Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets…
March 5, 2008 by Heather R.
Filed under Pets
… and that makes me nervous. Ms. Ray has a special airing this Saturday, March 8 at 9pm on the Food Network where she’ll be sharing recipes for your four-legged friends. She’s done small segments in the past in which she’s cooked a burger or something similar for her dog during an episode, but has pulled a bit of flack over it because she puts onion and garlic in them, both of which are toxic to dogs and cats.
True, it can be argued that there’s not a lot going into a recipe, but why even take that risk? Why get your dog used to people food anyway? (It bears mentioning that there’s a difference between healthily cooked pet food versus what a human thinks should taste good loaded with onions, cheese, salt, and wine – see link below.)
She’s also mentioned several times over the years that her dogs eat a lot of people food in general (and that link is confusing – she says she’d order hamburgers for her dog without onions but then in the following recipe say she’d grate onions for their flavor because the dog couldn’t process them otherwise, so the dog’s still getting it).
What do you think? Will you watch? Are you a fan of Rachael’s methods?
I’ll watch for the cute puppies – not for the recipes.
I have read that garlic is not safe, and yet a lot of the dog biscuits I see for sale have garlic as a flavoring, so I am not sure what to believe.
Jeff – I agree! At the very least I’ve heard that other Food Network regulars will have their pets there as well, so that’ll be fun to watch.
Pidgeon – It is confusing. I’m not sure if garlic flavoring is the same as something like garlic powder. Hmm – something to go look up now
I have used garlic in my dogs homemade foods and treats as I have been told by my vet that it is a natural way to help rid my pets of worms and parisites. One of my dogs was tested and diagnosed and have a small clove of garlic added to his food every other day for a week then 3 times a week for several more went back in and had no more worms. It has never bothered my animals and the homemade foods actually are doing better with there coat, they are happier, and love their food more.
They eat veggies also in their good and love them.
Hi Tracy! Thank you for commenting! I’ve read that garlic is used as a natural flea and tick remedy and that it’d have to be used in high quantities to make your pet sick. I’m glad it’s worked for your dogs! I too prefer natural remedies over medication if possible, and especially if it’s supervised by a vet who’s open minded about it as well!
I have been making my dog’s food for over a year and he is doing great. No onions, however, and a little garlic for the reasons stated above. I do not add any seasonings except fresh herbs, parsley, rosemary, thyme etc. I have only recently bought some dry dog food only if it does not contain glutens and by-products (UGH!). After doing the research on what goes into commercial dog food, I could not in good concience feed him a mediocre dog food.
I cook ground turkey, lean ground beef, oatmeal, veggies, quinoa, brown rice or barley and eggs. Freeze in bags and he loves it.
Eva