Dog treats

I've had a couple of people ask about my homemade dog treats. [Pause, while you wonder why I make homemade dog treats.] I make them because we've had some elderly dogs with health issues, and if you look at the labels of most treats, they have warnings that say not to give more than one or two a day. That's not just because the dogs may gain weight. It's also because the treats sometimes have unpronounceable ingredients (hydrodioxyfluorominicinate or some such), and dogs can react badly to them. I started investigating when the elderly dogs began appearing to have problems when they got too many treats (though it may have been unrelated) and discovered that it's really, really easy to make your own. It's also considerably less expensive. So why not?

And they are — believe me — absolute doggy crack. As in don't even think you'll only give them one. My pool guy says his dog stands staring at the plastic bag until he relents and gives him more. Seriously. Crack.

Here's the recipe:

Dog treats

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brewer's yeast
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk
1/4 cup wheat germ (or wheat bran or a little extra flour; this part is optional)
1 tsp salt

1-1/2 tbsp olive oil (that's 1 tbsp + 1-1/2 tsp, if you don't have a half tablespoon measure)
1 jar baby food chicken (optional)
1/2 cup chicken broth

3 tbsp chicken broth for basting

Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together dry ingredients to combine. Add oil, baby food and 1/2 cup broth; mix thoroughly.

Method #1: Roll out on floured surface to desired thickness (I usually go for about 1/8", but suit yourself). Cut into treat-size. I use a pizza cutter to make little strips, but if you've got a cool bone shape cookie cutter, you can use that. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

Method #2: Cut parchment paper to fit a baking sheet. Roll out the dough onto the parchment, sprinkling the top with flour to keep your rolling pin from sticking. Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips. Slip the whole thing, parchment paper and all, onto the baking sheet. If you've got the parchment paper (which you can wash and reuse), this method is much easier!

Bake for 10 minutes. Baste all pieces with the 3 tbsp chicken broth. Bake for another 10 minutes, then turn oven off and leave biscuits in the oven overnight, or for about 8 hours. They'll become nice and crunchy hard. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

You can use whatever kind of meat you like for these; I make them with chicken because I usually have chicken broth on hand. Be careful, though, to avoid any kind of broth with onion or too much garlic, since they can be dangerous for dogs.

The hardest part about making them is remembering to do it at night so they can dry out. Try it! You, too, can turn your dog into an addict!