Time To Switch To Homemade Dog Treats

Last week federal animal health officials announced that jerky treats imported from China have been linked to over 3,600 unexplainable dog illnesses.  The jerky treats have allegedly also been linked to 600 canine deaths.  These are startling statistics considering the FDA is still unsure as to what is causing the animals to get sick.  The chicken, duck, and sweet potato jerky treats also haven’t been recalled because it’s not clear what brands are causing the illnesses.  If you’re a dog owner, whether it is to American pitbull puppies or a senior Greyhound, it’s time to switch to homemade dog treats to ensure your pets’ safety.  Below are some easy and great fall recipes for treats that your dogs will be able to safely gobble up.

Fall Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Treats

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• ¾ cup canned 100% pure pumpkin
• 3 tablespoons all natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• water (as needed)

This recipe will make about 30 dog treats.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.   Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  Check the consistency of your dough; it should be stiff but workable.  Add water if needed to make your dough wetter.  Roll the dough out onto a floured surface into a ½ inch thick slab.  Feel free to use cookie cutters or simply cut the dough into ½” strips.  Bake treats in oven for approximately 40 minutes or until hard and serve!

Appetizing Apple and Pumpkin Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 grated or finely chopped apples
• 1 egg
• ½ cup canned 100% pure pumpkin
• water (as needed)

This recipe yields 30 treats.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Mix all ingredients in bowl and add water if the dough is too stiff.  Roll your dough out onto a floured surface until it is approximately ½ inch thick.  Use cookie cutters or cut dough into ½” strips.  Bake the treats in the oven for about 35 minutes or until treats are firm and crispy.

Turkey Day Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups corn meal
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• (2) 5 ounce cans of flaked turkey
• ½ cup canola oil
• 1 ½ cups water

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.  Use a food processor or an emulsion blender to puree the turkey.  Add oil and water to turkey puree and mix until the consistency is smooth.  Add the remaining ingredients to the turkey mixture and mix until combined.  Roll dough out onto a floured surface until dough is about ½” thick.  Cut into ½” strips or use cookie cutters.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Please note that these treats should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to share them with your dog.

Even if you’re not a baker, you will find these recipes very easy.  You don’t need to get creative with cookie cutter — your American pitbull puppies will enjoy the strips just as much.  The important thing to focus on is keeping your pets safe from dog treats that remain on store shelves.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Ashely is a dog lover and wants nothing but safe healthy food for her pets. She likes to share tips and ideas on pet treats and safety. To see more, check out her Twitter @ashelymarie1985.