Whether you're looking for an economical alternative to store-bought treats or want a healthy, fun gift for a dog-loving friend, homemade dog treats can be a fun project. Homemade treats are healthier, and because you have full control over what goes in them you can avoid including common allergens like corn.
There are dozens of recipes online for dog treats, from biscuits to soft treats and even frozen goodies. You can even buy canine cookbooks. If you're just getting started, though, here are two easy recipes. These make for an especially fun family activity; they're easy enough for your kids to help, and when it's finished you can share with your furry family as well.
Chicken Biscuit Recipe
A dry, meat-filled cookie that's sure to entice your pooch.
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded. (canned is fine too)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup flour (use bean flower if your pup has a wheat allergy)
1/3 cup cornmeal or farina (dry cream of wheat)
1 tablespoon softened butter
In a bowl, combine the chicken, broth and butter. Mix well. Then add the cornmeal or farina and knead until the dough is no longer so sticky. Cut into shapes or one-inch stripes and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until they have hardened. Allow the biscuits to cool completely before feeding to your dog.
"Pupsicle" Recipe
For hot summer days, nothing cools your dog off as well as a healthy frozen treat.
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 ripe banana
16 ounces plain yogurt
Mix together all of the ingredients, mashing the banana with a fork or using a blender or hand mixer to achieve a smooth consistency. You can then pour the mixture into ice cube trays, popsicle trays or into small plastic bags for shaping.
Freeze the popsicles for several hours or until totally solid. Humans can eat these treats, too, so you can share the popsicle with your dog on a hot summer day.
Some foods are toxic to dogs, and should never be used in dog treats or other edible items: Chocolate, Onions, Grapes, Garlic
You should also avoid adding too many sweeteners, salt or spices to the dog treats. Dogs are more sensitive to these flavors and require much less seasoning than humans do. Whenever you try a new treat with your pet, make a small batch first and test to make sure your pet likes them and there is no stomach upset. If he doesn't react well to one recipe, you can always try another.
To keep your pet's food fresh, store in the refrigerator or a sealed container. Keep in mind that your homemade treats will not have preservatives like store dog cookies do, so be sure to use them up quickly to prevent them from going bad.
