Recipe: Homemade Dog Food & Treats

Every time we drive near Petco, VHTS asks to go in to get treats for our Chihuahua. Got us thinking: If the shumer hits the fan, and we run out of dog food and treats, what will we do? Found these recipes, and tried them. Princess-Picky ate them!

Most dogs choose their favorite treats by smell, and they like gamey flavors best, as well as liver, fat, garlic, horsemeat, lamb, beef, cheese and fish. Do NOT add salt. Dogs need to eat only once a day. Properly trained and allowed, dogs will self-regulate. For dogs use 75% carbohydrate foods (grains and vegetables) to 25% meat.

Doggy-Burger-Yum:
1 cup dried ground beef, rehydrated, cooked
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1 jar baby food - green beans
1 jar baby food - carrots

Mix together. Add cottage cheese and scrambled or boiled egg if you have it. Serve at room temperature. Store unused portion (covered) in refrigerator; use within 3 days.

Doggy-Chicken-Yum:
1 cup dried chicken or turkey dices, rehydrated, cooked
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
2 jars baby food - mixed vegetables
1/4 cup unsalted chicken broth

Mix together. Serve at room temperature. Store unused portion (covered) in refrigerator; use within 3 days.

Doggy-Peanut-Butter-Treats:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 jar baby food carrots or sweet potato
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine ingredients well. Add a little more or less flour (or more/less milk) to make a stiff dough. Roll out on a floured surface to a quarter-inch thick. Cut out using cookie cutters. Place on oiled cookie/baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes.

Doggy-Green-Treats:
1 jar baby food - peas
2 jars baby food - meat
1/3 cup cooked oats
1/4 cup powdered milk
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine ingredients well. Press into little treat-sized patties and place on oiled cookie/baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes.

Onions and chocolate are TOXIC to dogs. Avoid!

Unless your dog is used to eating animals and bones, don't give dogs any bones. They tend to splinter internally or lodged in the throat.

We'll work on cat treats but since we don't have a cat, they won't be tested. We're don't have experience with other pets - anyone have treats for birds, ferrets, rabbits, etc? Please feel free to leave your recipe as a comment to this post. Thanks!