Homemade Dog Biscuits for Your Furry Friends

For dog owners, nothing compares to pampering their furry companions with love and care. And what better way to express that affection than creating homemade dog biscuits? Store-bought dog treats often leave us scratching our heads with their long list of unfamiliar ingredients.

These treats, from additives to preservatives, and excessive salt and fat, may not be the best option for our dogs. Some pups have allergies or sensitivities that can lead to sickness, weight gain, and obesity. But fear not! By taking matters into our own hands, we can cater to our furry companions' dietary requirements and promote their well-being with natural, non-fat, locally sourced ingredients. With homemade biscuits, we have full control over what goes into their snacks.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (if your dog is allergic to grains substitutions can be rice flour, almond meal, and coconut flour).
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (exclude if your dog is allergic to grains).
• 1 large egg.
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (make sure it doesn't contain xylitol, as it's toxic to dogs).
• 1/2 cup of grated carrots.
• 1/4 cup of parsley.
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup water as needed.

 Method

• Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a tray with baking paper.
• Combine whole wheat flour and rolled oats into a large bowl.
• Mix the peanut butter and carrots with the dry ingredients until the dough is crumbly.
• Gradually add water to the mixture, a little at a time, until the dough comes together. The consistency should be firm but not too dry or sticky.
• Dust a clean surface with some flour and transfer the dough onto it.
• Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and pliable, then roll it out to about 0.6cm in thickness. Cut out the shape of the biscuit using a cookie cutter. Repeat this step until all the dough is used.
• Place the cut-out dough onto the prepared tray, leaving a little space between each one.
• Bake the biscuits for 15-20 minutes until they turn golden brown and crisp.
• Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
• Store the homemade dog biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them for longer shelf life.

You can use this recipe with any vegetable or herb substitutes safe for dogs. Instead of grated carrot and parsley, you could try grated apple, pureed sweet potato or pumpkin, finely chopped basil or oregano, and bone broth instead of water. Mix up your ingredients to see which combination your dog likes best.