Pampered POOCH

Festive Foods For Your Dog This Holiday Season

Bring on the list-making, gift-giving, partygoing time of year. The holiday season would also feel incomplete without delicious dishes to keep everyone feeling merry and bright. By everyone, that includes canine companions, too.

Consider this list of pup- and pet-parentapproved festive foods, as well as those to avoid, from the experts at Petcurean, makers of premium quality, nutrient-rich food for pets:

Savor Steamed Vegetables

Holiday feasts are all about the side dishes. Dogs can enjoy their own sides with plain vegetables like steamed green beans or carrots, making for a flavorful, nutritious addition to their meals. Vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals and steaming them allows more of the nutrients to be retained while also supporting proper digestion. Be sure to chop veggies into small pieces and stay clear of seasoning or sauce.

Pass the Pumpkin

A staple of holiday feasts, pumpkin is not off the table for pups to enjoy. In fact, pumpkin is a superfood full of nutrients. Feeding dogs cooked or plain canned pumpkin can also be beneficial for their digestion because pumpkin contains fiber – just be sure to serve it free of seasonings like sugar and spices.

Say No to Chocolate

There’s no way to sugarcoat it –chocolate is a no-go for dogs. The presence of both caffeine and a chemical called theobromine makes chocolate toxic to dogs because they can’t metabolize them the way humans can. If ingested, chocolate can lead to a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, seizures and more. If ingested, pet parents should monitor their pup closely and check with a veterinarian.

Enjoy Fresh Meats

When cooked, fresh meat such as chicken, turkey, pork or beef can satisfy cravings while also offering pups a nutritious meal that is easy to digest. Pet parents can also choose a kibble made with fresh meats as a convenient option that supports dogs’ overall wellness, such as Now Fresh Good Gravy (available on Amazon and Chewy.com), which is made with easily digested fresh meats and nutrient-dense fruits and veggies, and by adding water, a delicious bone broth gravy is created for your pup to enjoy.

Avoid Table Scraps

For many reasons, it’s best to skip the table scraps. Not only could an allergen or toxin be present that pet parents may not be aware of, there are several other health risks associated with feeding dogs table scraps, such as digestive issues (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) and even more serious problems like pancreatitis. Plus, giving dogs caloriedense food can contribute to obesity. Just like their pet parents, pups deserve to indulge a little over the holidays, but it’s important to ensure what they eat leaves them feeling great. Remember to always check with a veterinarian about any concerns, especially when introducing new foods.

Courtesy: Petcurean and Family Features

With a team of 30 urologists, two radiation oncologists, and an interventional radiologist, they are deeply rooted in the community and committed to offering world-class care at locations you trust. They know that when it comes to your health, convenience matters — especially when that convenience goes hand-in-hand with the expertise of a team that has performed more than 10,000 robotic surgeries since 2002.

At Urology Partners of North Texas (UPNT), they believe in more than just treating medical conditions — they believe in caring for their neighbors. With nine offices across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, they’re committed to offering innovative, compassionate care that’s easily accessible, whether you’re dealing with common urological issues or more complex conditions like prostate cancer.

With a team of 30 urologists, two radiation oncologists, and an interventional radiologist, they are deeply rooted in the community and committed to offering world-class care at locations you trust. They know that when it comes to your health, convenience matters — especially when that convenience goes hand-in-hand with the expertise of a team that has performed more than 10,000 robotic surgeries since 2002.

Your Local Experts In Cancer Care

When it comes to prostate cancer and other urological cancers, the doctors at UPNT realize the importance of specialized care. That’s why they are proud to have Dr. Peter Lanasa in Arlington and Dr. Jerry Barker in Fort Worth — both of whom are radiation oncologists at Texas Cancer Specialists (TCS) and have spent the last 15+ years treating thousands of cancer patients across North Texas.

Dr. Lanasa leads the radiation oncology center at Texas Cancer Specialists at USMD Hospital Arlington, and Dr. Barker heads the Texas Cancer Specialists center in Fort Worth. Each is an expert in highly targeted radiation treatments, offering innovative care for prostate cancer and a range of other cancers. At TCS, the radiation oncology team works closely with each patient, crafting personalized care plans aimed at achieving the very best outcomes.

Minimally Invasive Treatments For Bph

Many men experience benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as they age, and it can be a frustrating condition to manage. To help, UPNT offers advanced, minimally invasive solutions to get you back to living comfortably and feeling more like yourself.

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