March 2011
Homemade Treats for the Dogs You Love!
by Mary Gerlach, R.D.
Registered Dietician
This month, in conjunction with the cover story, we’re doing something unusual by giving you some ideas about making healthy dog treats at home for your “best friend.” We know many of you have other animals, but this month’s recipes will focus on dog treats. If you don’t have a dog, it might be fun to make some treats for your neighbor’s or friend’s dogs. Please be sure to read next month’s article for the usual recipes for the humans you love just as much.
With so many brands of dog treats on the market today, you might be wondering why anyone would go to the trouble of making homemade dog treats. It’s something different for your favorite friend. And you have complete control over all the ingredients. You can avoid chemicals, preservatives, colored dyes, and ingredients you can’t even pronounce. It’s a small way to give back some of the love your dog gives you unconditionally.
There are so many easy dog treat and dog cookie recipes available, you can whip up something tasty and nutritious for your dog with very little effort. A kitchen, simple healthy ingredients and some yummy dog treat recipes will get you started.
Most dogs love all kinds of special treats, so it should not be difficult to choose one your dog will like. Think about what your dog like to eat. Peanut butter? Liver or cheese? Tuna? There are many recipes with these ingredients. If your dogs are like ours, they’ll be watching your every move the whole time you’re making their treats and wagging their tails in anticipation. And if you want to make a big batch, dog treat recipes freeze well when stored in freezer bags.
If you want your dog treats to come out right, be vigilant about the liquid to dry ingredients in the recipe you select and follow it carefully. As with any recipe, it’s a good idea to read the entire recipe before beginning so you don’t inadvertently discard the liquid in the tuna can when it is part of the liquid calculated into the recipe. And avoid foods that may be harmful to dogs, such as chocolate.
I have to admit, however, our Alaskan Malamute filched a wrapped Christmas present from under our tree one year while we were out for the evening, opened it and ate an entire pound of chocolates before we returned. The only consequences we observed were her doggie chocolate breath and a big smile on her face for at least a week. Nonetheless, avoiding chocolate in your dog treat recipes is no doubt a good idea.
So all you dog lovers in rural New Mexico, treat your dog right by getting into your kitchen and making your dog tail-wagging happy with homemade dog treats. Your dog is worth it!
Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Dog Treats
2 Tbs. corn oil
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup water
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups white flour
Preheat oven to 350° F. In mixing bowl combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour 1 cup at a time; mix well. Knead into firm dough. Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut with small bone-shaped cookie cutter or cut them into squares or rectangles. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes. Makes 2½ dozen treats.
Easy Tuna-N-Cheese Dog Treats
2 (6 ounce) cans tuna in water, do not drain
2 eggs
1 to 1½ cup rice or wheat flour
Mash tuna and water in a bowl with a fork to get clumps out; liquefy in blender or food processor. Add extra drops of water if needed to liquefy completely. Pour into mixing bowl and add flour; consistency should be like cake batter. Spread into greased or sprayed cake pan. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° F for 15 minutes; edges will pull away and texture will be like putty. Use a pizza cutter and slice into small squares or rectangles.
Homemade Frosty Paws
This is a great summer treat for your dog.1 (32 ounce) container vanilla yogurt
1 mashed banana
2 Tbs. peanut butter
2 Tbs. honey
In mixing bowl, blend all ingredients. Freeze in ice cube trays. Microwave just a few seconds before serving to your “best friend.” You may want to serve this treat outdoors, as some dogs can be a bit messy when eating it.
Chicken Dog Biscuits
Here’s a great way to use up some leftover chicken, and please your “best friend.”1½ cups shredded cooked chicken (all bones removed)
½ cup chicken broth
1 Tb. soft butter
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup cornmeal or cream of wheat
Preheat the oven to 350° F. In blender, combine chicken, broth and butter; puree. Pour into a mixing bowl; add flour and cornmeal (or cream of wheat); mix well. Knead dough into a ball and roll to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into 1-inch sized squares or rectangle pieces and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes. Makes about 18 dog biscuits.
Bacon Oat Dog Biscuits
2 eggs, beaten
3 Tbs. molasses
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup milk
1 cup rolled oats
¾ cup wheat germ
¼ cup flour
½ cup artificial bacon bits
In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° F for 15 minutes.
Cottage Cheese and Ham Dog Treats
2/3 cup cottage cheese
3 Tbs. milk
2 Tbs. flaxseed or olive oil
1 egg yolk
1 cup finely chopped ham
2 cups oatmeal
Preheat oven to 350° F. In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Form into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° F for about 30 minutes.