Happy Holidays everyone!  Here are some great recipes for pup and kitty that can be enjoyed any time of the year! Kitty recipes follow the pup recipes.

Remember that treats in moderation are the spice of life and to always check with your vet about which foods are appropriate for your pet

Critter Queen wishes you the very best this holiday season and joy and happiness in the New Year!

DOG RECIPES

Meat Muffins
A great recipe that makes a lot, approximately 36 “muffins”!

As another option, you can cook this like a meat loaf in two loaf pans.  What’s great about doing it in muffin tins is that you have plenty of cute meat muffins to take to friends’ and neighbors’ pets

Tis the season of sharing and giving after all!

 Ingredients

• 2.5 cups cook rice
• 2 large potatoes, chopped into small bits.
  *I like to par bake the potatoes and then shred them after they are cool enough to handle.
• 4 large carrots, grated
• 1 medium apple, grated  or chopped
• 6 pounds lean ground meat of your choice, please avoid using pork.
• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  You will need 3 large, nonstick muffin tins.  To avoid sticking, you can also grease your muffin tins with a little olive oil.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix together, hands work best.  If mixture feels too runny, add a touch more oats.

Fill each muffin cup with some of the meat mixture, and pat down to make it firm. Bake 45 minutes, or until surface feels set. Cool completely before serving.

Remove the meat cakes by turning the muffin tin upside down over a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper.  Refrigerate or freeze in appropriate bags or containers.

Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in appropriate bags or containers.  Use or freeze within 36 hours.

Latkes for Fido
A traditional latkes recipe adapted for man’s best friend

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp all-purpose whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Approximately ¼ cup canola oil
• Unsweetened applesauce (or fresh apple slices) for garnish, optional

Directions

Combine potatoes, eggs, flour and baking powder in a blender or food processor and pulse until thoroughly mixed.

Heat the canola oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Scoop up about ¼ cup of the mixture and shape into a patty.

Fry each latke for 2 to 3 minutes per side until brown and crisp, adding more oil if needed.

Let latkes cool completely on paper towels after cooking and top with a dab of unsweetened applesauce, or fresh apple slices, for an authentic touch.

Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in appropriate bags or containers.  Use or freeze within 36 hours.

CAT RECIPES

Feline Fishballs

Ingredients

• 3 baby carrots, cooked until soft
• 16 oz canned tuna in olive oil, drained
• 2  tbls whole grain bread crumbs or oatmeal
• 2.5 tbls grated cheese
• 2 tsp brewer’s yeast
• 1 egg
• 2 tbls tomato paste (please do not use ketchup)
• Several pinches of chopped catnip, optional

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Mash the carrots with the fish, bread crumbs or oatmeal, cheese, brewer’s yeast, catnip, egg and tomato paste to an even paste.

Mold into small balls and put on a greased baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking frequently.

The fish balls should be golden brown and feel firm. Cool thoroughly before serving to kitty.

Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in appropriate bags or containers.  Use or freeze within 36 hours.

Holiday Treats for Kitty

Ingredients

• 1 -14 ounce can Salmon, Tuna, or chicken, drained
• ½ cup canned, plain pumpkin
• 1 tsp cold pressed olive or canola oil
• Approximately ¼ cup cooked rice or cooked oatmeal

Directions

Combine canned meat of choice, pumpkin and oil.  Slowly add cooked rice or oatmeal until mixture can be formed into bite size balls or patties.

You can also pulse in blender or food processor for thorough mixing.

Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in appropriate bags or containers.  Use or freeze within 36 hours.