Dear Santa, I cannot live down
My little peccadillos…
Like maybe, stealing whole ham hocks
Or de-stuffing her pillows.
I only stole the turkey once,
The salmon once as well…
The chocolate, I soon learned was bad,
And out of bounds as well.
But there is always lots of cheese,
She wouldn’t miss at all…
Unless I give myself away
And leave my tennis ball…
But Christmas is a time for treats
To make the season bright…
But listen to the experts here…
We have to get it right!
And for that expert advice, please listen to my friend, Sally Cronin as she shares what’s best for us four legses at Christmastime…
I am delighted to be a guest of the wonderful Ani and her friend Sue in the lead up to Christmas… Ani is well known for her epicurean tendencies and I thought that I might share some of the treats for pets that have been created in our household at this time of year.
It is that time of year when we tend to throw caution out of the window along with any slimming books and fitness apps we might have (well some of us anyway).
Unfortunately, our pets are also treated to our sense of liberation and they end up eating many things they are not used to. Also their eating patterns might be thrown out the window, and in my experience their inner body clock is more accurate than a Rolex. This does not make for happy pets.
They are also likely be stressed by all the coming and goings, being handled by other family members and friends and being unable to take power naps at their appointed time.
This adds up to stomach upsets and it is not conducive to a convivial family Christmas dinner for the dog to upchuck just as you reach for the bread sauce!
On a serious note, in the case of certain foods such as chocolate, there can be both unfortunate side effects and in some cases the risk of death.
The rule of thumb is that if it is industrially produced food (and this included the majority of dry dog and cat foods) it is not good for your pet.
There are however, some fresh foods that we eat that are safe for your dog or cat and after the ones definitely to avoid, I will give you a list of those you can give to your pet as a treat.
N.B. If you are planning to change your dog’s current food be it dry or canned, do it gradually over a few days to ensure there is no adverse reactions. Later I will give you some options for your dog or cat should you choose to prepare their meals yourself.
Here is a list of some food additives and ingredients that can cause your pet harm and applies to cats as well as dogs
Top of the list, particularly at this time of year is Chocolate. It contains theobromine which is a stimulant which can affect several of the dog’s major organs and systems including the heart and kidneys… certainly the guts. Poisoning occurs fast and if your pet has a stomach upset, is vomiting and over active then you need to see a vet.
Grapes are often served on cheese boards and raisins are in a lot of baked goods at Christmas everywhere. They are not good for a pet’s kidneys and whilst I have known beer drinking dogs, anything alcoholic or containing caffeine is not good for animals.
Onions and garlic in small doses (I used garlic in moderation topically for our dogs in mosquito season) will probably not harm your pet but if they are exposed to them on a regular basis it can destroy their red blood cells resulting in anaemia.
Additives
Xylitol is a sweetener which found in many items around the home and in the store cupboard including sweets, chewing gum, many store bought cakes and biscuits and even in your toothpaste. Quite a few diet foods are laced with the stuff and it is not only toxic to our pets but is not really fit for human consumption either. In dogs it can result in vomiting and dizziness and even after only a few days of being given foods containing xylitol it can lead to liver failure.
Now for the good news…foods that both humans and pets (dogs and cats – your python might not be that interested) can enjoy.
- Plain boiled chicken cubes.
- Cooked pieces of offal such as chicken livers, pigs liver, heart (don’t overdo them just one or two at a time. Once cooked keep some in the fridge and freeze the others. Great for training as well as good for them.
- A hard boiled egg (they tend to like that warm)
- Homemade peanut butter (unsalted) and banana ice cubes.
- Dogs and cats are partial to sweet potato and if you cook in chunks until tender and pop in the fridge they will keep for three or four days. Sweet potato is also very good if they are suffering from a stomach upset.
- Other fruits include pieces of watermelon (I do tend to take the pips out) and small chunks of banana.
- Small amounts (postage stamp sized and only 3 pieces) cheese.
- Turkey sausages cut into chunks make a good training treat.
- Cottage Cheese placed in a small cup and held for the dog to eat…keeps them busy for ages whilst they it all out.
