April 20 -  Dog Treats
The Carefree Gourmet - by Joyce McCombs

This week the Carefree Test kitchens are doing a bit of time travel and heading back to the good old days of March 2002. In the past two weeks I’ve had countless requests from worried pet owners to run a few recipes for home made chow for Fido. Although I don’t ever re-run a column, (although it’s tempting after 18 years of writing!), I’m happy to oblige with this revised and updated list of ideas for pets. I also want to let you know that lists of the products affected by the pet food recall are available free at the Delta Library and on line at menufoods.com. I haven’t heard of anyone in town who actually purchased any of the suspect food, and I sure hope all our beloved local critters stay healthy.

Since we’re just leaving the Easter candy zone, here’s a reminder that that chocolate is bad for dogs, even though they love it and can develop a sweet tooth just like people. The culprit in chocolate is theobromine, and as little as 2 grams a day can be lethal. According to an article in Veterinary Technician, the reason dogs are sensitive to this naturally occurring chemical is unknown, but the results are almost universal. The best advice is simple: don't feed dogs chocolate, and if they happen to get into some, watch closely for signs of illness such as restlessness, agitation, vomiting, tremors or seizures.

Onions are another people food that dogs need to avoid, though a little bit in the table scraps won't hurt now and then. Raw garlic isn't good either, though sometimes I think it would actually improve some of the doggy breath I've sniffed! Things that sound and tastes good to people, and what dogs think they need to beg for can often work at cross purposes when it comes to good pet nutrition.

Did you know that dogs consider macadamia nuts as much a delicacy as most people do? Did you also know the nuts will cause lethargy, vomiting and hyperthermia as soon as 3 hours after a dog eats them? Scientists believe that the nerve and muscle membranes somehow can't metabolize all the chemicals found in macadamias, and the resulting imbalance throws the whole nervous and respiratory system out of whack.

That’s the scary information, and here’s the good news. Our local Vet, Dr. Clint Crusberg, says it's ok to feed moderate amounts of table scraps to the family pet, making sure to not overdo any of the big three "no-no" ingredients we just mentioned. He suggests supplementing dry food with tasty bits of potato skins, salmon skin, juice from canned tuna and bits of vegetables for variety and flavor. He advised you should watch the fat content, especially for house pets, but working dogs will love those extra tidbits whenever you can fit them in, and will give them extra stamina out on the trail or at the weight pull. Too much salt can sneak into a dogs diet just as fast as in our own, so if you add a little broth to the water dish to encourage good hydration, make sure it's highly diluted. Milk is hard for dogs to digest and will often make their tummies uncomfortable and most foods are better served cooked than raw. I heard a hearty and unqualified "YES!" from Doc when I asked about those big beef or rib bones. He said, "That's half the fun of having a dog, isn't it? Giving ‘em a bone once in a while!". It’s still a big NO to any poultry bones, since they tend to splinter, but the cooked skin of poultry is fine. Frozen broccoli is a fun treat for dogs to munch on, and the extra vitamins won't hurt them a bit. A bit of cooked egg and some wheat germ oil mixed into dry food not only adds vitamins but also can make a dull coat nice and glossy.

Even though dogs think everything you're eating at the table is WAY better than what’s in their dish, it isn't always a good idea to share and share alike, even though those big brown eyes are so expressive and those slobbery kisses just melt your heart. Commercial pet food is well balanced for our omnivore pooch pals, and full of all the good vitamins they need, but there’s nothing wrong with feeding home made mixtures of meat and rice and broth for a while if you’re worried about products for the next month or so. And here are a few fun things you can make at home just for your pampered pooch. They have the added advantage of being fresh from your kitchen and using ingredients you know and trust from your own pantry. And how fun will it be to let your dog know that yes, he CAN have a bite of what you’re baking? Woof!

Dog Biscuits

Find a dog bone shaped cookie cutter for these or make one of your own out of very stiff cardboard to use as a template. The powdered milk, wheat germ and soy flour make a powerhouse high protein combination.

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1 tablespoon soy flour
6 tablespoons bacon grease or Crisco
1 egg
1/2 cup cold water

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in grease. Add egg. Add just enough cold water to mixture to form a ball. Roll out and cut with cookie cutter. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cool.

Peanut Butter Poppers
 

Most dogs love peanut butter, and it's a great source of high quality and natural oils for their coats as well. Watch for dog smiles!

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
Puffed rice cereal

Combine the flour, water, peanut butter and baking powder. Form about one tablespoon dough around pieces of rice cereal. Don't worry if they seems crumbly, they will firm up when baked.

Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool on wire racks.

WOOF Waffles
 

4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups water

Preheat oven to 325. Mix everything together in a large bowl - you might as well use your hands since it's a pretty stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 8-inch squares.

Place each square on a cold, unplugged waffle iron and press. Remove dough carefully from waffle iron and place on greased cookie sheets and bake for one hour. Let cool on wire racks before breaking into smaller pieces.

Soft Doggie Cookies

Recommended especially for older or smaller dogs.

Three 2 1/2 ounce jars of beef or chicken baby food
1/4 cup dry milk powder
1/4 cup wheat germ or Cream of Wheat

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Roll into small balls and place on well-greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until brown. Cool on wire racks. Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

Chicken Liver Snaps

Don't leave out the parsley - it's great for the digestion and for good breath - just like in people!

2 cups flour (part whole wheat if you like)
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup cooked, chopped chicken liver
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 lightly beaten egg
2 teaspoons chopped dried parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine flour and wheat germ. In separate bowl, beat egg with oil, then add broth and parsley, mix well. Add dry ingredients. to bowl a little at a time, stirring well. Fold in chicken livers and mix well. Dough will be firm. Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Roll out 1/2" thick and cut into shapes. Place on greased cookie sheet 1" apart. Bake 15 minutes or until firm. Store in refrigerator.

Bread Machine Dog Cookies

1 cup beef, chicken or fish stock
1 cup flour
1 cup whole wheat or rye flour
1 cup bulgur wheat
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoon yeast

Use dough cycle then roll out 1/4 " thick. Cut as desired and place on baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise in warm place about 45 minutes. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. When
all are baked, turn off oven and return all cookies to cooling oven overnight to harden.

Doggone Goodies

Makes 150 medium treats -- they'll be all gone before you know it!

3 1/2 cups flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup rye flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 cup cracked wheat
4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dry milk
1 egg
1 package dry yeast
2 cups chicken stock

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add chicken stock and pour into dry ingredients. Knead for 3 minutes, working into a stiff dough. Roll dough into a 1/4" thick sheet and cut into desired shapes
Bake at 300 for 45 minutes, then turn oven off and leave biscuits in oven overnight. In the morning the biscuits will be bone hard.

Next time we’ll check into some home made food and treats that will make Fluffy purr with contentment.

  

Index to Carefree Gourmet Articles

Sourdough Sensations June 29, 2007

Kitty Treats June 29, 2007

Dog Treats April 20, 2007

Sandwich Plan March 23, 2007

Carefree Wacky Ingredients March 8, 2007

Homestead Hearth January 25, 2007

Carefree Cooking 101 January 11, 2007

Holiday Punch December 23, 2006

Holiday Treats December 12, 2006

Thanksgiving II November 20, 2006

Standby Favorites October 16, 2006

Cabbage October 11, 2006

Apples September 22, 2006

Kids Cook July 6, 2006

Wacky Tips June 8, 2006

Graduation May 11, 2006

African Cuisine April 13, 2006

A Bit of Irish March 23, 2006

Crazy for Carrots March 9, 2006

February Vacation February 23, 2006

Easy Budget January 12, 2006

Christmas Treats December 22, 2005

Sweet Surprises December 8, 2005

Turkey Times  November 22, 2005

Grand Champions - Part 2 - October 13, 2005

Janet Boyer September 22, 2005

Grand Champions September 5, 2005

Blueberries  August 12, 2005

Halibut and Zukes July 28, 2005

Orange Juice July 14, 2005

Happy Birthday June 30, 2005

Honey June 9, 2005

Picnic Dishes May 26, 2005

Celebration Salads May 12, 2005

Kraft Foods April 21, 2005

Shrimp April 7, 2005

Carry on Airline snacks March 25, 2005

Sandwiches March 10, 2005

Back from Vacation February 24, 2005

Super Bowl Snack Attack  January 14, 2005

Ginger Snaps December 29, 2004

Christmas Memories - December 12, 2004

Thanksgiving November 23, 2004

Glen and Meat  October 29, 2004

Blueberry Pie Champion  September 30, 2004

Fair Winners  September 2, 2004

Glen's Knives June 11, 2004

Aunt Aggie Tells All... May 13, 2004

Crazy About Catsup April 29, 2004

Carefree Clearance Special April 8, 2004

Seattle Adventure March 26, 2004

Vegas, part 2 March 12, 2004

Vegas Wind February 12, 2004

Casserole Bonanza January 11, 2004

No Fuss Dishes  December 19, 2003

Fake and Bake Christmas  December 11, 2003