Martin - The Canine Chef Cookbook

Table of Contents

Copyright 2015 by Debby Martin

the canine chef cookbook

by Debby Martin

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 9781498440004

All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author. The views expressed in this book are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Disclaimer: This publication is to provide information to help you prepare nutritious, homemade treats and meals for your dog(s). It is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent disease or illness or replace the expert care and specific nutritional advice provided by your veterinarian.

Even though I have done extensive research, you should always seek the advice of your veterinarian before changing your dogs dietary healthcare or adding any ingredients to your dogs food especially when underlying health conditions may exist. Many medical conditions require specific foods or prohibit specific foods.

Nutrition is just one part of a total holistic approach to your dogs health. To find a holistic veterinarian, please visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association online at www.ahvma.org.

KitchenAid is a trademark of the Whirlpool Corporation.

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acknowledgements

For all the furry foodies hungry for a tempting morsel filled with flavor and nutrition.

For all who love their furkids in the hope that they may experience the joy of making healthy meals and treats in their own kitchens.

My soul belongs to God who has filled me with a thirst for knowledge bringing a joy in the kitchen while creating these recipes. Without Him, I would truly be lost.

My heart belongs to Kirby who is my muse, my loyal side kick, my angel in fur. This little sous chef dearly loves good food and, as a picky connoisseur, ever pushes me to strive for the healthiest combinations of flavor to satisfy his taste tests.

A special thank you to my family, friends, and fans who have supported this endeavor. Without your questions and interest this journey would have meant so much less. Your devotion and loyalty are appreciated more than you will ever know.

Last but not least, thank you to everyone who purchases our cookbook because you are fulfilling my dream of feeding your beloved furkids the wholesome ingredients God has provided for vital health and longevity. What goes in really does shine out.

www.kirbythedorkie.com

This is where youll find new recipes, DIY projects, product reviews, and giveaways!

www.facebook.com/KirbytheDorkie

This is where Kirby interacts with his fans.

www.pinterest.com/KirbytheDorkie

foreword

I have known Kirby and his mama since he was a puppy. Kirby has been coming to my clinic for his necessary check-ups, vaccinations and preventatives for the past six years. He is a very healthy, happy and active dog. He maintains his weight and has healthy skin and coat. Kirby sees us most frequently for nail trims. Unfortunately, he dislikes these nail trims, so I dont think I am one of his favorite people.

Proper nutrition is the cornerstone in maximizing health, performance, longevity, and disease prevention. Nutrition touches all aspects of your pets health and is the key to the prevention and management of many diseases. Specific diets and certain supplements alone can be used to prevent and treat many ailments we see on a daily basis at the clinic. It is important to remember that improper diet is the root cause of several disorders by which pets are affected.

Like many pet guardians, Ms. Martin is concerned about additives and possible contaminants found in commercial pet foods. She chooses to make the majority of Kirbys meals at home from scratch. As long as the recipes are balanced and varied with the right amounts and types of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, homemade meals can be healthy and preferred by pets. While most dogs do fine on commercial kibble, some have intolerances and sensitivities to additives, preservatives, and certain proteins and grains. The majority of human food products have these same potentially dangerous additives in them. When thinking about your own health, you monitor your food and make decisions by reading food labels, buying fresh and organic, or making meals from known ingredients. Your pet will benefit from the same decisions and use of healthy diverse ingredients.

Be sure to provide your pet with a good quality multivitamin made specifically for his or her species, and if he is used to a specific diet, gradually change and introduce new foods over 3 to 7 days. If any specific food seems to upset his digestive tract, discontinue that food and try another. Remember treats are small snacks with calories that add up and work with your veterinarian if your pet has any underlying health issues. There are a lot of nutritious ingredients out there from which to choose. This cookbook contains a lot of wholesome recipes tested and approved by Kirby and many of our shelter dogs. Some of them sound good enough to try myself!

Rita Morris, DVM

Choctaw Animal Clinic

Choctaw County Animal Shelter

http://www.facebook.com/choctawanimalclinic

introduction

W hen Kirby came into my life I gladly purchased what I thought was the healthiest dog food and treats. Over time I became aware of the difference between bad, good, and exceptional dog foods. I then began preparing the majority of his meals using healthy, wholesome ingredients from my local grocery store. Next, I began creating his treats and soon discovered I was in love with the whole process.

Extensive research has led me to discover just what his body does and doesnt need to live a long, active and healthy life. I love discovering new ingredients that are dog friendly and blending just the right amount of each to create something that makes him drool. Through lots of trial and error, some creations are perfect the first time, some creations require tweaking, and sadly, some creations never make it past the nose test much less the taste test. A recipe must meet my strict criteria and pass Kirbys taste test before it can be considered a keeper.

These are the answers to some of the questions I have been asked over the years.

Why do I prepare the majority of Kirbys meals and treats? The dog food recalls, the dog treat recalls, and the fact that I was slowly poisoning Kirby with subpar, even dangerous, commercial dog food before I knew what I know now has led me to take great care as to what goes into his body for optimal nutrition and longevity of life. Not only is Kirby thriving with a beautiful coat, bright eyes and boundless energy, I have seen our foster dogs transform from the scraggly, malnourished states in which they arrived to healthy, energetic animals when they left for their forever homes.

Why do I follow a rotation diet to provide a variety in Kirbys diet? Varying wholesome real foods on a regular basis lessens the chance of developing food allergies many dogs develop to certain proteins or grains due to repeatedly eating the same foods over and over again. Also, rotating meat and vegetables exposes him to a healthier range of nutrient sources and inhibits the boredom factor. Imagine only eating a hamburger and fries with ice cream for dessert every day. Not only would that be unhealthy, just think of all the flavors and nutrients your body and taste buds are missing out on. Just as we humans have cravings, so do dogs. I know Kirbys favorite flavors and what he doesnt like. For example, he greatly dislikes carrots which are very nutritious and low fat. An easy remedy? Hide the chopped carrots in a meal or treat.