Nourishment Beyond the Plate | Holistic Cooking for Canines by Stacee Novotny, NC, HPHC

Content Summary

Bauman College Nutrition Consultant Instructor Stacee Novotny, NC, HPHC (Holistic Pet Health Coach), explores how the core principles of holistic human nutrition extend to our canine companions. From replacing overly processed kibble with nutrient-dense whole foods like pumpkin, lean beef, and carrots to understanding pet-specific food safety, this article breaks down how to nourish pets safely and holistically.

• Whole Foods for Canines: Why minimally processed ingredients like pumpkin, zucchini, oats, and lean beef provide vital fiber, protein, carotenoids, and minerals for a dog’s digestive system.
• Holistic Principles Beyond the Plate: How custom pet cooking demonstrates key Bauman College concepts: bioavailable nutrients, variety, practical preparation, and individualized nutrition.
• Essential Pet Safety Guide: A comprehensive breakdown of foods that cause toxicity (chocolate, grapes/raisins, xylitol, onions/garlic), physical injury (cooked bones, yeast dough), or severe conditions like pancreatitis (excess fatty meats/skin).

Your dog can’t read a nutrition label. Good thing you can.

Join Bauman College on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 12pm to 1pm Pacific / 3pm to 4pm Eastern for a fun, holistic look at nourishing your dog with wholesome, whole-food ingredients.

Holistic Chef Instructor Chef Martina Russial and Nutrition Consultant Instructor & Holistic Pet Health Coach Stacee Novotny, NC will prepare Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cookies and a Hearty Beef & Vegetable Stew while sharing how fresh ingredients can support digestion, energy, and overall canine wellness.

Why Whole Foods Matter for Dogs

Who says holistic nutrition is just for humans? Dogs can also benefit from a diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods since they have a surprisingly similar digestive system. Homemade foods using wholesome ingredients add variety and optimal nourishment to mealtime.

Kibble is basically the S.A.D. diet for dogs. Different species, same food-industry plot twist.
We’ve put together a couple of stand-out recipes (see them below) that use whole-food ingredients that are safe for dogs.

Pumpkin is a standout ingredient in both recipes, providing fiber and carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Carrots and zucchini add fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, while lean beef provides high-quality protein and important nutrients such as iron and zinc.

Oats and barley contribute fiber and carbohydrates, and peanut butter provides protein and fat for these occasional treats.

What These Recipes Teach Us

These recipes are about more than a tasty treat. They demonstrate several principles that are central to a holistic approach to nutrition:

• Choosing whole ingredients with bioavailable nutrients
• Incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense foods
• Creating nourishing food that is both practical and delicious
• Personalizing nutrition and cooking for the individual, regardless of how many legs

Foods That Can Be Dangerous for Pets

Some everyday foods are harmless to people but dangerous for pets. Problems usually fall into three groups: poisoning, physical injury, and pancreatitis.

Toxic Foods

• Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine: Contain methylxanthines, which dogs cannot process efficiently. It may cause vomiting, a racing heart, tremors, seizures, or other serious complications.
• Grapes and raisins: Even one can cause sudden kidney failure in some dogs.
• Avocados: Contain Persin, which can cause significant gastrointestinal irritation.
• Onions and garlic: These foods can damage red blood cells and lead to severe anemia. This includes onion and garlic powder.
• Macadamia nuts: Dogs may develop weakness, vomit, shaking, or overheating after eating them.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can cause severe intoxication, breathing problems, coma, or death.
• Xylitol: This sweetener can cause a sudden, dangerous drop in a dog’s blood sugar and may also lead to liver failure.

Foods That Can Cause Physical Injury

• Cooked bones: Cooked bones break easily and may cause choking, intestinal blockages, or internal injuries.
• Raw yeast dough: Dough can expand inside the stomach and cause dangerous bloating. As it ferments, it can also produce alcohol.

