You let them sleep in your bed when you shouldn't. You stay up all night with them during thunderstorms. You constantly clean up after the little messes they leave around the house. And you're always forgiving them when they get into trouble. You know you'd do anything for your pet, (don't even pretend you were thinking about your children!) so why should they be left out of the kitchen? Take your pet's diet into your own hands and bake them up a batch of their favorite treats.

Nutrition

Like people, pets have specific dietary needs. Depending on whether they're cuddly new puppies or sweetly serene older cats, satisfying these needs are important. Just like in your own diet, pets need proper amounts of fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, energy, protein and water. Here’s a quick – but far from complete – reference guide for feeding your pet.

Fats – Both cats and dogs need omega 6 fatty acids in their diets. Cats require two (linoleic and arachidonic) whereas dogs only require one (linoleic). Omega 3 fatty acids are not considered necessary in the diets of cats and dogs.

Carbohydrates – Though these sugars and fibers are not essential in terms of nutrition, they are extremely important for your pet's energy level.

Vitamins – There are two types of vitamins that your pet (and your family) should consume on a regular basis: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are required in small quantities daily because the body stores them in the liver and other body fat. Fat-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12) should be consumed daily as the body does not store them as well.

Minerals – Often appearing on canned food labels as "ash," these inorganic materials are important for your pet's daily requirements. Macrominerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, magnesium and potassium) are all required in relatively large amounts (grams per day) for your pet.  Microminerals (iron, copper, zinc, magnesium and selenium) are required in relatively small quantities (micrograms or less per day).

Energy – It can be difficult to determine how much food to feed your pet, especially if he's growing quickly. Animals need calories for energy just like humans do, so this is an key part of their diets. PetDiets.com offers a food calculator that helps you figure out exactly what to feed your pet.

Protein – Rather than requiring protein in their diets, pets need a certain amount of amino acids each day (cat need 13 amino acids and dogs need 12 amino acids). It doesn't matter what the source of this protein is (chicken, beef, soybean, lamb, etc.), it just needs to appear in their diet. This is a slightly controversial topic as some veterinarians feel pets must consume meat while others advocate a vegetarian diet. Speak to your veterinarian to get his or her opinion.

Water – You should always have fresh water available for your pet. They don't know how to ask (though they can certainly make it clear sometimes), so don't make them beg. Water makes up between 40 and 80 percent of your pet's body mass, which makes it crucial that they have constant access to it.

Remember, these are just guidelines. If you have questions about your pet's diet, please speak to your veterinarian. You can also consult PetDiets.com, which is an informative website run by veterinarians.

Is Chocolate Really Toxic for Dogs?

Yes! The rumors are true – large amounts of chocolate can be lethal for dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is a stimulant found in the cocoa bean that affects the central nervous system and the heart. Different types of chocolate have different affects, and it also depends on how large your dog is. If he accidentally eats an M&M, you don't have to rush to the vet, but if he consumes an entire chocolate cake, there may be cause for concern. Just beware of what your dog eats and keep in mind this potentially dangerous situation.

Supplies

It's awfully hard to make the perfect dog bone without the perfect dog bone shape! Check out these sites for cookie cutters and more.

Good Dog Express

Dog Like Nature

Birthday Express

SitStay.com

Bay Village Store

Foose Cookie Cutters

Recipes

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to whip up a batch of kitty treats or doggy bones. Your pet will flip for the homemade goodness and you'll love knowing they're healthy. Spoil those little (and not so little) fur balls with home-baked treats in their favorite flavors. There's even a treat for your feathered friends.

Cats

Frenzied Feline Food

Push all your cats buttons by giving him/her treats AND catnip and watch the fun begin.  Use premium catnip, which can be found at all pet stores.

 

Ingredients

1/2 C, wholewheat flour

1/2 C. nonfat dry milk powder

1/2 can tuna, in oil

1 Tbs. vegetable oil or cod liver oil

1 egg, beaten

1/4 C. water

1/4 C. finely crushed dry catnip, for rolling the balls in, approximately

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F and spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray. In large bowl, mash the tuna so that there are no large lumps. Mix flour and milk in the tuna until thoroughly combined. Add water and oil, mix well. Beat an egg until foamy, add and combine thoroughly. Expect the dough mix to be sticky. Shape dough into tiny balls about the size of a small marble. Roll the balls in finely crushed dry catnip I usually rub the catnip between my hands to crush it. Place the balls on the cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Bake for 10 minutes then remove them from oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. Turn treats over and bake 10 more minutes or until browned. Cool treats completely before giving any to your pet. Store in air tight container in the refrigerator or a cool dry place.

