Pets are listeners, too! Keep them happy and healthy with a daily dose of VPR and this homemade chicken stew for dogs or cats. Plus, if your family's sick of zucchini, it's a great way to use up a bumper crop of garden vegetables!

2 ½ pounds whole chicken or turkey (bones, organs, skin and all)
¼ cup chopped fresh garlic*
1 cup green peas
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
½ cup coarsely chopped sweet potato
½ cup coarsely chopped zucchini
½ cup coarsely chopped yellow squash
½ cup coarsely chopped green beans
½ cup coarsely chopped celery
1 Tbsp kelp powder
2 Tbsp dried rosemary
11 to 16 cups spring water

For dogs only:
8 ounces whole barley
6 ounces rolled oats
add water as needed to cover ingredients

Combine all ingredients in a 10-quart stockpot, with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours. Remove from heat, let cool and debone the chicken or turkey. Use an electric hand mixer or food processor to puree the food, working in batches. Cats like the stew soupier, so feel free to add a little water at the end. Store meal-sized portions in resealable plastic bags or yogurt containers. Refrigerate what you’ll need for three days and freeze the rest.

Makes a 1- to 3-week supply, depending on the animal’s size.

Originally printed in The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats, by Andi Brown.

* We've received a few unconfirmed reports that garlic may be harmful to pets. Please check with your vet for more information.