| | Pets Love Nino's Too! | | | | | People love their pets. And in the United States alone, there seems to be plenty of love to go around.
Like 78 million dogs and 86 million owned cats.
Yep, better than one third of American households own a dog or a cat, with many owning more than one. And 62% of us have a pet of one kind or another. That equates to almost 73 million homes.
Just how much we love our pets might be better illustrated by how much we spend on them each year for food, health care, grooming, toys and such….
Hang on to your credit card because the 2011 estimate is….
$50.84 Billion
That’s Billion……with a B.
And better than $19 billion of that will be spent on pet food.
But those of us who have, and love pets, know that every penny is worth it. We share our lives with these creatures and beyond their companionship; we receive numerous other benefits, for studies have shown that:
• People with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet.
• Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation.
• Pets provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease.
• Pet owners actually make fewer doctor visits of their own, especially for non-serious medical conditions.
• Pets help to fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life.
• When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security.
Recently, our Director of Culinary Development, Pete Loren, got unexpectedly caught up in the passion that people have for their pets. And although it wasn’t what you might consider YOUR normal dinner fare, helping one of Nino’s customers create a special meal for their loved one, is what we’re all about.
The recipe was on a small piece of typing paper, no title, just ingredients with some hand written notes, a piece of aged scotch tape at the top and WAY too many folds beneath.
This is how he tells the story….
The first question I was asked was: “Where are your Sardines? Which didn’t surprise me since at Nino’s our Sardines are usually in the Seafood Department. But my culinary curiosity really was peaked when the second recipe ingredient she was looking for was rolled oats. Hmmm? Sardines and Rolled Oats?? Is she breading Sardines in Rolled Oats?
OK, now I had to ask?? What ARE you making??
“Kitty Treats” she said!!
Ok, I have to admit, this was a first for me, but later, I started to wonder? If pet owners shop at Nino’s for ALL their family’s meals then Pet’s Must Love Nino’s TOO!!
Later that day Pete went on line and did a little research and found 2 recipes that you (and your pet) might enjoy. One from an organization he belongs to; TICA, The International Cat Association…(Pete shows cats as a hobby…)
Follow the link below to, Savory Homemade Natural Treats, which has 3 delicious recipes. One, oddly enough has Rolled Oats too!! (Cats must love rolled oats?)
And, so as not to leave Nino’s Canine friends out, below are a couple of terrific recipes for dog treats, (although Pete didn’t taste this himself, he says you can take his word..)
Bowser Biscuits
1 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups flour
2 cups warm chicken or beef broth
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup margarine or butter
2 cups cracked wheat
1/4 cup honey
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 Egg; Beaten
In small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In large bowl combine broth, powdered milk, margarine, honey, and egg. Add yeast/water and mix well. Stir in flour, cornmeal, wheat germ and cracked wheat. Mix well. Add whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead in the final amounts of flour by hand and continue kneading for 4-5 minutes until dough is not sticky. Pat or roll dough to 1/2" thickness and cut into bone shapes. Place on a greased cookie sheet, cover lightly and let set for 20 minutes. Bake in a 350F oven for 45 minutes. Turn off heat and leave in oven several hours or overnight. Makes approximately 3 ½ pounds.
Meat Flavored Dog Biscuits (Recipe By: Robert Morse)
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
2 c. beef or chicken broth
2 tsp. salt
1 T. yeast (1 envelope)
3-1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. rye flour
2 c. cracked wheat
1 T. Gravy Master
Mix all dry ingredients together. Stir in broth, Gravy Master, milk, and eggs. Knead mixture until dough forms, and then roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into 1/2 inch squares. Place pieces on a cookie sheet and bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 45 minutes. Turn oven off and leave biscuits in oven for 8 hours. Remove from oven and cool well before storing them.
And a final word to all you “Pet Chefs” out there....
Making pet treats at home can be fun for you and your children. Because each pet may have special needs make sure to review each recipe to insure it is appropriate for your pet. Remember these are treat recipes not "pet food" per se; therefore, they should not be used in excess.
Shapes & Cutters
Cookie cutters are available in countless shapes, sizes and themes. Make treats that are suitable for the size of your pooch. If you prefer to not buy cookie cutters you can use the open end of a juice can, a small glass or a biscuit cutter if you have one.
Ingredients
One of the benefits of making your own treats is that you can control the quality of what goes in the treats. We suggest using the same quality products as you would if you were making food for yourself. For example use Nino’s natural peanut butter rather than products with a lot of added sugar. Use organic flours and meals if they are available to you.
Controversial Ingredients
There are some ingredients in large amounts that can be deadly to your pet. If you see any of these ingredients in a recipe you'd like to use then you should consult with your veterinarian to see if the recipe is appropriate for your pet, otherwise leave the ingredient out or select another recipe. Here are some potentially harmful ingredients:
• Chocolate
• Garlic & Onions
• Grapes & Raisins
• Macadamia Nuts
• Some Mushrooms (More Dogs than Cats)
• Tomatoes (More Cats than Dogs)
• Raw Potatoes
US Pet statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey. |
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