Cat Fell Off the Wagon

Here's a great, insanely simple catnip tea to treat your feline friends.  You can substitute chicken broth or chicken soup for the bouillon and water if you choose.

Ingredients

1 C. warm water

3 Tbs. dried catnip or fresh catnip

1/4 tsp. instant chicken broth, powdered

Directions

Place the warm water in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Add the catnip and chicken broth. Shake vigorously for a couple minutes or until the bouillon is dissolved and the catnip has given the tea a greenish tinge. Serve 1/4 C. of the tea to your cat in a shallow bowl. Store the remainder in the refrigerator. Warm before serving.

Kitty Heaven (Sardines and Rice)

Ingredients

2 flat cans of sardines in oil

2/3 C. cooked rice

1 Tbs. cooked chopped liver

1/4 C. parsley, chopped

Directions

Combine all ingredients.  Stir with a wooden spoon to break up sardines into bite-sized pieces.  Store unused portion in refrigerator, tightly covered.

Yield: 2 servings

Fabulous Feline Fish Balls

Ingredients

3 baby carrots, cooked until soft

2 6 oz. cans tuna in olive oil, drained

2 oz. cooked herring, skin removed

2 Tbs. whole grain breadcrumbs or oatmeal

2-3 Tbs. grated cheese

2 tsp. Brewer's yeast

Several pinches of chopped catnip

1 large egg, beaten

2 Tbs. tomato paste (not ketchup)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mash the carrots with the fish, breadcrumbs or oatmeal, cheese, Brewer's yeast, catnip, egg and tomato paste to an even paste. Mold into small balls and put on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking frequently. The fishballs should be golden brown and feel firm. Cool thoroughly. Refrigerate extras.

Dogs

Liver Squares

Ingredients

1 lb. beef liver

4 eggs

1 C. cornmeal

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the above ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour onto greased 8 inch square pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool - then cut into squares! Your dogs will love 'em!!

From: Recipe USA

Dog Treats

Ingredients

1/2 C. cornmeal

6 Tbs. oil

2/3 C. water or meat broth

2 C. whole wheat flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix well. Roll out to 1/4" thick. Cut into shapes. Baste with meat drippings and bake for 35-40 minutes.

From: Recipe USA

Pet Party Mix

Ingredients

2 C. Cheerios

2 C. spoon-size shredded wheat

2 C. Crispix

1/2 C. melted butter or margarine

2 Tbs. dry gravy mix

1/2 C. Kraft grated American cheese powder

1/2 C. bacon bits

1 C. dog jerky/pupperoni/sausage

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Pour melted butter into 13x9" baking pan. Stir in cheese powder, bacon bits, and gravy mix. Add cereals and stir well until all pieces are coated. Heat in oven for 45 minutes. Meanwhile cut doggie meat treats into 1/2 inch pieces. Remove cereal from oven, add doggie treats. Store in airtight containers. May be frozen and keeps well.

From: Recipe USA

Cheese Bone Dog Cookies

Ingredients

2 C. unsifted all-purpose flour

1 1/4 C. shredded cheddar cheese

2 C. garlic, finely chopped

1/2 C. vegetable oil

4 1/2 Tbs. water

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make a cardboard pattern of a dog bone, 4 inches long or use a dog-bone cookie cutter. Combine flour, cheese, garlic and vegetable oil in container of food processor. Cover, whirl until mixture is consistency of coarse meal. With a machine running, slowly add water until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll out each piece to 1/2" thickness. Cut out bones. Transfer to ungreased cookie sheet. Do not reroll scraps. Bake in preheated hot oven for 10-15 minutes or until bottom of cookies are lightly browned. Carefully transfer bones to wire rack to cool completely.

Refrigerate in airtight container.

  Fido's Favorite Treats

Ingredients

1 C. uncooked oatmeal

1 C. boiling water

1/2 C. margarine

1/2 C. milk

1 egg, beaten

1 Tbs. sugar

1-2 tsp. bouillon granules

3/4 C. cornmeal

2 1/2-3 C. whole wheat flour

Directions

In a large bowl, pour boiling water over oatmeal and margarine. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in milk, egg, sugar, bouillon and cornmeal. Add flour, 1 C. at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead in the final half C. or more to make a stiff dough. Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into bone shapes and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 50 minutes.

