When I changed my diet and began eating plant-based, whole foods, it was only natural for me to reconsider what I fed my dog, Benny. He is, after all, my baby, my little guy, my heart. So I modified his diet to include nutritious, whole foods as well, and I prepare his meal alongside mine every day. Benny is a picky eater, so finding biscuits and sweets that were both healthful and appealing to him was a challenge. I decided I needed to learn how to create delicious dog treats for Benny at home.
There are numerous advantages to producing your own dog treats: you have complete control over the ingredients; you can eliminate all preservatives, additives, fillers, and byproducts; you can accommodate to any of your dog's dietary requirements; and you may select the flavor combinations your dog prefers. With all of the recalls on dog treats these days, there is nothing more reassuring and fulfilling than knowing you are providing your furry friend with treats that are healthy, safe, and, of course, full of love.
Making homemade dog treats is a simple way to show your dog that you care. Just be aware that certain components, such as macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, chocolate, apple seeds, and significant amounts of onion and garlic, may be poisonous to dogs. Because each dog is unique, please consult with your veterinarian to determine which components are appropriate for your dog.
Dog biscuits can be made with any flour, so why not choose the healthiest options? Whole-wheat flour and whole-wheat pastry flour are both excellent options. If your dog is allergic to wheat, use gluten-free flours such as chickpea, sorghum, or oat flour. Oatmeal is a great method to add fiber and chewiness to the treats. I use a combination of whole-wheat pastry flour, sorghum flour, almond meal, and rolled oats to make Benny's Peanut Butter Biscuits. I would just replace the whole-wheat flour with extra sorghum flour or high-protein chickpea flour to make them gluten-free. I've discovered that I don't need to add any baking powder, baking soda, or egg replacers to make biscuits with a crunchy surface and a chewy center.
You may make homemade biscuits with any mix of healthful foods you like. Apples, bananas, berries, broccoli, carrots, celery, citrus (without the seeds), eggplant, green beans, kale, melons (without the seeds), potatoes, spinach, squash, tomatoes, watermelon (without the seeds), and zucchini are all safe. Peanut butter is a popular choice for dogs since they enjoy it and it is naturally sweet. Dogs cannot consume chocolate, but they can consume carob, which has a similar flavor. Carob powder is available, or you can add carob chips to your cookies. For added taste, sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon. Whole grains like oats and brown rice are excellent additions. Put a spoon or two of your dog's favorite prepared dog food in your biscuit mix for a simple way to add tastes she already enjoys. The variety of goodies you may make by combining and combining components is limitless.
Dog biscuits can be sweet, savory, or a combination of the two. When I make sweet Benny biscuits, I add a small quantity of molasses or maple syrup and a dash of pure vanilla flavor. These components pair well with his favorite flavors, carob and peanut butter. He also like savory biscuits with sweet potato, carrots, spinach, or kale filling. For an even more enticing fragrance and taste, I use vegan "beef" or "chicken" flavored broth instead of water when making these more savory goodies. Of course, you can use your imagination to create unique treats that delight your dog's sweet and savory taste sensibilities by combining carrots and peanut butter or spinach and banana.
The real pleasure begins once the dough for the unique delicacies is mixed. That's when I pull out my cookie cutters and cut out colorful shapes for the biscuits. I know you're thinking that's more for me than for Benny, but I'm sure he enjoys cookies in fun forms like bones, hearts, and kitty cats. To make things easier, roll the dough out on a flat baking sheet and cut it into pieces using a knife before baking. I bake the biscuits, which are small 2-inch cookies, at 400 degrees for 18 minutes, or until they are firm and crisp. Larger biscuits will take a little longer to bake. Alternatively, they can be crisped on the stovetop in a dry pan over medium-low heat. Keep them in a covered food container and, if they have icing, in the refrigerator.
While the decorations and designs are for us, our dogs enjoy the flavor of the frosting or icing. Of course, we don't want our dogs to eat too many sweets, but a small amount as a treat is acceptable. Nondairy yogurt, vegan cream cheese, carob, banana, peanut butter, pureed fruits and vegetables, and even mashed potatoes can be used to produce icing. Mixing yogurt with peanut butter or cream cheese is a simple recipe. If it's too thin, add a spoonful of flour at a time until it's the right consistency. To enhance the flavors and colors, add vanilla, cinnamon, carob, or parsley. When the frosting is ready, spread it on the cooled biscuits with a flat knife or a pastry bag. If you don't have a pastry bag, spoon the icing into a plastic baggie, snip the tip off the end, and squeeze the icing out however you wish to decorate.
Making dog treats at home is a fun and caring activity for your four-legged best friend. Once you've mastered the technique of cutting out adorable shapes and icing them, you may make unique gifts for your dog's birthday or "gotcha" day. Before you know it, you'll be handing out handmade dog treats to all of your friends, and tails will be wagging all over the place. Oh, and because they're created with real ingredients, your dog might be willing to share one with you. Woof!
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