The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Pet treats of all sorts

redivyfarm's picture
redivyfarm

Pet treats of all sorts

I've seen a few mentions of baking dog biscuits among the postings here. Does anyone have a recipe or tip to share? I've used variations on recipes driven by something in the freezer that I didn't want to waste but didn't want to eat either.

I have large parrots and dogs and bake specifically for them at times (and accidently for them at times). One thing I do is throw eggs in the blender shell and all when baking for the birds to boost the calcium. I also include as many carrots as the recipe will hold because they like them baked-in but not alone.

The flock will appreciate your creativity.

browndog's picture
browndog

Redivy, I make biscuits all the time, and am more dedicated than ever due to the recent gluten scare. I use a basic recipe that I modify depending on what I have on hand or want to use up, which lately includes starter discard. I find the liquid needed varies a lot. Sometimes I add cooked blended (YECH) liver instead of the cheese, about 1/2 a pound. You haven't lived, let me say, til you've blended liver. The beauty part of dog biscuits is that no matter what you do to them the dogs will still tell you that these are "The Best Biscuits They Ever Had"

  • 3 cups AP flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup cracked wheat or bulgur
  • 1/2 cup rye flour
  • 1/2 cup brewer's yeast
  • 1/4 cup milk powder
  • 1 tbsp bone meal
  • 1 tbsp kelp powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • 1/4 cup corn oil
  • 2 tbsp blackstrap molasses

With your hands mix everything together adding water or broth if necessary to make a stiff but not crumbly dough. Let rest 20min or more. Roll out 1/4" thick. Cut in desired shapes. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 for 1-1 1/2 hours. Leave in oven to cool.  Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen 4" biscuits.

I know mountaindog has mentioned biscuit baking. Maybe she'll chime in.

Give your pooch a scritchy for me!

mountaindog's picture
mountaindog

Browndog, nice biscuit recipe, especially with the kelp and blackstrap molasses, very nutritional for dogs.

I myself do not have any biscuit recipes, but I think some were posted here back a few months. I actually do not feed my dogs any grains at all as the breed tends to have wheat allergies which affects their skin and ears, so they eat a raw meaty bone diet, and for treats they get cheese or freeze-dried liver cubes. But if I were to make biscuits, your recipe looks like a good one! If you have not already seen it, this is a great book that I think has some biscuit recipes in it also: Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.

Woof! 

browndog's picture
browndog

I should've said think when I said know. Wasn't you, huh? Somebody mentioned doing up a batch of biscuits in their mixer a while ago, hmmm. (You know I could so hijack this site for animal-related chatter...if any of you do want to share animal tales I'm at brown dog independent at tds dot net.) Mountaindog, I've got the Doctor's old complete guide but it looks like the update is worth getting. My recipe is a conglomerate of the ones in his book and another I can't even recall where it came from, I just trolled for the ingredients mix that sounded best. I used to include crushed fresh garlic and still do sometimes but there has been a certain amount of concern about it because of the dog/onion issue. My limited research shows that a dog would have to consume quite a lot for it to matter, though. Also, REDIVY, I do frequently add peanut butter to the above mess, my dog Lily seems to prefer it even to the cheese or liver. Go figure. As I say, the liquid varies A LOT, so I go strictly by feel, adding flour or fluid if I need it after I've added all the 'goodies.' Same holds true for the baking time--I let them go til they are pretty firm, let them cool, and if they aren't crunchy I pop them back in the oven for a while. Biscotti!---Parrots, way cool! I hear they're more demanding than a litter of Golden Retriever puppies, and SMART.

cgmeyer2's picture
cgmeyer2

does anyone have a recipe for cat treats or homemade cat food.  my cat is extremely picky.

claudia