Help! I Forgot to Order My Dog’s Food – Now What?
We’ve all been there. Life gets busy, time slips away, and suddenly, you realize—you forgot to order your dog’s food. That was us last week. Gandhi, our little king (and self-proclaimed food critic), was sitting by his empty bowl, giving us that look of pure betrayal. And, of course, he’s not the type to just eat anything. We only feed him the best to keep his coat shiny and his skin healthy. So, what do you do when your pup’s food hasn’t arrived yet and you need to improvise right now? Let’s talk about how to whip up a nutritious meal with what you already have in your kitchen.
Check Your Fridge: What Can Your Dog Eat?
The good news is, many of the ingredients we use for our meals are actually safe for dogs. The key is to keep it simple, avoid harmful foods, and ensure a balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Here’s what you can likely find in your kitchen that’s dog-friendly:
✅ Proteins: Cooked chicken, turkey, salmon, eggs, lean beef (plain, no seasoning)
✅ Carbs: Cooked rice, quinoa, oats, plain pasta, sweet potatoes
✅ Veggies: Carrots, zucchini, green beans, peas, pumpkin (plain, no spices)
✅ Healthy Fats: Olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseeds (in moderation)
Quick and Easy Emergency Dog Meals
Here are three simple meals you can prepare in under 10 minutes with common kitchen staples:
🔹 The Classic Chicken & Rice Bowl
Mix together half a cup of cooked chicken (boneless, skinless, and unseasoned) with half a cup of plain cooked rice. Add a tablespoon of steamed carrots if available and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Let it cool before serving.
🔹 Egg Scramble Supreme
Scramble two eggs without salt or butter, then mix in half a cup of cooked sweet potato or pumpkin. Add a tablespoon of steamed green beans or peas and a sprinkle of flaxseeds for extra nutrients. Stir well and let it cool before serving.
🔹 Salmon & Oat Mash
Mash together half a cup of cooked, boneless, and skinless salmon with half a cup of plain cooked oats. Stir in a tablespoon of plain yogurt (unsweetened, with no artificial sweeteners) for extra probiotics. Let it cool before serving.
These meals are meant as a temporary solution and not a permanent diet, but they’ll keep your pup happy and full while you wait for their food to arrive!
What NOT to Feed Your Dog
Before you start throwing things into their bowl, make sure you avoid these toxic foods:
❌ Onions & Garlic – Highly toxic, can cause anemia
❌ Grapes & Raisins – Can cause kidney failure
❌ Chocolate – Contains theobromine, dangerous for dogs
❌ Avocado – Contains persin, which is toxic to dogs
❌ Dairy (for some dogs) – Can cause digestive issues
❌ Seasonings & Salt – Too much can lead to sodium poisoning
If you’re ever unsure whether something is safe, a quick Google search or a call to your vet is always a good idea.
Crisis Averted – What We Learned
After our little emergency, we’ve set a reminder to order Gandhi’s food before we run out. But honestly? This experience taught us that having a plan B isn’t a bad thing. Now, we keep some emergency supplies—plain rice, canned salmon, and frozen veggies—just in case.
If you ever find yourself in the same situation, don’t panic! Take a deep breath, check your fridge, and remember: your dog will be just fine with a simple, wholesome meal until their regular food arrives.
Have you ever forgotten to order your dog’s food? What did you whip up in a pinch? Let us know in the comments!