I was reading an article today that someone had shared on LinkedIn. It was about how pet food companies are following food trends when it comes to developing new products.
Humanization of pet food is not a new thing. Years ago large commercial food companies started marketing their food featuring vegetables and farm fresh meat as their ingredients. The food started to be packed in smartly printed bags, cans and foil containers to make it appear higher quality.
Nowadays human food trends have become more orthodox... ancient grains, organic, meat-free and the vegan movement is growing like crazy. This clean eating is being picked up by pet owners who want their pets to be fed with only the best.
The big pet food companies are aware of this and are now moving forward with this movement by adding these trendy ingredients to their production line. One being chia. Remember a few years back the super food de jour was goji berries and spirulina - yuck! Then it was açai which is still hanging on in there along with coconut in any shape or form. Today it is still chia. So it will be interesting to see what the big players come up with in way of ingredients and marketing.
Which brings me to my recipe today of a Fruit Chia Bowl for your LickiMat. Chia is a interesting seed. Soak it over night and it plumps up to make a kind of thick gloopy porridge. The best thing about it is that chia is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids - perfect for your dog's health. Many chia bowl recipes are based on soaking seeds in coconut milk and serving with fresh fruit. Coconut is packed with goodness and is great for skin and coat condition.
This is a lovely fruit-filled recipe, perfect for summer when seasonal fruits are aplenty. Fruit is loaded with fibre which is great for digestive health. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants as well as potassium, folate, vitamin C, B6 and supports heart health. Kiwi fruit again is packed with antioxidants and is rich in vitamin B, C and K. Finally, the good old summer favourite, the strawberry, is a great source of vitamin C, K, folic acid, manganese and potassium.
The best thing about these fruits is that they are dog safe, low fat and packed full of amazingly healthy nutrients. Please note that not all fruit is safe for pets so check with your vet first if you choose to use something else.
This recipe is enough to make enough filler for two LickiMats. Today I am going to use LickiMat Buddy, but you could use Playdate or Soother. For summer this would be a great frozen treat. Add a bit of peanut butter to add stickiness to the texture. You could also add honey which is a great digestive aid, good for arthritic dogs and is known to reduce allergy symptoms. Note: no more than 1 teaspoon of honey a day for your dog. Why not make the same recipe for yourself too! I did.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2/3 cup coconut milk
1 Kiwi fruit peeled
2 strawberries (green bit removed)
1 tablespoon blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon pure peanut butter (optional)
2 teaspoons pure honey (optional)
Soak the chia in the coconut milk overnight or for at least 8 hours. In a food processor or blender, combine remaining ingredients to a smooth or semi smooth blend. Mix fruit blend with chia/coconut stirring together well. Scoop onto LickiMat and spread evenly. Dress with extra fruit, take a photo and share, then let your dog enjoy it!
Mackie's Verdict
I never thought I'd lap up a doggy fruit chia bowl! I don't particularly like blueberries but in this mix combined with the yummy pearly texture of the chia and creaminess of the coconut, it was certainly a winner for my palate. I could even taste a subtle hint of peanut butter - my favourite ingredient. For this delightful treat, I am awarding 5 stars.
To shop the whole collection. visit www.lickimat.com
These recipes are not a daily balanced diet. They are not designed to replace a dog’s daily meal. Like all dog treats, serve only as part of a healthy balanced diet. Check with your vet first to ensure these food suggestions are suitable for your pet.
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