Dog Treat Recipes: Only the Best for your Best Friend

People always ask me to recommend some high quality treats for their furry friends and I always lovingly suggest that the best way to make sure your pup has the best is to read the labels! Make sure the ingredients in your treats are all natural. The fewest number of ingredients listed is always best. Also, a good rule of thumb is to make sure there is nothing in the ingredient listing that is hard to pronounce. Ingredients like: chicken, duck, lamb, rice, sweet potato – these are all excellent. Ingredients like By-Products, preservatives, and additives are usually to be avoided.

For those who have the time and want to experiment and make some treats for their dogs, here are some recipes I like:
Apple Crunch Pupcakes

2 3/4 cups water

1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup dried apple chips ( you can also use fresh fruit)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 egg, beaten slightly

4 tablespoons honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with cooling spray.
Mix all wet ingredients thoroughly. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Add wet to dry slowly , scraping well to make sure no dry mixture is left. Pour into muffin tins. Bake for 1 1/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out dry. Sotre in a sealed container. Makes around 12-14 pupcakes.

Archie Squares

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup powdered dry milk

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. brown sugar or honey

6 tbs. meat or bacon drippings, cold right from refrigerator, not melted or soft!

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/2 cup Ice water

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour, dry milk, garlic powder and sugar. Cut in meat drippings until mixture resembles corn meal. Mix in egg. Add enough water so that mixture forms a ball. Using your fingers, pat out dough onto cookie sheet to 1/2" thick. Cut dough into squares appropriate for your dog size. Prick each cookie with fork. Bake 25-30 minutes. Remove from tray and cool on rack. Store in airtight container.

Bad Breath Banishers

2 cups brown rice flour

1 Tablespoon activated charcoal (find this at drugstores, not the briquets!)

3 Tablespoons canola oil

1 egg

1/2 cup chopped fresh mint

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

2/3 cup lowfat milk

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour and charcoal. Add all the other ingredients.Drop teaspoonfulls on oiled sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake 15-20 minutes. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Bait Snacks

½ cup warm water

1/2 cup powdered dry milk

1 pound liver, chopped

½ cup wheat germ

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup corn meal

1 cup whole wheat flour

Liquefy liver and water in food processor. Pour into a mixing bowl and add all the other ingredients. Mix well and pour onto greased cookie sheet. Spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cut quickly into squares while hot (or use cookie cutter) . Store in freezer. Variation: You can substitute ½ cup peanut butter instead of the liver and garlic.

Banana Biscotti

5 cups flour

1/4 cup peanuts, chopped

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 ½ cups banana, pureed

2 teaspoons vanilla

water

Preheat oven to 325F. Place dry ingredients in large bowl. Make a well in the center. Blend egg, oil and banana together. Add into the dry ingredinets in well. start combining together. Add water, one teaspoon at a time as needed. Knead by hand on table until mixed thoroughly. Form into logs approximately 2" - 2 1/2" high. Flatten so that log iis 6" -- 7" wide by 1" high. Place on non-stick baking sheets or lightly greased ones. Bake 30 - 40 minutes. Remove and cool for 10 minutes. Slice into 1/2" - 3/4" slices. Place on baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Store in airtight container.

Bowser Biscuits

1 pkg. dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water

2 cups flour

2 cups warm chicken or beef broth

1 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup powdered milk

1 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup margarine or butter

2 cups cracked wheat

1/4 cup honey

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 Egg; Beaten

In small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In large bowl combine broth, powdered milk, margarine, honey, egg. Add yeast/water and mix well. Stir in flour, cornmeal, wheat germ and cracked wheat. Mix well. Add whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead in the final amounts of flour by hand and continue kneading for 4-5 minutes until dough is not sticky. Pat or roll dough to 1/2" thickness and cut into bone shapes. Place on a greased cookie sheet, cover lightly and let set for 20 minutes. Bake in a 350F. oven for 45 minutes. Turn off heat and leave in oven several hours or over night. Makes approximately 3 1/2 pounds.

Cheese Multi-Grain Dog Biscuits

1 cup uncooked Oatmeal

1/4 cup butter or bacon drippings

1 egg, beaten

1 1/2 cups hot water

1 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup powdered Milk

1 cup wheat germ

4 oz (1 cup) grated cheese

3 cups whole wheat flour

In large bowl pour hot water over oatmeal and butter/bacon drippings; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in powdered milk, grated cheese, egg. Add cornmeal and wheat germ. Mix well. Add flour, 1/3 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead 3-4 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough. Pat or roll dough to 1/2" thickness. Cut into shapes and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour at 300F. Turn off heat and dry in oven for 1 1/2 hours or longer. Makes approximately 2 1/4 pounds.

Cheesie Bacon Biscuits

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 stick margarine, softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups regular oats, uncooked

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

2/3 cup wheat germ

1/2 lb. bacon, cooked crisp, drained, and crumbled

Combine flour, soda and salt; mix well and set aside. Cream butter and sugar; beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture, mixing well. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 16 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for a minute or so before removing to cooling rack.

Cheesie Bites

1 cup wheat flour

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon soft butter or margarine

1/2 cup milk

Mix flour and cheese together. Add the softened butter. Slowly add milk till you form a stiff dough. You may not need all of the milk. Knead on floured board for a few minutes.
Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees oven for 15 minutes. Let cool in oven with the door slightly open till cold and firm. Refrigerate to keep fresh.

Chicken Liver Cookies

2 cups Flour

3 tbs. Vegetable oil

1 cup wheat germ or cormeal if wheat allergies are a problem

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tsp. parsley

1 cup cooked chicken liver, chopped

ombine flour and wheat germ. In separate bowl, beat egg with oil, then add broth & parsley, mix well. Add the dry ingredients to bowl a little at a time, stirring well. Fold in chicken livers and mix well. Dough will be firm. Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Roll out 1/2" thick and cut into shapes. Place on greased cookie sheet 1" apart. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes or until firm. Store in refrigerator.

When you use premium ingredients and make these treats with love, your dog will be as thankful for having you around as you are for having him!