- Cats are partial to fish and plain canned sardines in water and give small bites sized pieces, and they also love raw prawns but make sure they are cleaned. I have used frozen shrimp and taken out a portion at a time and let them defrost for a few minutes.
- Homemade natural baked treats such as these oat, banana, coconut oil and peanut butter bones.Courtesy of Quaker
Moving your dog to home cooked food.
There are several reasons why I would not use dry pet food and here is an article that might clarify that opinion: 10 Reasons why dry food is bad for cats and dogs

As I mentioned earlier, this is not something to be undertaken lightly as it is important that your pet receives a balanced and nutritious diet. If you cannot face making your pets food at home then I do recommend that you buy a good quality canned food.. I recommend Butcher’s Canned dog food which I used to keep in the larder in case I ran out of fresh meals.
Also with younger animals it is a good idea to puree the food until they are able to chew and digest chunks of meat or fish easily.
I always cooked in bulk and although dogs are carnivores, if you are going to use a grain in their diet then I suggest rice.
On the subject of rice and dogs.
There are two main standards of rice – Human grade and feed grade which is what is usually put in commercial dog food. The feed grade is what is left over after human rice products are manufactured and usually has picked up chemicals and toxins during the process. Arsenic being one of the toxins that can be found it this grade.
If you use a high quality rice, and Basmati is actually more flavoursome than normal rice and has a distinctive aroma (attractive to dogs) due to 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in amounts around 12 times more than normal white rice. Rice and chicken is used also for dogs who have suffered stomach upsets as it helps absorb the moisture in the intestine.
All things meat including offal.
Provided it has not been salted, any meat that you consume is fine for your pet. And some fat is not going to cause them a problem. I usually used minced beef or chicken for Sam, with the addition of some bits of offal such as cooked chicken liver or pork liver, or chicken giblets. I also would cook off a whole beef heart and then slice and freeze in portions as this is excellent organ meat full of nutrients. All meats were cooked in plain water without any seasoning and I would use the stock from the meat to pour over his dinner to ensure he got all the goodness from the meat.
For cats the same applies although in smaller amounts (especially the rice), with the addition of fish (carefully deboned). I used to buy frozen cheap white fillets and cook in water, flake to check for bones and one fillet would last three meals for about 50p.
Vegetables.
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients and make a very welcome addition to a dog or cat’s meal. It is great for after a stomach upset but they seem to prefer to carrots and you can buy pre-cut frozen chunks and cook then mash, particularly for smaller breeds. If they will eat carrot then alternate with the sweet potato.
Hard boiled Eggs.
All the things that make eggs a healthy food for us applies to pets too. Eggs are an excellent source of choline and selenium, and a good source of high-quality protein, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B12, phosphorus and riboflavin.
I started up chopping finely and adding to Sam’s meal, but as he got older we discovered her preferred, just hard boiled, peeled and still warm. He would hold between his two front paws and delicately remove the top and nibble around until he released the yolk which he ate before finishing the white of the egg. Kept him busy for ten minutes.. any other food on the floor and he had it hoovered up in seconds.
Cottage Cheese
Although dogs in particular should not overdo the dairy, cottage cheese has been fermented and contains less lactose. It adds another low fat source of protein and flavour to a meal and small spoonful mixed through the meal is fine. With older dogs who might be prone to arthritis you can mix a teaspoon of flax oil to the cottage cheese.
Dairy and cats.
Most cats are lactose intolerant despite them heading rapidly towards a saucer of milk or cream. It results in stomach upsets so you need to test any new cat you might give a home to with a tablespoon of milk and watch for 24 hours to see if there is a reaction. If not then repeat with a little more in a saucer and again wait 24 hours. Even then I would suggest only using occasionally for a treat. Plain water should always be down next to a food bowl.
I used to mix the different foods through to make a blend but then discovered that the secret to a food dinner for dogs and cats was the same as humans… rice, then the ground meat with some pieces of offal with sweet potato on the side and topped off by cottage cheese and flax oil.
