How to Make Guinea Pig Treats

Guinea pigs, wonderful pets that they are, have two chief pleasures in life: food and fellowship. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can add a little sparkle to the former. Hand-feed these nutritious little biscuits to your squeaky friend, and you've got the second covered as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour, plus additional if necessary
• 1 tablespoon millet
• 1 tablespoon raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
• 2 tablespoons grated apple
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon honey

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, millet and sunflower seeds. Add apple, carrot, water and honey. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine; the mixture will be fairly stiff. If the dough is too loose, stir in additional flour in one-tablespoon increments. The dough will be sticky but should be fairly firm.
3. Place the dough on a well-floured surface and roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness. Dust the rolling pin frequently with whole wheat flour to avoid sticking. Use a small cookie cutter or a knife to cut the dough into 1-inch shapes.
4. Lay treats on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Do not allow them to burn. Let them cool completely on a wire rack; they'll harden as they cool. Store for one week in an airtight container. Freeze for longer storage.

Tips & Warnings

• Store-bought treats, even those labeled specifically for guinea pigs, aren't necessarily the best choice for your pet. Some contain a high percentage of sweetener and artificial colors and flavorings. Making your own treats ensures that you know exactly what your little friend is consuming.
• You can get millet and raw sunflower seeds in the bulk foods section of the health food store. Many grocery stores now also have a similar section.
• Guinea pigs eat to live and live to eat. Be sure that snacks--even wholesome ones like these homemade treats--don't take the place of a high-quality pelleted food made specifically for guinea pigs.