Fidos Fabulous People Biscuits

Ingredients

1/4 C. hot water

8 cubes chicken bouillon cube

1 pkg. dry yeast

1 tsp. sugar

1 1/2 C. tomato juice

2 C. all-purpose flour

2 C. wheat germ

1 1/2 C. whole wheat flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees, then pour the water into a large bowl.  Add the sugar and yeast and let stand for about 5 minutes. Then add the chicken bouilion cubes. Crush them with a fork as you stir them in. Add the tomato juice, 1 C. all-purpose flour and the wheat germ. Stir with a large spoon to form a smooth batter. Then stir in the remaining all-purpose and whole wheat flours (this will make the dough very dry and stiff).  You'll probably have to use your hands to finish mixing.   Sprinkle flour on your cutting board, then take a couple of handfuls of dough out and work into a small ball shape. Then, with a rolling pin flatten the balls to about 1/4-inch thick on the cutting board. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour   Use a table knife to cut out people shapes. Then repeat the whole process again with the rest of the dough, working a few handfuls at a time. Finally, use a spatula to put people biscuits onto a cookie sheet. Then bake at 300 degrees for about an hour. Afterwards, let them dry in the turned-off oven for about 4 hours.Serve with a bowl of water and a nice big bone.  

Glazed Beagle Biscuits

Ingredients

2 tsp. beef bouillon granules

1/3 C. oil

1 C. boiling water

2 C. rolled oats

3/4 C. cornmeal

1/2 C. milk

1 C. grated cheese

1 egg, beaten

1 C. rye flour

2 C. white flour

Topping:

1 C. beef broth

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

3 Tbs. oil

Directions

Add bouillon and oil to boiling water then add oats. Let mixture stand for a few minutes. Stir in the cornmeal, milk, cheese, and egg. Slowly stir in the flours. Knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Roll out to about 1/4-inch thick and cut into bone shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet. Spoon topping over biscuits. Turn them over and repeat with other side. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom. Turn off the oven and leave biscuits in until cool.

Oatmeal/Wheat Germ Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

3 C. whole wheat or rye flour

3 C. uncooked oatmeal

1/2 C. plain wheat germ

6 Tbs. margarine

1/4 C. molasses

1 C. evaporated milk

1 C. water

Directions

Mix together the first 3 ingredients. Then thoroughly mix in the last 4 ingredients. Dough will be stiff. Chill for a half hour. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Flatten, place on greased cookie sheet, and bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees.

  Rover's Rewards

Ingredients

3/4 C. hot water or meat juices

1/3 C. bacon grease or margarine

1/2 C. powdered milk

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. sugar

1 egg, beaten

3 C. whole wheat flour

Directions

In a large bowl, pour hot water or juices over grease or margarine. Stir in powdered milk, salt, sugar, and egg. Add flour, 1/2 C. at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead 4 to 5 minutes adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough. Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into bone shapes and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

Western Ranch Biscuits

Ingredients

1 pkg. dry yeast

1/4 C. warm water

2 C. warm beef broth

1/4 C. milk

1/2 C. honey

1 egg, beaten

1/4 C. bacon grease or margarine

1 tsp. salt

2 1/2 C. flour (white, oat, or rye)

1 C. cornmeal

1 C. wheat germ

2 C. cracked wheat

3/4 C. wheat bran

3/4 C. oatmeal

3/4 C. grated cheddar cheese

3 C. whole wheat flour

Topping:

1 C. beef broth

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

3 Tbs. oil

Directions

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine beef broth, milk, honey, egg, bacon grease or margarine, and salt. Add yeast/water mixture and mix well. Stir in flour, corn meal, wheat germ, cracked wheat, wheat bran, oatmeal, and cheese. Add whole wheat flour, 1/2 C. at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Knead in the final amounts of flour by hand to make a stiff dough. Continue to knead for 4-5 minutes. Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into bone shapes and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover lightly and let set (rise) for 30 minutes. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom. Prepare topping during last few minutes. Turn off oven heat. Remove biscuits from oven. Immediately dip biscuits in topping. Return them to oven and leave biscuits in oven for several hours or overnight.