Counting the Cost
You might think that all this works out very expensively. And whilst not as convenient as buying canned food, it worked out cheaper in the end, and I knew exactly what Sam was eating each day. I would get off cuts from the butcher at half the price, buy mince and chicken reduced on their sell by date and freeze then cook, hearts are no longer a popular family dinner (mock goose) and butchers will usually let you have cheaply… Check you local frozen food outlet for their specials on meat and chicken.
Time wise I only cooked the protein and the eggs once a week and the rice every three days. I also cooked portions and froze in portion sized containers enough to last a week if needed.
Health wise.. I had the satisfaction of knowing that he passed his medicals with flying colours, his coat was glossy and his eyes bright. He never needed to scavenge or beg for food because he was getting enough food of the right kind to satisfy his hunger and his body’s nutritional needs.
Don’t forget to do your own research before moving your dog to home cooked food (raw is a different subject for another day). Do phase any food changes in slowly, and experiment to find out what your pet’s favourites are. They have much keener smell receptors and taste buds than we do and deserve to enjoy their food.
They give far more back than they receive.
Thank you to Ani and Sue for inviting me over and I wish you a very happy December and holidays.. and as they say over here.. A very Happy Christmas.
I am an indie author and proud to be one. My greatest pleasure comes from those readers who enjoy my take on health, characters and twisted endings… and of course come back for more.
As a writer I know how important it is to have help in marketing books.. as important as my own promotion is, I believe it is important to support others. I offer a number of FREE promotional opportunities on my blog and linked to my social media.
My new release, a collection of short stories and poetry will be available in December 2020.
A Selection of my books
If you would like to browse by health books and fiction you can find them here: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019-2020/
Social Media Links
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/sallycronin1
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Great advice and lovely photos Sally.
Ani isn’t Sally the nicest lady.
Love Ruby 💜
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Thanks Willow and Ruby… lovely to be at the party with Ani and her friends…💜💜
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❤
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Yes indeed 💜
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She is, Willow. And always good advice 🙂 x
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Yes indeed 💜
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
PET CARERS PLEASE READ
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Thanks, Chris. Had to rescue this from the spam folder!
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😱 – You’re welcome, Sue, important information – especially for new carers 🤗❤️🤗
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Absolutely, Chris. X
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Thanks for sharing Chris..♥♥
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👍🤗❤️🤗
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This is a fantastic post, Ani and Sally. My poor cats don’t get any different food over the Christmas period. They have a horrible habit of puking up anything additional. I know for a fact that Push-Push doesn’t like the smell of gingerbread.
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Thanks Robbie…love that photo of Push-Push and the Gingerbread you sent over… Even at 10 Sam would sniff everything I gave him including his favourites .. not taking any chances lol.. 💜💜
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
I am thrilled to be over with Ani, on the Small Dog’s Blog for her Christmas party going on all through December…and some good and bad things for pets to eat over Christmas…I hope you will head over and join the party…Thanks to Sue Vincent and Ani.
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Thank you so much Ani and Sue for inviting me to the party, even if I malign lovely chocolate.. and loved the introductory verse…time to get the party started.. love and hugs 🐶🍰💜
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Ani does think it is unfair that chocolate should be out of bounds… 😉 x
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Lol.. Ani and me both… ♥
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Me too 😉
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These days we all should take more care with what we eat, and that includes all of our furry friends…
Lovely, helpful post, Sally!
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I’m taking good care of my diet… not that it seems to be helping 😉
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Anita is having the same trouble. It has to be the meds!
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Tell me about it….
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Thanks Jaye and Anita.. and happy start to the festivities…hugsxx
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Great advice. Dot is a bit of a garbage hound and will eat just about anything so we have to watch her. But she spits out raisins! She loves chicken the best.
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Ani will try most things too, so I have to be careful…
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Thanks Darlene.. and sounds like Dot has the right approach to raisins and who doesn’t love chicken…hugsxx
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Great advice for pet owners. Thank you Sally! Tried to re-blog this but it wouldn’t work 😦
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I’m finding i have to refresh pages before they will reboot , for some strange reason.