Fatty Foods and Pancreatitis

Excess rich, greasy foods – including meat scraps, poultry skin, gravy, butter, and cooking oils – can trigger pancreatitis. This painful inflammation of the pancreas can become life-threatening and often requires veterinary treatment.

What About Cats?

Cats can be harmed by many of the same foods. It is safest to keep in mind that their smaller bodies and different metabolism may make them especially sensitive to certain substances.

Every Pet Is Different

Pets have individual nutritional needs, sensitivities, allergies, digestive issues, health conditions, and preferences. Consult your veterinary practitioner when choosing the best foods for your pet.

If your pet eats a potentially toxic food or develops concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

A Taste of Holistic Nutrition at Bauman College

At Bauman College, students learn to look at food through a holistic lens – consider ingredients, preparation, nourishment, and the individual needs of those they serve.

While pet wellness isn’t currently a dedicated part of our curriculum, it’s an area we’re exploring and hope to incorporate in the future. For now, these recipes offer a fun glimpse into holistic nourishment for our favorite fur babies.

Check out the featured recipes below or learn more about Stacee Novotny, NC, HPHC and the rest of the Nutrition Consultant Team by visiting our faculty page.

Reference: Roberts, R. (2025, December). “Why Dogs Can’t Safely Eat Many Common Christmas Foods.” Dr. Ruth Roberts Blog.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Crunchy Cookies – Nourishing Treats for Dogs

By MyDogRecipe.com, modified by Stacee Novotny, NC, HPHC
Serving instructions | Treats should not make up more than 10% of a healthy and active dogs’ daily intake, 5% for less active or overweight dogs

A simple, wholesome treat combining pumpkin, natural peanut butter, egg, and oat flour into a crunchy homemade cookie.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup pumpkin purée (unsweetened, plain; not pie filling)
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free, unsalted, smooth)
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups oat flour (finely ground)
• 1–2 tbsp water (only if needed to adjust dough texture)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin purée, peanut butter, and beaten egg. Stir until smooth and evenly blended.
3. Add oat flour gradually and mix until soft but workable. If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, add 1–2 tbsp water until it holds together.
4. Scoop about 1 tbsp of dough and roll into small balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and flatten gently with a fork to create the classic ridged pattern, about 1/3 inch thick.
5. Bake for 18–22 minutes until firm and lightly golden on the edges. For extra crunch, turn off the oven and let cookies dry inside with the door slightly open for 20 minutes.
6. Cool completely before serving. Texture should be crisp outside with a slightly firm interior.

Beef & Veggie Stew Meal Topper – For Active Dogs

By Janette Gower, modified by Stacee Novotny, NC, HPHC
Serving Size | 2 Tbs per 1 cup kibble

A hearty slow-cooker combination of lean beef, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, whole grains, and bone broth.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup cooked barley, brown rice, or quinoa
• 18 oz lean beef minced or stewing beef, cubed
• 1 cup raw pumpkin, cut into half-inch dice
• 1 cup carrot, cut into half-inch dice
• 1 cup zucchini, cut into half-inch dice
• 2 cups bone broth, dog safe

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare grains per the package instructions. Cool while the other ingredients are cooking.
2. Layer beef and veggies in the slow cooker.
3. Pour bone broth over top.
4. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until meat and vegetables are tender.
5. Mix in the cooked grains.
6. Cool to room temperature before serving, refrigerating or freezing.

Notes | These recipes are intended as treats or toppers to complement, not replace, a complete and balanced canine diet.

If you have a picky pup, blend the stew ingredients into a more cohesive mixture. That way they don’t miss out on the combined nutrition of all the ingredients!

About Stacee Novotny, NC, HPHC (Holistic Pet Health Coach)

Stacee graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 1995. She is a Nutrition Consultant Instructor at Bauman College and holds a certification as a Holistic Pet Health Coach. With over 20 years of experience in nutrition consulting and education, she blends theory and practical application into straightforward, effective, and easy-to-follow nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs to enhance overall health and well-being.