Bacon Pet Biscuits

Ingredients

3/4 C. bacon grease, divided

5 C. whole wheat flour

1 C. milk

1/2 C. beef broth

2 eggs

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

Directions

Grease a cookie sheet with 1 Tbs. bacon grease. Combine remaining ingredients; mix well. Roll dough into 2" balls and place balls 2" apart on prepared cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool and dry on wire racks.

Dog Treats

Dogs tend to love anything with garlic. And it is good for them.

Ingredients

3/4 C. wheat germ

3/4 C. powdered milk

1 egg

6 oz. lamb baby food (or chicken or beef)

1/4 tsp. garlic

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Place 1/2 tsp. on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned.

Carob Dog Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 C. whole wheat flour

1 Tbs. baking powder

1 C. peanut butter

1 C. milk (1% or 2%)

2 eggs

1/4 C. honey

1 C. carob chips

Directions

Combine flour and baking powder in large bowl. Set aside. In separate bowl, combine peanut butter, milk, eggs and honey. Mix until well blended. Stir in carob chips. Drop by heaping tsp.ful on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until centers are done. Remove and let sit one minute, then transfer to wire rack to cool and harden.

Carob Pet Treats

Ingredients

3 C. whole wheat flour

1/2 C. wheat germ

2 1/2 C. oatmeal

1/8 C. peanut butter

1/8 C. corn margarine

1 Tbs. brown sugar

2 oz. carob chips, melted  (can find them in health food stores)

1 C. water

1/4 C. molasses

1/2 C. powdered milk

Directions

Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix until blended.

Dough will be still. Chill. Roll dough on a greased cookie pan and cut into shapes

1/2 inch thick. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.

Doggy Cookies

Ingredients

1 C. hot water or hot broth

1 envelope dry milk

2 tsp. bouillon

3/4 C. oil

2 eggs

2 Tbs. brown sugar

5 C. whole wheat flour

Directions

Combine hot water, milk and bouillon. Add remaining ingredients. Stir to form a very stiff dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Cover a cookie sheet with foil and place cookies on it. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes, turning cookies over after 20 minutes.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

1 pkg. active dry yeast

1 C. warm chicken broth

2 Tbs. molasses

1 3/4-2 C. all purpose flour

1 1/2 C. whole wheat flour

1 1/2 C. cracked wheat

1/2 C. cornmeal

1/2 C. non fat dry milk powder

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. salt

1 Tbs. milk

1 egg, beaten

Directions

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 C. warm water, 110-115 degrees. Stir in broth and molasses. Add 1 C. only of the all purpose flour, all the whole wheat flour, cracked wheat, cornmeal, dry milk, garlic salt and mix well. On floured board, knead in remaining flour. Roll out 1/2 at a time to 3/8" thick. Cut in desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet, brush tops with beaten egg and milk mixture. Repeat remaining dough. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes. Turn oven off and let dry overnight.

Yield: 42-48 biscuits

Nana Bear's Doggy Snacks

Ingredients

2 C. wheat flour

1/4 C. cornmeal

3/4 C. parmesan cheese

1 large egg

1 C. warm water

Directions

Mix all ingredients together except 1/4 C. parmesan cheese, knead until thoroughly mixed. Roll the dough out using a chilled rolling pin. Cut out shapes, lay into the remaining cheese, turning once. Place on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Variation: You can add food coloring to the dough to make different colored Doggy Treats!

Birds

Bird Biscuits

This is an easy recipe to make because you can use the same biscuit mix you'd use for your family. Before you bake your family's biscuits, save some mix for the birds and follow this recipe. Then bake them all together!

Ingredients

Biscuit mix

1/2 jar baby food sweet potatoes, squash or garden vegetables

1/2 jar baby food applesauce

2 Tbs. wheat germ

1/4 C. hand feeding parrot food

1/4 C. Beak Appetit, any flavor

1/2 C. oatmeal

1 Tbs. dry crushed red peppers

Directions

Prepare biscuit mix. Mix remaining ingredients together with biscuit mix very well. Coat your hands with flour (mixture is sticky) and shape mixture into 2 or more biscuits. Place on cookie sheet. Bake in oven preheated to 425 degrees until golden brown. Break up into serving pieces and give to birds. Freeze leftovers for later.