Several years ago when the media was filled with accounts of dogs and cats dying from tainted commercial foods and treats, I made a decision that would ensure the safety of my four dogs. I decided to prepare all their food myself, including their treats. Beside the fact that some treats still have ingredients from China which was the source of the most tainted components, high quality treats are expensive. When one has four dogs, it makes it very costly to buy the most trusted commercial brands. Added to this, I have two dogs with allergies so I must avoid wheat, corn, and chicken. I have gathered some great dog treat recipes and I will list a few favorites according to my doggie connoisseurs. The following have received the two paws up endorsement from Angus, Kieran, MacDuff and Fergie-Mo.
Their number one and all time favorite is Muffins to Die For.
One and a half cups of oat flour
Two teaspoons of baking powder
One half teaspoon of baking soda
One quarter cup olive oil, or safflower oil
One quarter cup of liver broth
One quarter cup pureed liver (Bells is best if you can get it)
One cup of yogurt (goats milk is best if you can find it)
One egg
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Gently cook the chicken livers in water and save the broth. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whirl all other ingredients in a blender or food processor. Add wet ingredients to dry, and mix thoroughly. Next spoon the batter into lightly greased mini muffin tins and bake for 15 minutes. Remove and turn out onto cooling rack and cool completely. Store the muffins in air-tight containers or zip-lock bags. Keep in the refrigerator or you can freeze them. Anything with moisture should not be stored at room temperature or else mold can develop.
Every dog seems to love to get to the kitty's food. The next recipe is sure to satisfy Fido's kitty food tooth! This cookie is also enjoyed by our feline friends.
Something Fishy
Four cups oat flour or whole wheat flour
Two cups mashed sweet or white potatoes
One cup chicken broth (use low salt if store bought)
One 6 ounce can of skinless, boneless salmon, drained
Four tablespoons dried dill weed
One quarter cup of olive oil
Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine.
Roll out dough on floured surface to about inch thick. Using a cookie cutter (fish shapes are cute) cut cookies. Combine dough scraps and continue to roll out and cut into shapes until all dough has been used.
Place cookies on ungreased foil-lined baking sheets, and bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Turn off oven and let cookies dry in the oven for 3 hours or overnight. Makes 5 to 6 dozen cookies.
Doggie Ice Cream
If you have ever purchased Frosty Paws for your dog, you know how much dogs love ice cream. This recipe is fast, easy, and dogs love it!
Large tub low fat yogurt (I use goat's milk yogurt)
One mashed banana
One half cup of peanut butter
Three tablespoons of water
One half to one tablespoon of honey
Mix all ingredients and put in ice-cube trays; when frozen turn out into double Ziplocs bags.
Also berries, pumpkin, and melon can be substituted for the banana. Chicken broth can be used in place of the water if desired. Again, this recipe is also a money saver.
Another great idea is to purchase a Nesco American Harvest dehydrator for less than fifty dollars to make homemade meat jerky. This saves a lot of money, you can trust the meat you buy, and you can munch on some when you need a quick snack.
The peace of mind gained from preparing homemade treats for one's companion animals is well worth the little extra effort it takes. In addition, if one compares the cost of high quality treats to the cost of homemade, the price is far less, yet yielding more treats for the latter.
Please remember that chocolate and raisins are toxic to dogs. Carob chips can be used, but don't over-bake as they become hard. Onions, garlic and other nightshade veggies may also cause problems in certain dogs so it's best to avoid them. Many herbs and spices are actually good for dogs. Cinnamon helps control blood sugar; turmeric is very good for the liver, and dried parsley freshens doggie breath. Dried mint is also a breath freshener and soothes an upset tummy as well.