As a dog parent, have you ever felt guilty about throwing away food? If the answer is yes we have a solution for you: UPCYCLING! Upcycling is the process of taking something that would have been thrown away and turning it into something useful. In this case, we're talking about upcycling food ingredients into homemade meals and treats for your dog. Not only does this reduce food waste, but it also provides healthy nutrients for your dog. In this blog post, we'll explore different fruits and vegetables to upcycle for your dog, how to reduce food waste at home, and ways to have a more sustainable & healthy dog.
Fruits & Vegetables that you can Upcycle into your Dog’s Home-Prepared Meals
One of the easiest ways to start upcycling your dog's food is by using fruits and vegetables that are past their prime but still safe for consumption. For example, don't toss out those overly ripe bananas; mash them up and mix them into your dog's homemade treats for a natural sweetener. You can bake sweet potato peels in the oven until crispy and use them as a tasty and healthy snack for your dog. Other great options for dog food include carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, broccoli, spinach, berries and apples. These can be steamed or dehydrated and added to your dog's meals for an extra boost of flavour and nutrition. Or puree & freeze them into vitamin cubes.
Homemade Applesauce for Dogs
One of our favorite recipes is making a batch of simple doggy applesauce by steaming cut apples with the peels with water then blending into a puree and freezing them into portions.
Next time you’re about to toss a fruit or vegetable in the compost, think about how I can use this for my dog’s meals or treats. Just be sure to always research which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog, as some can be toxic and never feed rotten food.
Remember treats and toppers should account for about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Reducing food waste at home is a great way to have a more sustainable lifestyle for both you and your dog plus the added bonus of giving your dog extra nutrients.
Reducing Food Waste Also Saves Money
Reducing food waste doesn't just benefit the environment; it also saves you money! Reusing what you already have instead of buying pricey dog treats is not only healthy but smart. If you find that you have leftover ingredients from a recipe, try incorporating them into your dog's meals or treats. Another option is to freeze excess food before it goes bad. This is especially helpful when you have large containers of fresh produce that you won't be able to finish before it spoils. We also frequently shop on the produce clearance rack of bruised fruits and vegetables to cook for our dogs. Our pups can’t tell if that apple had a bruise or if the red pepper was deformed.
Benefits of Upcycling for Your Dog
Not only is upcycling a more sustainable and affordable option, but it also benefits your dog. Homemade meals and treats are often healthier than store-bought options, as you have control over the ingredients. By upcycling fruits and vegetables, you can provide a variety of nutrients and flavours that your dog might not get from their regular dog food & treats. Plus, making meals and treats at home can strengthen the bond between you and your dog, as nothing says I love you more than home cooking.
Dog Child Meal Mixes
Did you know that Dog Child Meal Mixes have upcycled human-grade fruits and vegetables in them? These are fruits and vegetables that are perfectly nutritious and healthy but might be in different shapes. These healthy veggies and fruit are then freeze-dried or dehydrated to preserve their nutrients. Check out our Mixed Veggie Meal Mix which has upcycled kale, sweet potato, broccoli and parsley. Best of all you can home cook for your dog in less than 15 minutes a week with the confidence they are getting all the nutrients they need.
Looking for More Information on Safe Fruits & Vegetables for your dog check out our blogs below:
What Vegetable Peels & Stalks Are Safe and Not Safe for Your Dog?
What Fruit Peels & Stems Are Safe and Not Safe for Your Dog?
At Dog Child, we want to showcase different ways to incorporate upcycled ingredients into your dog's meal. Below are a couple of our favourite recipes.
Peanut Butter Strawberry Top Ice Cream