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Thanks Lucinda.. I managed to earlier but there was a massive glitch yesterday and it may still be running through the system.. hugsx
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Ruff tends to inhale his food and worry later about how it tastes. Sadly Smidgeon is fatter than she should be (I can’t feel her ribs easily… well. not at all). I suspect this crept up when my husband was giving her the same sized treats and dog biscuits as he was giving Pickle (who was small for a Staffie but three times Smidgeon’s size).
You’d think it would be easier than losing weight myself but she looks at me as if I’m starving her, and it’s proving very hard to shift when she eats (should eat) so little to cut down on.
Lesson – don’t over feed in the first place (or allow family to).
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Ani has a treat problem. I try to stick with just low fat/calorie chicken treats… but ‘some’ nameless people keep giving in to the big brown eyes…
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It is very hard to resist them Cathy, especially when their internal clock is so accurate. Exercise especially at this time of year is as easy as in the dryer months as even playing in the garden is drenching. Still, they sound like lovely dogs and they have a wonderful home and lots of love.. that is key..x
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What a great post, Sally and Sue. I learned a lot and enjoyed the photos. Thank you! 💗
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Sally always shares useful information. ❤
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Thanks Gwen.. delighted you enjoyed…hugsx
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Great advice. I’ve never offered my cat cottage cheese but she loves yoghurt.
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So does Ani.
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If she enjoys that she might like the cottage cheese.. they surprise us sometimes with their taste preferences…xxx
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Ani likes custard, though I’m not sure she should 😉
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A little is not going to do her any harm.. xx
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She tends to get what she likes… in smaller quantities than she would like 😉 xx
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That sounds a bit like my life..♥
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😀 ❤
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A wonderful poem from Ani, and wonderfully informative post from Sally. I think we forget sometimes that dogs aren’t people… at least when it comes to diets. Having learned something about Sam, I smiled at the chicken, sausage, and cheese – a few favorites of Ani’s too. 🙂
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Thanks Diana and I agree a lovely poem from Ani…I still feel guilty when I enjoy a piece of mature cheddar and there are no hopeful eyes on me to make sure I leave a piece..hugsxx
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🙂 No begging for “more.”
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Ani doesn’t beg. She just waits in the sure and certain knowledge that we can’t resist 😉
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It’s those puppy-dog eyes. They’re irresistible.
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And she knows it…
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Lol.. he learnt that work very quickly…♥
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I’m sure Ani could nip over to help out 😉
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She would be most welcome ♥
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I know ❤
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Definitely some of Ani’s favourites 🙂
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Great way to kick off the series with Sally’s worthy advice for pet lovers. ❤
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Thanks Debby.. a lovely party here at Ani’s and great guests which I am looking forward to… ♥
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❤
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Especially at this time of year ❤
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Or this time of the world. ❤
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Lots of good advice here from Sally two legs. Going to keep this and give it to Adele esp the food bits. Much paw love, Dante the Dawg. xxx
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Always good advice from Sally, Dante. I made sure mine read it twice 😉 xx
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❤
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Thanks Dante and hugs to Adele..♥
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❤
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Dear Ani, Sally has the best advice. Sam knows, too.
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I know 🙂
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🙂
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Thanks for the lovely vote of confidence Jennie..hugs xx♥
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A very informative article.
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Thanks very much Danny…xx
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Great advice from Sally! But i know why Ani is sharing. She wants to get the beef and roast. We fourleggers shall eat the veggies instead. 😉 Michael
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Ani just likes to share our food, whatever it is… 😉
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Thanks Michael, I am sure Ani would not say no to that arrangement lol.. hugsx
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I am also sure, Sally! Lol Maybe the next BlogersBash meeting should have a extra part with the fourlegged muses. 😉
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That would be a good idea if there is another one Michael…probably best to be virtual for a while..xx
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Yes, lets make a Zoom session, but also invite the talking parrot, from the yesterdays posting.:-)
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And the one who swears like a trooper…that should liven up the proceedings lol..xx
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:-))
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Gosh, what a mistake! Lol “twoleggers”. I am really not able feeling like a fourlegger. Lol
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Hehe!!!
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:-))
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🙂
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:-))
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I did wonder where the conversation was going Michael….lol…xx
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Lol – I have an excuse, it was somehow early in the morning. :-))
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lol..x
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:-))
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