Simple Dog Treats

We used to buy our dog treats but we switched to making our own to eliminate plastic bag and container waste. We do still buy our dog food in large 30 lbs plastic bags but are searching for a place to buy dog food in bulk in our own containers. We reuse the dog food bags as strong waterproof bags to carry stuff in our steel bicycle baskets. Turning them inside out makes them all white on the outside plus the little grease still stuck to the bag is then on the outside and the printed cleaner side is on the inside. These bags are tough and by folding over the tops and clipping with a binder clip they keep everything dry even in a heavy rain -- almost as good as expensive camping dry bags.

Treat recipe #1 below is very fast for mass production. #2 is somewhat slower but gluten free.

BTW, our dogs are happy to just get their regular dry kibble so we often just use that as their treat if we don't get around to making a special treat for them.

Super Easy Dog Treats

 #1

Makes about 3 liters (~1600) treats.

Ingredients:

5 cups whole wheat flour

4 eggs

1 can of pumpkin (15 oz can)

4 tablespoons peanut butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Stir together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Add a little water if needed to make dough workable, but dough should be dry and stiff.

Roll dough into a rectangular ~1/4-inch-thick sheet on a large floured surface.

The sheet should end up being about 20"x20" or so, no need to be exact.

Using a rolling pizza cutter slice into narrow strips about 1/2" wide.

Then slice again at right angle to cut into 1/2" squares.

Using large rectangular metal spatula, transfer sliced dough onto 2 large cooking sheets - no need to separate but needs to be single layer.

Bake in oven until crisp, about 40 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.


Store in an airtight container (freeze what you cannot use in a few months).

You can break the treats apart after baking them or as you use them.

Super Easy Dog Treats

 #2

Makes about 1.5 liters (~400) treats

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

1 tablespoon granular chicken bullion

1 egg

1/2 cup water

Vegetable oil to grease sheet pans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.


Add 2 cups oats and bullion to medium mixing bowl. Using big spoon mix well. Mix in water and egg.


Using big spoon press to 1/4-inch thick sheet on inside of mixing bowl. Let stand a few minutes to firm up.


Meanwhile pour dollop of oil and spread evenly on 2 cooking sheets.


Using 2 tiny spoons, scoop tiny portions of mixture onto cooking sheets (ours are usually about 1/2 inch in diameter)

Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.


Store in an airtight container (freeze if you need to store for longer than a couple months).

Given my experience with recipe #1, it is possible that #2 could be done in the same fashion using a pizza cutter but I have not tried this yet -- the dough is wetter & stickier for #2.