Thursday, May 22, 2014

homemade dog treats

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.” 

-Mark Twain

So I have dabbled in making dog treats in the past.  They can be pretty expensive and time consuming to make.  I tried to find some different options that won't break the bank, but that will be simple, healthy, and not too costly.  Many dog treats that are available at stores have many preservatives, dyes, and cheap fillers; none of which are good for your pup.  So below are a few options that will make them tail wagging happy!

1) Dog biscuits

Ingredients


  • 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour (substitute regular flour or oats if your dog is sensitive to wheat)
  • 1 tsp. salt (or less)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. Beef or chicken Bouillon granules (can substitute beef or chicken broth/stock)
  • ½ cup hot water

  • Optional Add ins
  • Bacon or chicken broth, eggs, oats, liver powder, wheat germ, shredded cheese, bacon bits

    1. Directions
    2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
    3. Dissolve bouillon in hot water
    4. Add remaining ingredients
    5. Knead dough until it forms a ball (approximately 3 minutes)
    6. Roll dough until ½ inch thick
    7. Cut into slices or bone shapes (you can purchase a bone shaped cookie cutter to make shapes with)
    8. Place dough pieces on lightly greased cookie sheet
    9. Cook for 30 minutes

    2) Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Dog Treats


    Ingredients
    • 32 ounces vanilla yogurt
    • 1 cup peanut butter

    Directions

      1. Melt the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl
      2. Combine the yogurt and melted peanut butter
      3. Pour the mixture into cupcake papers
      4. Place in the freezer

    3) No bake dog treats- pumpkin and oats



    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup pumpkin puree
    • ¼ cup water
    • 2½ cups oats
    • additional oats as needed for rolling

    Directions

    1. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree and water. Stir well to combine.
    2. Add the 2½ cups of oats to the pumpkin mixture and stir well to fully mix the ingredients.
    3. Using your hands, roll the mixture into small spheres and set them aside.
    4. After you’ve rolled the mixture into spheres, spread the additional oats on a plate, and roll the spheres in these oats to create a “coating” on the outside.
    5. Refrigerate the finished treats for 24 hours before serving to firm the pumpkin puree.

    4) Coconut clusters

    easy homemade dog treats

    Ingredients 

    • 3 tbsp whole wheat flour (see note below)
    • 1/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon applesauce, unsweetened
    • 1/4 cup milk, low or fat free (see note above about milk substitutions)
    • 1/2 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
    • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats

    Directions

    1. Mix the first four ingredients together in a large bowl.
    2. Slowly add the rolled oats, about a 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture may be too loose (or dry) to clump together. If that is the case, gradually add one tablespoon of applesauce at a time. Check the mixture by squeezing a small cluster in your hand.  If it does not stick together, add one more tbsp of applesauce.
    3. Scoop coconut clusters with a cookie scooper. Then, with damp hands, press into a cluster shape.
    4. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
    5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
    Frozen dog yums

    Ingredients 
    1 cup water
    1 cube chicken or beef boillion (dog's favorite)
    4 small pieces of chicken or beef


    Directions



    1. Disolve boillion in water and tear meat into smaller pieces about 1/2 inch squares. Freeze for about 12 hours or until solid. Great for hot days.

    I thought these were some interesting recipes to try.  Does anyone else have any recipes that use?  Feel free to comment!





    References

    Bullwrinkle. (2014). Frozen dog yums. Retrieved from http://www.bullwrinkle.com/Assets/Recipes/Frozen%20Doggie%20yums.htm

    Dog treat kitchen. (2014). Easy homemade dog treats. Retrieved from http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/easy-homemade-dog-treats.html

    Elfenbein, F. (2014). Homemade No-Bake Dog Treats with Pumpkin and Oat. Retrieved from http://twolittlecavaliers.com/2014/01/homemade-no-bake-dog-treats-pumpkin-oat.html


    Pajer, N. (2014, January 1). Recipe Ideas for Quick and Healthy Homemade Dog Treats . Retrieved from http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/Recipe-Ideas-for-Quick-and-Healthy-Homemade-Dog-Treats#link2




    No comments:

    Post a Comment