Fido’s Festive Turkey & Cranberry Delight

This festive season, why not include your dog in the holiday feast with a nutritious, homemade meal? Our Fido’s Festive Turkey Bites recipe is packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients like turkey mince, organ meats, cranberries, and pumpkin—perfect for a special Christmas dinner your pup will love!

Home-cooked meals are a great way to spoil your dog while ensuring they get the nutrients they need. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to store-bought food or want to make this Christmas extra special, this recipe is the perfect choice! Remember, variety is key, so meals like this should be part of a balanced diet. Adjust portion sizes to your dog’s needs and enjoy the joy of including them in your holiday celebrations.

This festive recipe is based on a 500g tray of turkey mince, but if you’re looking to make a 1kg batch, you can scale it up by doubling each ingredient.

Ingredients:

• 500g of Turkey Mince (Ground Turkey)

• 50g of Lamb Kidney

• 50g of Beef Liver

• 60g of Canned Oysters (Smoked is fine or swap for mackerel or sardines)

• 2 Egg Yolks

• 5g of Ground Eggshells (Search online for a simple way to make your own)

• 100g of Blended Cranberries

• 20g of Fresh Parsley

• 50g of Cooked pumpkin (or sweet potatoes)

• 2g of Ground Ceylon Cinnamon (Ceylon is preferred for its health benefits)

• 0.3g of Himalayan Crystal Salt (Essential for both you and your dog)

• 5g of Hempseed Oil (Available at most health food stores)

• 1g of Kelp Powder

Holiday Recipe Directions

1. Meat Preparation: This recipe can be fed raw or cooked . Always follow safe food handling practices, including washing your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw meat. Clean all surfaces with hot, soapy water after cutting raw meats.

2. Storing Leftovers: Any leftovers that won’t be fed within 72 hours should be pre-portioned and frozen. For the best nutritional value, frozen food should be used within 3 months.

3. Chopping Organ Meats: For even distribution, finely chop the beef liver and spleen before adding them to the recipe.

4. Preparation of Produce and Supplements: To ensure optimal digestibility and nutrient absorption, finely chop all nuts, seeds, grains, vegetables, and any tablet-based supplements. A food processor or coffee grinder works wonders for this step.

5. Mixing Fine Supplements: Thoroughly mix fine powders, supplements, and oils into the meal upon serving to ensure even distribution. If you’re using capsule-based supplements, open them up and sprinkle the contents over the mixture to ensure even distribution at mealtime.

6. Portioning: This recipe makes approximately 1kg of food. Follow the BARF principles for portion sizes based on your dog’s weight (typically 2.5-3% of body weight). Keep in mind that each dog is unique, so adjust portions as needed.

7. Important Note: This recipe is not intended to be a complete and balanced meal on its own and should not be fed long-term. Always consult with a veterinarian or canine nutritionist to ensure your dog’s overall nutritional needs are met.

Cooking Directions

(Oven-Baked Version)

Prepare and combine the Ingredients:

• Turkey Mince: Ensure the turkey mince is fresh or properly defrosted if frozen.

• Organ Meats: Finely chop the lamb kidney and beef liver into small, manageable pieces.

• Pumpkin: If using canned pumpkin, ensure it’s plain and unsweetened add to the mix,(sweet potatoes also work well)

• Egg Yolk: Crack and Stir well to combine. Save shells.

      • Plant matter: The finely chopped cranberries, fresh parsley, and any other veggies you’re using.

Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Prepare the Baking Tray:

• Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease with coconut oil it to prevent sticking.

Cook :

• Add the combined mixture, evenly into the prepared baking tray.

• Place the tray in the preheated oven and cook the mixture in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked through.

• For the best results, avoid overcooking the ingredients to retain the nutritional value of the fresh food.

Cool and Serve:

• Let the mixture cool to room temperature before serving.

Add Supplements at Serving:

• Once the food has cooled, add the ground eggshells, oysters (or substitute) supplements (like hempseed oil, Kelp powder, cinnamon, and Himalayan crystal salt) directly to each individual serving. Mix well before feeding.

Storage:

• If you’re not serving all of it right away, store the portions in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.

• Defrost frozen portions in the fridge overnight and serve at room temperature, adjusting portion sizes based on your dog’s weight and nutritional needs.

Important Note:

This recipe is best as part of a balanced diet and should not be fed every day. Variety is key in fresh food feeding, so rotate different ingredients to provide your dog with a wide range of nutrients. Whether you’re following a raw feeding routine or offering a mix of fresh foods, it’s important to calculate portion sizes based on your dog’s weight — typically around 2.5% of their body weight, or based on how much you currently feed them.

Always consult with your vet or a canine nutritionist before introducing new meals to ensure it’s appropriate for your dog’s health.

For more tips on healthy, balanced fresh feeding for your dog, join our community for all things nutrition and wellness!