The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook

By Liz Palika

My grandmother was not a demonstrative woman, yet all of us grandkids knew without a doubt that she loved us very much. After alll, she was always cooking for us!

I have found myself following in her footsteps – not for people, though, but for dogs. It's easy to make good dog treats, especially for my dogs, because they will eat anything I will hand them, and they always appreciate my efforts. By making homemade dog treats, I can also control the ingredients I use. I can make sure the ingredients are of good quality, and I can avoid things that I prefer my dogs not eat. It's important to me that my dogs eat well; after all, I want them to be with me, hale and hearty, for as long as they can be. Treats are important, and I want the ones they get to be good ones made from quality ingredients.

All the treats in this book were tested in my kitchen and in the kitchens of several willing volunteers. So have fun! Keep in mind, these are recipes are for treats – not a daily diet – and should never exceed 10% of your dog's daily diet. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Introduction

Cooking and Baking Terms
Minimum Equipment
Taste Tests

Chapter 1: Cookies by the Spoonful

Chapter 2: Cookie-Cutter Treats

Chapter 3: Special Goodies for Special Occasions

Chapter 4: Good Dogs Derve Tasty Treats!

Chapter 5: Delicacies for Dogs with Special Needs

Meat-Free Treats
Grain-Free Treats
Wheat-Free Treats
Reduced-Fat Treats

Index

Riker's Favorite Liver Treats

Riker, one of my favorite Australian Shepherds, is not a picky eater; he eagerly samples all my culinary efforts. He really gets excited about these treats, though, and even though he knows he's not allowed to beg, he begs for more!

4 cups quick oats
1 cup minced or shredded cooked chicken livers
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together all ingredients well, making sure that all the oats are well coated with oil and egg.

3. Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheets

4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Remove from oven, let cool thoroughly, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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