With the recent recalls on commercial dog treats another option of providing tasty, healthy, treats can be found in your own kitchen. Homemade treats can be made for even the most budget minded dog owner. Easy to make, nutritionally balanced, and minimum cost to make. The biggest advantage is the treats are freshly made and not contaminated with deadly bacteria like the recently recalled commercially made treats. You’ll enjoy being a canine chef & your pups will love you for it!

Yams, sweet potatoes, baby carrots, apple slices, and frozen green beans are favorites of our canine friends.

Dried Yams & Sweet Potatoes
Dried yams & sweet potatoes can be made in a gas oven. Thinly slice (1/4 inch). Place single layer of the yams on a cookie sheet. Leave in the oven for 8 hours. The heat from the pilot light will dry out the yams. Turn over the slices so both sides will dry out evenly. Leave in the over for 4 more hours or until the slices are dried and crispy.  If you don’t have a gas stove you can purchase a dehydrator. By drying food yourself will save you 80% of what commercial dog food companies charge.

Baby Carrots
Slice the baby carrots lengthwise into 4 sections.  Stir 1 tsp of chicken baby food into  2/3 cup of warm water, and mix thoroughly.   Add the fresh carrots. Your dog will enjoy the refreshing drink with crispy carrot slices.

Frozen Green Beans
A tasty treat straight out of the bag. This is a good treat for dogs watching their waistline.

Rice chips Easy, no fat, low phosphorous dog treats.
2 tablespoons of Mochiko sweet rice flour (for cookies)
2 tablespoons of water
extra Mochiko for dusting pan (sweet rice flour)

Put  2 tablespoons of Mochiko flour in a small glass bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of warm water.  Mix until consistency of  bread dough.  Place dough on floured wax paper and  kneed until smooth.  You may need to sprinkle more rice flour to keep the mixture from sticking to your hands & wax paper.  Spread dough out to 1/4 inch thickness.  Using a floured knife, cut the dough into desired shapes.  I like to cut the dough into 2 x 1/2 inch strips.  I then round the edges.  Place sheet in the oven, and let the rice dough dry out for 24-48 hours in a gas oven, using the warmth from the  pilot light.

Winchester Wafers (By Mandy C)
2 c. Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour (Gluten Free)
¼ tsp. Bob’s Red Mill Xanthan Gum
6 oz. Medium Bananas, Mashed (approx. 1-1/2 bananas)
1 tbsp. Raw Honey
2 tsp. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Preheat oven to 315º.  Mix all ingredients together well (I use a food processor).  Flour surface and roll out dough to desired thickness.  Cut with appropriate sized cookie cutter for dog’s mouth.  Bake for approx. 40 min. (turning cookies over after 20 min.)—or until golden brown on each side.  Cool thoroughly before giving to your dog.

Since these cookies do not have any preservatives, only keep out a few days worth at a time.  They may be frozen for up to 3 months.

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