Dog Treat Recipes for a Peppy Pooch

By Sherril Steele-Carlin

Making your own homemade dog treats and even dog food is much easier than you might think. For the most part, it's just like baking cookies for the family, only these are for the four-legged members of the family! When you make your own dog treats, you can be sure of what's going into them, too, so you know your pet is healthier and happier. These recipes all use wholesome ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now, so whip up a batch of dog treats today, you pooch will love you all the more for it!

Bow Wow Brownies

  • 6 cups oats (not instant oatmeal)
  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup corn or other vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup molasses
  • 1 cup rice, cooked
  • 1 large can pumpkin

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Pat into a greased jelly-roll pan and bake for approximately 1 hour.

Cut into squares when cool.

Chicken Flavored Dog Biscuits

  • 1 package dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 pint chicken stock
  • 3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 1 cup rye flour
  • 2 cups cracked wheat or wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup powdered milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Beat egg with 1 tablespoon milk.

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add to chicken stock.

Combine all dry ingredients.

Add chicken stock mixture. Knead on a floured surface for about 3 minutes, working into a stiff dough. Roll out to about 1/4-inch thick.

Cut into bars or with a cookie cutter.

Brush with egg/milk wash and place on cookie sheets.

Bake for about 45 minutes. Turn off heat and leave biscuits in oven overnight.

Makes about 4 to 5 dozen bars.

Bacon Pet Biscuits

  • 3/4 cup bacon grease - divided
  • 5 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a cookie sheet with 1 Tbls. bacon grease or vegetable oil.

Combine remaining ingredients; mix well.

Roll dough into 1/2" - 2" balls and place balls 1" apart on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.

Allow to cool and dry on wire racks.

Notes: Store at room temperature up to 1 month

Doggie Ices

  • 1 small dog treat, dry or soft
  • Water

Fill ice cube trays with water, then drop in the dog treat.

Place in freezer for 3 hours.

Pop out and give to your dog.

Doggie Oatmeal

  • 2 packets instant oatmeal
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 cups grated carrot and potato, mixed
  • 1 pound raw ground chicken

Make the oatmeal in a large bowl following the package directions.

Whisk the egg yolk for 1 minute and add it to the oatmeal.

Add grated raw carrot, potatoes, and ground chicken.

Mix everything together.

Serve it to your dog for breakfast.

Note: Since this contains raw meat, make sure your dog eats it right away. Discard after an hour if it sits out and your dog has not finished it.

Easy Microwave Dog Treats

  • 3 6-oz. jars vegetable or meat baby food, any flavor
  • 1 cup wheat germ
  • Non-fat cooking spray

Combine baby food and wheat germ.

Spray two plates with cooking spray. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto one plate. Cover with the other plate.

Microwave 2 to 5 minutes on HIGH.

Remove to cool on waxed paper. Repeat with remaining mixture.

Makes 36 treats.

Flea Away Dog Biscuits

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup brewer's yeast
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 Tbsp. olive, sesame, or vegetable oil
  • 1 cup chicken stock, or beef or vegetable stock (non-fat if preferred)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Grease two to three baking sheets.

In a medium bowl, combine the first four ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the garlic and oil.

Alternately, add the flour mixture and the stock into the oil and garlic, beating until the dough is well mixed.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a 12-inch circle. Using a two-inch biscuit cutter, cut the dough into rounds. (Or use a cookie cutter with a dog-biscuit shape.)

Transfer the biscuits to greased baking sheets. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the biscuits are well browned. Turn off the heat and allow the biscuits to dry in the oven for several hours or over night.

Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Makes about 2 dozen biscuits.

Note: The brewer's yeast helps the coat and is also said to keep away fleas, as will the garlic.





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