MODULE 4

Recommended Proteins, Fruits and Vegetables

As we learned in the first Bronze Paw module, animal proteins are the best way to ensure your pet is receiving their full nutrient intake.

Recommended animal proteins:

Oftentimes, it is best to feed more than one source of protein to ensure your pet gets all the essential amino acids they need.

  • Chicken, preferably cooked or rendered

  • Lamb, raw, cooked, or rendered

  • Beef, raw, cooked, or rendered

  • Veal, raw, cooked, or rendered

  • Venison, raw, cooked or rendered

  • Pork, cooked or rendered

  • Turkey, cooked, or rendered

  • Fish, cooked, or rendered

  • Organ meat, raw, cooked, or rendered (should not be a main meal)

  • Whole egg, cooked

Recommended Dairy Proteins:

Not all pets can handle dairy.  If you choose to feed dairy as a snack, it’s best to start out feeding small quantities.  Some items to try are:

  • Low-fat cheese

  • Milk

  • Yogurt. Frozen yogurt is a great treat idea!

Please note full fat cheese fed often as a snack can cause a dog to gain weight very quickly!

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

To keep a healthy pet, the best protein sources come from animals. However, your pet can benefit from getting a small quantity of protein from some legumes.  Namely, red beans, brown lentils, pinto beans, white beans, lima beans and chickpeas are all great options. These legumes are also a good source of vitamins, minerals and fibres! You can also use rinsed precooked canned legumes as a nutritious add-on to their main meal! Many vegetables provide healthy diet toppers and a tasty treat as well!

Recommended vegetables:

  • Green peas

  • Snow peas

  • Carrots

  • Broccoli

  • Zucchini

  • Eggplant

  • Cauliflower

  • Red peppers

  • Tomatoes

Spinach can also be a good choice, however it is important to note that it contains compounds and can contribute to the formulation of oxalate crystals in cats if fed too often. Cooking spinach before feeding it to pets reduces this risk. Pet owners should talk to their veterinarian before routinely feeding spinach to their pet.

Fruits are a great source of fibres, vitamins and minerals. If a pet is a picky eater, try mixing in a sweet tasting fruit!

Recommended Fruits:

  • Apples

  • Watermelon

  • Bananas

  • Pineapples

  • Kiwis

  • Dried dates, figs, and apricots (pits removed