Ruby is on a grain free diet. It is a tad bit expensive but we’ve tried other dog foods with grains and the results were not pretty. Currently Ruby gets Blue Wilderness Healthy Weight dog food. I’ve tried other brands of grain free dog food with not so stellar results so I’m sticking to what I know works. And yes, Ruby eats healthier than either Charlie or me.
For treats I’ve been giving Ruby the occasional Milk-Bone dog biscuits. Just 2 weeks ago I realized D’OH!!! Milk-Bone dog biscuits have grains in them! That could be the possible explanation for the periodic bouts of super stinky gas and other tummy issues Ruby has. What is the purpose of feeding her grain free food if her snacks or treats have grain in them!? Sheesh.
So I started checking out Pinterest for grain free dog treats. There were tons of different recipes on there. I wanted super simple and after much research decided to try 2 different recipes. Now I also discovered that since flour is used as a binder in just about every single recipe I looked at, that I needed to buy either coconut or garbanzo bean flour. Those are truly grain free as opposed to rice flour. You can use any type of flour – wheat, rice, almond, etc. you want. Thankfully Whole Foods isn’t very far.
I’ve managed to lose the links for the recipes I’ve made but if you Google or search on Pinterest you will find plenty of options. Feel free to experiment with different veggies and flour. You can add pureed or sliced veggies such as carrots or peas to the mix instead of pumpkin. You can also add liquid meat stock instead of milk or water. The 2 recipes I made are listed below.
The treats made up really quickly, requiring just 30 minutes or so to bake. Since these treats are soft and have no preservatives I do not recommend making large batches unless you plan on freezing them. The treats will start to mildew if not kept in an airtight container and in the fridge. I just spooned the batter but you can roll it out and use cookie cutters if you want to make your dog treats pretty looking.
Ruby ABSOLUTELY loves her new treats! The Milk-Bones she would take and bury in the backyard to dig up later. These treats Ruby snarfs down immediately, even the burnt ones! She is constantly begging for more and if I open the fridge will get right inside the door, trying to get the container.
Pumpkin Doggie Treats
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumkin
2 tbsp. dry milk
1/4 tsp sea salt (I left this out)
2 1/2 C flour – I used coconut
1 tsp dried parsley
Preheat oven to 350. Whisk together eggs & pumpkin until smooth. Stir in dry ingredients slowly to form a stiff, dry dough. More pumpkin or other pureed vegetable can be added if too dry.
Spoon dough onto a cookie sheet. Bake 30 mins. Allow to cool on rack.
Birthday Bones
2 C flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 C peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1 C milk
preheat oven to 375. Mix peanut butter and milk until smooth. Slowly stir in flour and baking powder. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes.
Do you make your own pet treats?
Elizabeth
I have made some in the past (kept in a bag in the freezer). When I made them, I added ground up Brewer’s Yeast (ground up the tablets I buy in the pet section at Wal-Mart) and/or dried mint. The mint helps digestion & breath while the Brewer’s Yeast is a natural flea & tick repellent (no need for chemicals to get rid of fleas!) Haven’t made them in years, but I may start again this summer. I have a small dogbone shaped cookie cutter….
I added parsley which helps with breath too. I might add some mint next time and the brewer’s yeast. I found it was easier just to drop the mix versus rolling out and using a cookie cutter.
what recipe do you use?
Elizabeth recently posted..Homemade Doggie Treats
I can’t remember where I found it. 🙁
I haven’t tried it for Dude, but I think I will after seeing how easy it is! Thanks!!!
It would be great for Dude as finicky as he is and with his tummy issues. Like my sister suggested, add brewer’s yeast for the fleas since Dude is also susceptible to the chemicals in most repellants.
Katt: We have been giving our dogs Brewer’s Yeast tablets (found in the pet section at Wal-Mart) for years to control fleas & ticks. I am allergic to most chemicals, and this in an all-natural remedy. One tablet per 10 pounds of dog daily and No More Fleas! No chemicals either!! Our vet is always amazed when she sees Sheba at how she doesn’t ahve any sign of fleas or ticks. I add them to her morning crunchies.
I never thought about making dog treats…what a great idea! I will have to try this…we have 3 dogs who would probably love this!
Michelle recently posted..Did I really come home to this?
I never thought about it either until this month either. It is cheaper and better for your dogs in the long run. Super easy too! I will never go back to store bought treats again.