Baking the Best Dog Treats at Home

Choosing the best dog or cat treats can truly be a daunting task for even the most educated pet owner. Between learning how to read the treat labels and figuring out what ingredients to avoid, it can get confusing and well, very time consuming. When it comes right down to it, the only real way you can be sure exactly what you are putting in your pet’s belly is by making treats at home. You might be thinking “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” but, it’s really much simpler than you think.

Check out these easy to follow recipes from The Dog Treat Kitchen. Like what you see? Stop by their website. It has a recipe for every taste bud and lifestyle! Heck, you might even be tempted to share with your dog.

Everyone loves Peanut Butter and if we have to put our money where our mouth is, we are certain that your dog will drool over these Peanut Butter and Bacon Biscuits.

Ingredients:

• 2 pieces bacon, thick cut, cooked and crumbled
• 1/8 cup bacon grease
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup ground flax
• 1/4 cup wheat bran
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup water

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Cook bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel.
3. Pour the bacon grease into a glass measuring cup.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground flax, wheat bran and baking powder.
5. Crumble the bacon, once cooled, and stir into the flour mixture.
6. In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the peanut butter approximately 30 seconds.
7. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg. Then pour in the peanut butter, water and bacon grease. Use a fork to whisk together the wet ingredients until completely combined.
8. Make a well in the dry ingredients, and pour in the peanut butter mixture.
9. Stir until combined.
10. Knead lightly in the bowl with your hands.
11. Lay down one large sheet of parchment paper, roll your dough onto it, then lay another piece of parchment on top. You’ll essentially have a dog treat dough sandwich.
12. Roll out to 1/2-inch thickness.
13. Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
14. Cut shapes out of the dough and place on your prepared baking sheet. Gather the extra dough, knead into a ball and repeat the process of rolling and cutting until there is no more dough.
15. Bake for 15 minutes.
16. Turn off the oven and leave the treats there to cool for two hours or overnight. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six months.

For the vegetarian dog in your life, try out these vegetarian Pumpkin Dog Biscuits!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oat flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients together in one bowl.
3. Lightly spray muffin cups or line with cupcake papers.
4. Spoon mixture into each cup.
5. Bake for 15 minutes in a mini muffin pan. Or, bake for 25 minutes in a regular muffin pan.
6. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Yield: 24 mini muffins or 12 regular muffins. Storing: These pumpkin muffin treats will last for about 1 week in the refrigerator. They will be good for up to 6 months in the freezer.

For the dog that might need to shed a few pounds, try these Weight Loss Dog Biscuits.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium ripe banana
• 1 cup shredded carrots (see note below)
• 1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
• 1/8 cup water (you may need to add an additional 1/8 cup water)
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• Additional flour for Rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mash the ripe banana in a small bowl.
3. Grate the carrots, and mix with the banana.
4. Then pour in the applesauce and water.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and oats.
6. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the carrot mixture.
7. Stir until thoroughly combined.
8. Knead the dough in the bowl with your hands.
9. Fold out onto a floured surface and continue to knead until a dough has formed.
10. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness.
11. Cut out into 3 inch pieces (I used a carrot shaped cookie cutter).
12. Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
13. Place the cut-outs on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.
14. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Storing: These treats will be fresh in the refrigerator for 3 weeks. Keep them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Yield: Using a 3 inch cookie cutter, you’ll get 24 biscuits.

Don’t forget to hop on over to The Dog Treat Kitchen for more valuable recipes and tips/tricks to get you started. We also suggest you check out the book “Easy Homemade dog Treat Recipes: Fun Homemade Dog Treats for the Busy Pet Lover” and if you have a cat, you try “The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook: Homemade Goodies for Finicky Felines.” You’ll be glad you did!