**Disclaimer: Always check with your veterinarian before adding any elements to your dog’s diet!
Every time I make a smoothie, Freenie the chihuahua stares at me longingly. (She might be silently imploring that I not run the blender.) Before I give her a nibble of whatever I’m blending, I’ll look up whether I can feed it to her or let her lick a bit of the leftovers in my glass.
I recently chatted with Jenna Tanenbaum, dog lover and founder of Green Blender, to find out how people can share smoothies with their fuzzbutt companions. Green Blender is a weekly smoothie subscription box (sound familiar? *cough* BarkBox *cough*) that delivers fresh smoothie ingredients in portions that ensure a perfect blend—and reduce the amount of spoiled produce in your fridge.
“Dogs have been a huge part of my life. There is nothing like the bond you have with your dog.” says Tanenbaum, who grew up with a black lab named Montana. She provided these lists of foods that you can and cannot offer to your pooch. Of course, you’ll want to check with your vet that your dog doesn’t have any food allergies before serving up these yummy concoctions! Experiment with the ingredients, and make sure the serving size is appropriate for your dog’s tummy and appetite.
Foods you can feed your dog:
– Apples
– Oranges
– Bananas
– Watermelon
– Carrots
– Green beans
– Cucumber
– Zucchini
– Peanuts
– Cashews
– Hazelnuts
Foods you should never feed your dog:
– Avocados
– Grapes
– Cacao/cocoa/chocolate (while cacao and chocolate are huge no-no’s for dogs, carob is safe and delicious for your four-legged friend!)
– Raisins
– Macadamia nuts
– Walnuts
– Tea/coffee
– Milk/dairy products
Tanenbaum suggests these recipes for your pup:
Turmeric Carrot Smoothie
Turmeric is a spice with many health benefits. It can help in reducing inflammation and may be a cancer preventative.
3 carrots
1 orange
1/2 lemon – juiced
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
1 tsp turmeric
1 cup water
1/2 cup ice cubes
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Apples are great for dogs, and irresistible! Make sure the seeds are removed. (Apple seeds contain arsenic! Crazy, right?) Lucuma is a subtropical fruit that adds a caramel flavor and lots of vitamins and antioxidants.
1.5 ounces chard
1 Red Delicious apple – chopped
1 banana
1 tsp lucuma powder
1/4 cup raw cashews – soaked (optional)
1 cup water
1 cup ice
Morning Mojito
This smoothie is tart and refreshing, and can help with detoxi-fur-cation. Flaxseeds are filling and full of protein and Omega-3s!
2 handfuls spinach
1 persian cucumber
1 apple – cored, chopped
10 leaves mint
1/2 lemon – squeezed
1 tbsp flaxseed
1 cup water
1 cup ice
Hydration Station
Like the name says, this recipe is all about hydration! Oranges contain vitamin C and dietary fiber. Cucumber is great for the skin, too. Here’s to your health!
1 1/2 oz mesclun
1 orange – peeled
1 cucumber – chopped
3 sprigs mint – stemmed
1/2 lemon – juiced
1/2 cup water
1 cup ice
