Dog Treat Recipes

Why Bake Your Own Dog Treats?

It's hard to keep track of the ever changing list of ingredients that are used in the manufacture of dog treats and other pet foods. One day a specific preservative is deemed safe, the next day it's found to have adverse health affects. Then there is the question of dyes and other unnecessary chemicals. What dog is concerned about the color of his food, the same way as humans?

The only way to be one-hundred percent confident in the quality and safety of your pet's edibles is to make them yourself. Now, you might think this is easier said than done. However, once you've attempted a few homemade dog treat recipes you'll likely find that baking your own dog snacks is both fun and rewarding.

Dog Treat Recipes

You can start with a basic biscuit recipe, and then explore ways to spice it up. Although this dog treat recipe performs best with meat broth, it is possible to substitute water. Just be aware that without the additional meat fats, the end result may be less enticing to your pet.

Dog Biscuits 101

Dog Treat Recipe Basics

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine in a bowl:

1 package of dry yeast

3 1/4 cups of warm (approx. 100 degrees) water or your pet's favorite meat broth

Set aside to let yeast activate.

In a separate bowl, mix:

3 cups unbleached flour

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/4 cups cornmeal

2/3 cup powdered milk

Pour the yeast/liquid combo into the dry ingredients and mix until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured cutting board and roll or pat to about 1/4 inch thick. Slice the dough into rectangles or cut with a cookie cutter and bake on a non-stick cookie sheet for forty to forty-five minutes until well set. Turn off the heat and leave the biscuits in the cooling oven for at least twelve hours to allow them to dry.

The yield for this dog treat recipe depends on how large you cut the biscuits, but you should end up with about 45 average sized dog treats.

Add-Ins and Special Touches

You can enhance this basic dog treat recipe by adding a tablespoon or two of your dog's favorite flavorings.

Items to try include:

• Bacon bits
• Garlic powder
• Beef base
• Chicken base
• Liver paste
• Honey
• Peanut butter
• Sesame seeds
• Finely chopped parsley

There's also no rule that says dog treats have to be shaped like bones. You can make your dog biscuits more festive by using your holiday cookie cutters to shape the dough, or you can twist two smaller pieces of rolled dough together for a treat with lots of texture. What a great holiday or birthday gift for your loyal friend.

Share Your Own Favorite Recipes

Do you have any sure-fired dog treat recipes that make your pet's mouth water? Then why not share it with the rest of us?

It's easy. Simply create a log in for free at the top right corner of this page. Then return to this article, and select the edit this page option from the tool box in the left column. Add your recipe, click save page at the bottom, and you're finished!

Visit LoveToKnow Recipes for our Mad Baker's special recipe for homemade dog treats!