Save Money with Recipes for Homemade Healthy Dog Treats

By using some basic ingredients you probably already have on hand in your pantry or are on your regular shopping list, you can save money by making your own dog treats with these healthy recipes.  Make double or triple batches and freeze the extras.

My sister, Kirsten, grew tired of the ups and downs of the high tech and telecom industry and about five years ago decided to open her own business.  She owns and operates 4LeggedFriendzee, a very successful doggie daycare, boarding kennel and dog grooming business in southern Maine.

Kirsten and her husband Bruce, have four laborador retrievers of their own.  Here are her recipes for money saving, healthy, homemade special treats enjoyed by Porter, Bella, Maya and Truman, the 4 resident Labs at 4LeggedFriendzee – they love to share them with their friends on special occasions and holidays!

Soft Banana Strips

Ingredients:

1 egg

1 cup fast-cooking oats

1/2 banana
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup flour (white or whole wheat)
1/8 cup rice

Squash bananas, and beat the egg. Mix all ingredients then spread evenly on a
plate. Next, heat in microwave for 3 and 1/2 minutes. when done, let them cool.
Then cut and serve. The rice can be pre-cooked or un-cooked for xtra crunch!

Pupsicles
Ingredients:
1 quart fruit juice
1 banana, mashed
1/2 cup yogurt

Mix ingredients together thoroughly, then freeze. These can be eaten by people too!

Banana Bites
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 egg
1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 beef bullion cube dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water
1 tbsp. brown sugar

Mix all ingredients until will blended. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured
surface. Roll to 1/4 ” thickness. Use a 2 1/2″ bone shaped cookie cutter (or any
one you prefer). Bake for 30 minutes in a 300 degrees oven on un-greased cookie
pans.

Carob Crunchies
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup HOT water
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. molasses
Carob chips (about 1 cup)

NOTE:  Do NOT use real chocolate as a substitute. Chocolate contains theobromine which is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities

Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Knead dough two minutes on a
lightly floured surface. Roll to 1/4″ thickness. Bake on an un-greased cookie
sheet for 30 minutes in a 300 degree oven. Cool. Melt carob chips in microwave
or saucepan. Dip cool biscuits in carob or lay on a flat surface and brush carob
over the biscuits with a pastry brush. Let cool.

Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt
Treats
Ingredients:
1 32oz. container of vanilla yogurt
1 cup of peanut butter

1. Put the peanut butter in a microwave safe dish and microwave until melted.
2. Mix the yogurt and the melted peanut butter in a bowl.
3. Pour mixture into cupcake papers and freeze.

Banana Pupcakes
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 bananas
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour (white or whole wheat)
1 tbsp baking powder
1 egg
3 tbsp honey

Heat oven 350 degrees. Mash bananas In bowl mix all ingredients WELL pour
into cupcake pans. Bake 20 minutes. Great for birthdays!  Some carob chips can be
melted for frosting.

Feel free to add other mixers such as sunflower seeds (without the shell),
nuts, carob chips, shredded carrot or apple.  Crunchy peanut butter can be used
instead of smooth.  Whole wheat flour is always better than white. Extra treats
or double batches can be frozen for future use.

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