How to Make Fun Summer Treats for Your Dog

Tip: How to Make Fun Summer Treats for Your Dog

Wendy's New Pet Cookbook

I have spent the summer writing my new cookbook. It will be released around November 16, and will be called The Natural Pet Cookbook for Cats and Dogs. I have created over seventy-five new recipes for this book, and there just wasn't room for them all, so I thought it would be fun to share one with you!

Did you know that dogs need to have at least three vegetables and ½ cup fruit a day in their diet? Some of today's better commercial dry dog foods have always had the correct ingredients in them. However, we have just experienced the worst pet food recall in history, and you may have noticed that companies like IAMS® are now making an all natural kind of kibble that has great vegetables and fruits in it.

It's important to feed your dog kibble for many reasons. For example, kibble helps to keep a dog's teeth clean, and it has the right minerals and vitamins to keep him healthy. At the same time, it can be fun and very healthy to cook for your own dog. Keep in mind you always want to check with your own vet before you start cooking for your pet. You also want to keep your recipes low in salt and fat and provide good fiber too.

Twice Baked Blueberry Banana and Pumpkin Biscotti

Here is a great hard cookie you can make for your dog. I love this treat because it is hard enough to help clean their teeth and has a natural sweetness that dogs love. I have also added a small amount of carrots so you know they are getting their fruits and veggies!

Pre-Heat your oven to 350°

You'll need two large cookie sheets sprayed with non-stick spray, and a food processor or a blender to make sure the ingredients are well blended.

This recipes yields 20, 4-inch long biscotti.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup canned plain pumpkin pureé (not the pie filling)
• ½ cup cut banana, peeled
• ½ cup fresh or defrosted blueberries
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup baking soda
• ¼ cup baking powder
• 2 tablespoons safflower oil
• 1 large fresh egg
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon dark molasses

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large stainless steel mixing bowl, mix together: flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In your food processor or blender, mix in: banana, blueberries, pumpkin, oil, honey, water, egg, vanilla and molasses. Blend very well until you have everything pureed.
3. Now it is time to combine your wet ingredients with your dry. Take your large bowl with flour mixture and add all your wet ingredients together. I like to use my hands, but you can use a very big fork and spoon to mix the batter if until it becomes dough-like. Kneed the dough until it holds together and becomes smooth and easy to work with. Do not over kneed because this will make your dough tough.
4. Turn your dough onto a floured surface and divide it into two loaves. Flatten each loaf out a bit to look like a fat loaf that is flat on top and round on the sides. Each loaf should be about 5 inches wide and about 7 inches long.
5. Place both loaves on a greased cookie sheet and use a fork to poke holes all over the top of each.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown. TURN OVEN DOWN TO 300° to cool for a bit. Now here is the fun part! Take the loaves out of the oven and put them on a cooling rack to cool for 45 minutes. Then, use a bread knife to slice each loaf into slices that are about ¼ inch thick and place them all back on the greased cookie sheet with the cut sides down. Return them to the 300° oven and bake for another 30-45 minutes until they are brown and dried.
7. Take the slices out of the oven, and let them cool well. These cookies can be stored in an airtight bag for two weeks in the refrigerator, or for up to three months in the freezer. If your cookie ever gets too moist, then just place in a toaster oven (or regular oven) at 300° to bake for 15 minutes. This gives the cookie a chance to harden and dry out again. If you have a good airtight container, then you can store them on the kitchen counter for one week.

I hope you try these fun summer treats. Feel free to experiment with your ingredients. You can add carrots, or drained and dried spinach instead of the banana and the blueberries.

"Remember the animals in your life are not just your pets, they're your friends."~~ WNR

More Tips from Wendy

• How to Make Your Own First Aid Kit
• How to Take a Great Photo with your Pooch
• Cleaning Your Dogs Ears
• How to Make Homemade Minted Tennis Balls
• Dog Sleep