Pet about to be given American food (8)
I believe the answer is:
canoodle
'pet' is the definition.
(both can mean to touch lovingly)
'about to be given american food' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 'ca' (abbreviation for 'circa').
'to be given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'american food' becomes 'noodle' (noodle is a kind of food. I am not sure about the 'american' bit.).
'ca'+'noodle'='CANOODLE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for canoodle that I've seen before include "Pet" , "spoon" , "Hug and kiss" , "Fondle" , "Behave amorously" .)