Don’t Forget Fido! December 23, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Animal Welfare, Food & Drink, Health & Wellness.Tags: Cats, Dog Treats, Dogs, Holidays, Peanut butter, Pets
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At this festive time of year, there are lots of things to keep out of your pet’s reach ~ chocolate, caffeine, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, bread dough, tinsel, ribbons, garlands, ornaments, electric cords, candles, poinsettia, holly, ivy, mistletoe, and xylitol (a sweetener in gum and candies).
Here’s a treat that good for dogs to eat . . .
Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Puppy Dog Treats
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. honey
2 cups whole wheat flour
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine first 5 ingredients. Stir well. Add flour and beat with an electric mixer until dough forms. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut dough into biscuits using a 2-inch cookie cutter. Transfer to parchment paper lined baking sheet(s).
Bake 45-60 minutes until biscuits are crisp and golden brown. Turn oven off. Leave biscuits in oven to dry overnight.
Makes 4-5 dozen dog treats.
Woof . . . that’s better!
I recall reading that peanut butter is harmful to dogs, but on looking it up it seems that generally it isn’t unless they are allergic. That whole combination does seem unlikely to appeal to a puppy, doesn’t it? Amazing. The honey is particularly surprising.
Our Great Danes LOVED peanut butter . . . and eggs . . . and commercial dog biscuits made with flour. I expect that the pumpkin and honey don’t add much flavor. They might be in there as “binders.”
I would think the flour is the tasteless stuff. Good pumpkins have lots of flavour (we eat them a lot in SA) and honey has unparalleled sweetness! I am a raw honey fan. The non-runny stuff.
Agreed . . . but 2 Tbsp. of honey for 3 cups of dough isn’t likely to be overly sweet. Probably more like a cracker than a cookie.
That was my first thought too – I’m sure we were always warned not to give peanuts to dogs. So there you go, we all learn something every day!
Unless the publishers of this recipe did not get the memo. Now, I feel like I should do more digging.
I once had a German Shepherd consume an entire batch of fudge which had a tin of condensed milk, half a pound of butter half a pint of cream and loads of sugar – and he didn’t even have the grace to be violently sick afterwards as he deserved!
Our Great Danes occasionally pilfered something from the kitchen or dining room:
* a 3 lb. London Broil . . . gone!
* a Thanksgiving Turkey (after the initial carve) . . . gone!
* a 2 lb. braunsweiger pate iced with cream cheese . . . gone!
* a 16 lb. groundhog . . . saved in the nick of time!
Actually, they seem quite good prospects as human treats!
That thought struck me too, Col. If I had a dog to bake these for, I would give one a taste test.
I think I shall try them out but probably gobble the lot!
Let us know whether they pass the taste test.
My dog loves homemade human candy, so, if you plan on making some, go ahead and mail it up here. Address the package to “Eric.” Because that’s my dog’s name. Yup.*
*disclaimer for those who take everything literally: I know that human candy is bad for dogs. I don’t have a dog. The candy is for me. Carry on.
Good boy.
Merry Christmas! Hope you get lots of candy in your stocking.
I would fight my dog for one of those, they don’t sound half bad.
I would have to give it a sample. I expect that these biscuits are HARDER to bite than people chips, crackers, and cookies.
yummm….good earthquake/emergency supplies too???…to be shared among people and dogs….yumm…. they sound good!
Capital idea, Kathy! Once these are “dehydrated” overnight . . . they would make perfect K-rations for our K-9 companions (and us, in a pinch).
Didn’t know about the onions, thanks and Merry Christmas.
I expect most of the things on the list are OK in moderation . . . onions may cause a bit of unwanted gas.
Okay, I generally don’t nibble on dog treats, but these actually look kind of good! That would be pretty sad if I had to hide in the pantry to snack on dog treats without them knowing
I doubt they taste as good as people food . . . but I’d be curious to try one.
GREAT idea, Nancy! I shall get onto it…first thing tomorrow
Let us know whether they get the Macauley seal of approval.