Homemade Dog Food & Treats

Make dog food and treats at home to keep your pup happy and healthy.

Understanding the nutritional needs of a dog is the key to making healthy, tasty food at home. According to the Gourmet Sleuth website, dogs are omnivorous creatures requiring a balance of meat, carbohydrates and vegetable-based foods in their diet. Homemade pet food chefs must understand that there a several foods which are toxic to a dog including: raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, chocolate and artificial sweeteners. Be sure to cook all meat dishes carefully as dogs are susceptible to salmonella, E. coli and other food-borne illnesses.

Things You'll Need

• 3 pounds of ground meat (beef, chicken, liver, etc.)
• Large skillet
• Stove
• 4 cups of rice
• 9 cups water
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Dutch oven or saucepan
• Spoon
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 2-1/2 cups vegetable blend
• 1/2 cup measuring cup
• Cookie sheet
• Plastic food storage containers
• Large bowl
• 2-1/2 cups whole wheat flower
• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon ground beef bouillon cubes
• 1/3 cup meat drippings (turkey, chicken, beef, bacon, etc.)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup ice water
• Rolling pins
• Cookie cutters
• Basting brush
• 1/3 cup canola oil

Instructions

Homemade Dog Food

1. Brown 3 lbs. of ground meat in a large skillet.

2. Place 4 cups of rice, 9 cups of water, 1/4 cup of oats and 1 tsp. of salt in a large Dutch oven of sauce pan and bring to a boil.

3. Add 1/2 cup of low fat milk, 2-1/2 cup of frozen vegetables and cooked meat to the Dutch oven pan. Cook on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes or until liquid is fully absorbed. Stir consistently.

4. Remove cooked mixture from the heat and allow it cool until it a comfortable temperature to handle.

5. Scoop cooked mixture into 1/2 cup measuring cup. Press the mixture together. Flip the cup upside down on to a cookie sheet. Tap gently to release the 1/2 cup servings of dog food. Store food in plastic storage containers in the refrigerator.

6. Serve dogs a 1/2 cup serving per 30 lbs. of dog's weight.

Homemade Dog Treats

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Mix together 2-1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup powdered milk, 1 tbs. wheat germ and 1 tsp. beef bouillon cube granules in a large bowl.

3. Stir in 1/3 cup of meat drippings and one egg.

4. Use a tablespoon to add in water, one spoonful at a time. Keep adding water until the dough begins to stick together.

5. Lightly flour the cooking surface. Roll out dough using a rolling pin until the dough is about 1/2-inch thick. Press cookie cutters into the dough to create the biscuit shapes. Place biscuits 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the biscuits are firm. Allow the cooked biscuits to cool before serving to the dog.

References

• Homemade Dog Treats: Bacon Dog Biscuits
• All Recipes: Dog Biscuits
• Gourmet Sleuth: Homemade Dog Food Recipe
• All Recipes: Lucky and Rippy's Favorite Dog Food