Healthy dog treats

Dogs Life has been busy in the kitchen whipping up some grrreat healthy dog treats. Why not make your very own doggy hamper, full of great toys and treats for your favourite pooch.

Puppy peanut crunchies

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Peanut Butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup wholemeal flour
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon of codliver oil or flaxseed oil (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C.
2. Heat peanut butter and honey until peanut butter is melted (around 20 seconds in microwave).
3. Mix well. Combine all remaining ingredients.
4. Line a cookie tray with greaseproof paper.
5. Drop 1/2 teaspoon of mixture onto sheet.
6. Bake for around 10 mins until golden brown.
7. Cool before serving or storing. Can be stored in an airtight container. These cookies can also be frozen in an airtight container.

Growling garlic goodies

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups wholemeal flour
• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon codliver oil or flaxseed oil (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat over to 180C.
2. Combine flour, garlic and powdered milk.
3. Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
4. Mix in beaten egg and add water gradually until mixture forms dough.
5. Roll out the dough onto a floured surface.
6. Cut into shapes, using Christmas theme cutters like trees or Santas.
7. Bake for around 30 mins or until golden brown.
8. Remove and cool before serving. Can also be frozen or stored in an airtight container.

Quick treats

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of fatty mince (pork, beef)
• 2 cups of quality dry dog food
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of cold liver oil
• 3 tablespoons of flaxseed oil

Method:

1. Blend dry dog food in blender until finely crushed.
2. Combine all other ingredients and roll into small balls.
3. Freeze and use as needed. A great cold snap treat or used as training treats.

Lavish liver bites

Ingredients:

• 450g pureed liver (chicken, lamb, beef)
• 2 cups corn meal or pollenta
• 1 cup wholemeal flour
• dash garlic powder

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180C.
2. Combine all ingredients well.
3. Spread a thin layer on a cooking tray lined with greaseproof/cooking paper.
4. Bake for around 20 minutes or until solid.
5. Cut into small pieces while warm.
6. Can be frozen or stored in an airtight container.

Bow-wow bacon bickies

Ingredients:

• 6 bacon rations
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 125g butter (melted)
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups wheat germ
• 1/2 cup milk powder
• 2 cups wholemeal flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal or pollenta
• 1 teaspoon codliver or flaxseed oil

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180C.
2. Dice bacon and cook on stovetop with a little of the butter.
3. Combine all ingredients, mixing well.
4. Drop heaped tablespoons of mixture onto greased baking paper.
5. Bake for around 15 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Turn off the oven and leave cookies overnight to dry out.

Cheesy chomps

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of wholemeal flour
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon of codliver or flaxseed oil

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200C.
2. Combine all ingredients and mix well.
3. Add water if needed to form a good dough.  Knead well and make small balls.
4. Place on a greaseproof paper and push down with the base of a glass (make sure the glass is wet to prevent sticking).
5. Bake for around 10 mins or until golden brown.

Icy bucket

Ingredients:

• an old ice-cream container
• water
• two raw chicken wings
• 1/4 cup of doggy biscuits (or some liver treats)

Method:

1. Put the chicken wings and biscuits (or liver treats) into the ice-cream container.
2. Fill with water and freeze overnight. If you want to add more flavour, dissolve a stock cube (chicken or beef) in the water before filling the container. Just remember to wait for the water to cool down completely before adding the chicken wings and biscuits.
3. Pop the frozen treat out of the container and give your dog hours of fun with this super-cold, boredom-busting icy-pole.

Frozen KONG

Ingredients:

• One KONG
• 1/4 cup of doggy biscuits
• 1 tablespoon of vegemite or peanut butter
• water

Method:

1. Soak the biscuits in enough water to cover them and leave for 10-15 minutes until they have soaked up the majority of the water.
2. Stuff them into a KONG (best done over the sink) and place in a plastic bag.
3. Wedge the KONG in the freezer upright and freeze overnight.
4. Remove from the plastic bag and add a tablespoon of vegemite (for the weight conscious) or peanut butter over the large hole.
5. Let your dog enjoy this tasty treat that is sure to beat the boredom blues in a chilly kind of way!