DIY Pet Food

Years ago, as a Secret Santa gift, a family member presented me with a cookbook -- not just any cookbook, but one that was 100% dedicated to cooking for your dog, complete with an included bone-shaped cookie cutter. I thought she was nuts, but politely took the book and accoutrement home with me and tucked them away in the back of a drawer, hoping to avoid any ensuing mockery from family and friends. 

Once I cracked that book open, however, I realized it was the real deal and the joke had been on me all those years I'd been buying dog treats for upwards of $10 for a month's supply, when ingredients cost less than $1. In this month's issue of The Bark magazine -- the New Yorker for pet lovers -- experts weigh in on the aftermath of the pet food recall in "Pet Food Confidential" and how it's made us all realize that we not only can but need to start whipping up healthier (and cheaper) pet food options for our four legged friends.

Check out these two articles from Bark for tips on simply and easily incorporating just 10 healthy pet food ingredients into your pantry to painlessly feed the cats and dogs while saving major bucks on pet food.

For pet food recipes, check out this free how-to guide from AllRecipes.com, or pick up a copy of the bestseller Pet Food Nation by Joan Weiskopf, now in paperback.

My dog's favorite? This easy, peasy, cheesy, beefy dog treat recipe, courtesy of my Bichon-loving stepmom:

Cheap n' Cheesy Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

2 to 3 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup rolled oats (such as Quaker)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 egg, beaten

1 cup boiling water

½ cup milk

¾ cup cornmeal

1/3 cup margarine

2 tablespoons chicken or beef flavored bouillon cubes

1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine, and boiling water; let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in cornmeal, sugar, buillon, milk, cheese, and egg; mix well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form a stiff dough.

On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to ½ inch thickness, cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. 

Yield:

Makes 3 ½ dozen large dog biscuits or 8 dozen small dog biscuits.

Comments

[Vanessa]

My dogs love home-made dog cookies and cakes. But, wheat and corn are not good for dogs - I would avoid recipes that contain these.

[crissie]

thats super cute...

[Natalie]

I've been making and giving out dog treats for a year now and there are wonderful recipes all over the web! Pumpkin is one of the best and most healthful ingredients.
After all my research to insure I wasn't making mistakes that commercial treats do, I found GARLIC is NOT GOOD for dogs. It is in the onion famiy & NOT needed for taste or repelling bugs. (Use a natural spray!). Watch beef bullion cubes cuz they contain ONION & GARLIC very often and very high in sodium. CORN in any form (cornmeal) is not a good ingredient and many dogs are allergic to corn (mine is) and SUGAR is only a vice of humans. Dogs don't need it in any amount! Happy baking!

[Stop Dog Biting]

Wow what a great & informative article has been posted here. Thanks friend for this article. Because now i can prepare more healthy and hygienic food for my Tommy, while in low cost.