Bell Peppers for Dogs, The Importance of Zinc and Special Holiday Recipes
WIishing holiday cheer to you and your loved ones!
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.”
Milan Kundera
There’s something special about lazy days at home. When I’m comfortable and content with no where to go, I usually start to make something yummy. Even if it takes a long time or doesn’t turn out right, the fun for me is the process. I try to enjoy every step. That’s what led me to making these videos. Thank you for watching, sharing and commenting.
But sometimes, even though I try to ignore them, the comments can really be triggering. Every day there is a new “expert” on pancreatitis, or toxic dog foods, or colon cancer. The most recent one claimed bell peppers are toxic to dogs because they have solanine in them. The AKC actually states that bell peppers pack a “nutritional punch.” In moderation, they make a great addition to a pups diet.
It is true that solanine can be toxic for dogs and people for that matter. But it’s the amount that creates the toxicity, and most foods are very low in solanine. The highest levels are found in potatoes, especially the leaves and stems. But even potatoes are fine for dogs and people in moderation, so fear not. We’ll keep busting these dog food myths.
On to the recipes:
Since our last email I released videos on Puptucky Fried Chicken and Soufflé Pancakes. Both the recipes are available now exclusively to premium subscribers. Thank you so much for your support!
Puptucky "Fried" Chicken
A number of people were interested to know why I soaked the bacon in water before roasting on the griddle. I do this mostly to remove the salt. Sodium requirements for dogs are much lower than people. (They don’t sweat!) So I make sure to remove as much excess salt as possible. I do this for any salted foods and seafoods to reduce the amount that the pups get. Oysters are a staple for us because they are one of they highest zinc containing foods, but because they come from the sea, they can contain a lot of sodium. So, in order to reduce any risks, I soak the oysters first. Just 5-10 minutes in warm water is usually enough to get out most of the salt.
Why is zinc so important
Many common foods are short on zinc. For example chicken and turkey have less than half the amount of zinc found in beef (which is why I prefer beef). Deficiencies in zinc can cause skin and coat problems and more severe cases of zinc deficiency can cause kidney failure, wasting, and eye disease. This is why most commercial dog foods are fortified with zinc additives.
Unfortunately, it’s often not enough nor in the right form. Zinc from organic sources (naturally occurring in food) is far more easily digestible that those from additives. According to The Journal of Nutrition, dogs meeting their zinc requirement through mineral supplements can still show signs of deficiency. That same paper showed organic sources increase zinc levels significantly more than zinc oxide, a common food additive. In another double-blind controlled study dogs supplemented with linoleic acid and zinc had significantly better coat quality and better water retention in their skin. So, oysters are a common ingredient in Cedric and Edith’s food to help keep their coats shiny and their skin healthy. That’s it for this week.
Have a great break everyone!
Joelle and Cedric