other options.
Ingredients:
2oz of Aloe Vera Juice or Bone Broth
1/2 oz of Nettle Tea or Chamomile Tea (make sure those are the only ingredients and allow to cool)
1 Duck or Chicken Egg
5oz of Pumpkin or Sweet Potato (cooked or canned)
1/8 tsp Ginger or Turmeric (Ginger is preferred, fresh is best but dried can be used)
1 tsp of Fennel (the herb - fresh is best)
1/2 tsp or Thyme or Mint (fresh is best)
1 oz Broccoli or Spinach
1/4 tsp Psyllium Husk
Blend your base liquid, and Ginger/Turmeric, egg, and psyllium husk with your base of either sweet potato or steamed pumpkin until THICK and smooth, add more liquid if needed and set aside. Then mix your chosen greens, and herbs, together with enough cooled tea to blend smoothly. Carefully spoon in your orange mixture into the mold, careful to keep it from entering the stem portion of the mold, leaving enough room to then add your green mixture as the last layer and set in the freezer for 20-30 minutes, remove from the freezer and use a dropper or syringe to fill in the stem portion of the mold with your green mixture and cover put a thin layer of the green mixture as the last layer. Freeze for 3-4 hours and allow them to enjoy! Although they are very cute in frozen form, the body does not like cold food - it is rough on digestion, would not recommend feeding the treat frozen, allow to thaw before feeding! Any leftover product can be mixed together and frozen for up to 30 days and used as a meal topper occasionally.
Yeast Treats for your little Smelly Beast ;)
These contain foods that help expel and inhibit yeast growth! If your pet has a sensitivity to one of the ingredients, exchange it for another listed option.
Ingredients:
2 oz of Filtered Water or Bone Broth (WITHOUT ACV)
1 oz of Echinacea Tea (make sure this is the only ingredient)
1 tsp unrefined Coconut Oil
1/8 tsp Cinnamon or Garlic (safe for dogs that have no anemic tendencies)
1 oz Dandelion Greens
1/2 oz Broccoli Sprouts (optional)
1 oz Berries (Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries are all fine)
Optional, will increase palatability - 1-2 oz of wild-caught Salmon (can be canned - do not give raw).
Blend all ingredients together, and pour into molds, freeze for 3-4 hours, and feed. Although they are cute frozen, I do not recommend feeding cold food to dogs it is rough on digestion. Thaw and feed. The dark color would be perfect for bat, skull or head stone molds for halloween. Any leftover product can be mixed together and frozen for up to 30 days and used as a meal topper occasionally.
Molds:
Mixed Molds: https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Silicone-Molds-Tombstones-Chocolate/dp/B0DFLYTN9W/ref=sr_1_23?crid=363KZJ3S2U93X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w-vr6ih4o2d1CSK_Y5EvyDgeFfaDeX718MyL5ZhigNG5Mpqeh_AXVGlwl9wzcDJnNEQxPERV48BtpYi419W3mfP3byFONf0RBSTJmZpAral5fBSnDd0FGLcMUIXJuVvFX_etQRbM8rRt6ZtMb_tVmG8dhDT84rgRK4JtkCGjPHToiU1HxV43vggZabWw_oZae3HPAgaFbvt4910YirsRPFN8gd7VkNO2ILInhWNvnPpZd9ffu8Gy1taIb82emULHoK9RvzbzZ2ltKDtamE7W5kZY9InUSXXHIpQl8nHs1zA._yuXz5eDW8YkSHsFEe2XPaiEU1zC43O3OMhbPeNP57Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=halloween+bat+molds&qid=1730324385&sprefix=halloween+bat+mold%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-23
Allergies
Since triggers are different pet to pet these treats focus on low-histamine foods with cooling properties. This recipe is rich in antioxidants and omega 3s.
Ingredients:
1 tsp of Flaxseed / 1/2 tsp flaxseed oil or 1 tsp Hemp Hearts
1 Pasture Raised Duck Egg or Pasture Raised Chicken Egg if that isn’t a trigger for your pet
2 oz of Decaf Green Tea, brewed and cooled
1/2 oz of Coconut Water or Pure Aloe Vera Juice
1 Tsp of Parsley (Fresh is best)
1-2 oz of Bok Choy aka Pak Choi or Celery
3 oz of Pumpkin or Butternut Squash (It’s best to avoid canned products which have higher histamine, freshly baked is best)
Blend your base cooled tea, egg, oil or seeds, with your base of either Pumpkin or Butternut Squash until THICK and smooth, add more liquid if needed and set aside. Then mix your chosen greens, and herbs, together with enough Coconut Water or Aloe Juice to blend smoothly. Carefully spoon in your orange mixture into the mold, careful to keep it from entering the stem portion of the mold, leaving enough room to then add your green mixture as the last layer and set in the freezer for 20-30 minutes, remove from the freezer and use a dropper or syringe to fill in the stem portion of the mold with your green mixture and cover put a thin layer of the green mixture as the last layer. Freeze for 3-4 hours and allow them to enjoy! Although they are very cute in frozen form, the body does not like cold food - it is rough on digestion, would not recommend feeding the treat frozen, allow to thaw before feeding! Any leftover product can be mixed together and frozen for up to 30 days and used as a meal topper occasionally.
Enjoy!
Written By;
Autumn Somers
Certified Canine & Feline Nutritionist
Food Therapy & Disease Management Diets
Custom Recipes, Wellness Plans & Support
Your Pet’s Nutritionist
Autumn is a Certified Canine & Feline Nutritionist who has been working in the Pet Industry for nearly a decade. Professionally, Autumn has been nutrition counseling for the past 8+ years. She was certified through the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies and is trained in Diet Formulation, Food Therapy and Disease Management Diets. Autumn specializes in formulating complete and balanced recipes with a focus on biologically appropriate whole foods, and teaching pet owners how to make their pets food at home and responsibly monitor their pets health. Autumn has had the unique opportunity to study under a wide variety of both, conventional, integrative and holistic veterinary practitioners and board certified veterinary nutritionists. Over the past decade Autumn has helped thousands of pet parents improve their pets diets either by assisting them in finding the right premade food from a trustworthy brand for their pet, or by formulating diets specifically to the needs of each pet.