Here’s a holiday you may have forgotten to celebrate February: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day (Feb 23). What a great time for us to spread our environmentally-friendly lifestyles down to our pets. Opt for organic, homemade pet treats to avoid exposing your canine pal to fillers, additives, pesticides, by-products and chemical fertilizers.
Top tips for the healthiest treats:
- Does your dog have intolerances or allergies to certain foods? Study recipes before trying them to ensure they’re safe.
- Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.
- Steer clear or foods that dogs shouldn’t eat. Brush up on the most up-to-date list from the ASPCA.
- Need a quick treat with no prep? Try frozen green beans, hard-boiled eggs or apple pieces, with seeds and core removed.
A couple of great recipe options from canine cuisine chefs on the web:
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats (recipe credit: www.livelaughrowe.com)
(Makes 5-6 dozen)
2 cups white rice flour
1 cup wheat germ
7.5 oz. can pumpkin
½ cup water
½ T. cinnamon
1 T. vegetable oil
1 T. honey
1 T. peanut butter
Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine.
Roll out dough on floured surface to about ¼-inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut into bone shapes. Combine dough scraps and continue to roll out and cut into shapes until all the dough has been used.
Place cookies on ungreased, foil-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 325° oven for 30-35 minutes.
Grain-Free Dog Treats (recipe credit: www.primallyinspired.com)
(Makes 50 two-inch treats)
½ cup chicken or beef broth
½ cup fat or oil of choice (bacon fat, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.)
1⅓ cup tapioca flour
⅓ cup coconut flour
½ t. sea salt
2 T. brewer’s or nutritional yeast
2 T. flaxseed meal
Preheat oven to 400° F.
In a small pot over medium heat, bring the chicken broth and fat/oil to a boil.
While that is coming to a boil, mix tapioca flour, coconut flour, sea salt, brewer’s yeast and flax meal in a medium bowl.
Once the broth/fat mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat and add to the flour bowl. Mix well.
On a piece of parchment paper, press out the dough into a ¼” thick rectangle. Either cut into squares with a pizza cutter or use cookie cutters in desired shape.
Bake for 15 minutes on a parchment lined cookie sheet. When the timer goes off, shut off the oven, crack the door and leave in the oven until cool (about 10-15 more minutes).
Talk to us: What’s your dog’s favorite homemade or ready-to-eat treat? Let us know in the comments below!