Andhra Pradesh, May 01: As The mercury rises, most dogs tend to lose their appetite.
Finding a menu that tantalises their taste buds becomes quite a challenge.
Time to put aside the dry nibbles and soup and rice. Instead, here are a few recipes, especially created for your pooch, sure to put the wag back in his tail.
Custard Ingredients: Milk:0.5 litre, bread: five slices, sugar: 4 tbs, salt:One- fourth tbs, eggs: 3 Method: Beat the eggs with milk, sugar and salt. Mix the bread and transfer the blend into a baking dish and bake for half an hour. Refrigerate after it cools. The dish will last a day.
Nutritional value: Eggs are a good source of protein as they are said to be one of the most concentrated forms of protein that a dog can receive along with minerals, calcium and necessary vitamins. Egg yolks, especially, are important if the dog has skin ailments, not uncommon in the hot months.
Groundnut cookies Ingredients: Whole-wheat flour: 1 ½ cup, powdered groundnuts: ¼ cup, wheat germ: ¼ cup, oats: ¼ cup, jaggery: ¼ cup, oil: ¼ cup Method: Mix all the above ingredients with enough water to form a smooth dough. Divide the dough into small balls and shape each into a cookie.
Place on a cookie sheet one-inch apart, and bake till done in a moderately heated oven for 20 minutes. After cooling, store the cookies in an airtight container. They will remain fresh for at least one week.
Nutritional value: Groundnuts are said to contain the highest percentage of protein of all nuts, hence making them an ideal treat, so long as your fur ball does not need to cut down on his calories. A high concentration of unsaturated good fats can also do its bit to add luster the dog’s coat.
Veggie biscuits Ingredients: Whole-wheat flour: one-and-half cup, grated carrots, cabbage, pumpkin and potato:three- fourth cup, grated cheese: half cup, oil: 75 ml, milk to bind Method: Knead all the ingredients into a dough. Divide the dough into small balls and shape into biscuits. Bake in a moderately heated oven for 15 minutes.
Lasts for two days when refrigerated.
Nutritional value: Vegetables are a good source of fibre, essential vitamins and minerals for your pooch. Potatoes provide adequate amounts of carbohydrates and vitamins, while carrots, of course, benefit the eyesight. They are also said to fight the occurrence of tumours, common in older dogs. The nutrients found in pumpkin boost a dog’s immune system, as well as act as home remedy for both constipation and diarrhoea.
Banana rolls Ingredients: Whole-wheat flour: 5 cups, pureed bananas: 2 cups, baking soda: ½ tbs, egg: 1, margarine: onefourth cup Method: Mix all the ingredients into a consistent dough. Shape the dough into logs. Place on a pre-heated greased baking tray and bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, cool for 10 minutes.
Cut into half inch thick slices. Replace in the baking tray and bake for another 20 minutes. If refrigerated these rolls last for two days.
Nutritional value: Bananas contain antioxidants that result in better skin and fur for dogs, as well as aid in keeping old age related diseases at bay. But make sure you give your pooch the fruit in moderation, as too much, too soon, could upset its tummy.
—Agencies