As pet owners and caregivers, we all want the best for our dogs when it comes to health and happiness.  Just like humans, dogs should maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet.  But, that does not mean they cannot have the occasional “treat” or “reward.”  The problem is, it can be challenging to find nutritious and delicious dog treats in the store.  And, if you can, they are often quite expensive.  WebMD explains the problem with many commercially available dog treats, “Just like we do, dogs love foodtreats. And just like us, dogs sometimes get too many calories from their treats. “If you’re not careful, treats can add a substantial amount of calories to your dog’s otherwise normal, healthy diet,” says Tami Pierce, DVM, clinical veterinarian at the University of California, Davis. You may not actually realize just how many treats your dog gets daily. “People will give their dog two, three and four treats at a time and not really think about it until they’re asked details about the dog’s health history and diet,” Pierce says. You can skip the store-bought snacks that are high in fat, sugar and often preservatives.”

Rather than offering your beloved dog an unhealthy and often unnatural snack, consider making our own dog treats right at home.  Don’t worry!  This does not require any special skillset, hard-to-find cooking equipment or strange ingredients.  It is incredibly simple!  Your dog will love the yummy snacks and you will enjoy peace of mind knowing that you are keeping your dog healthy and happy by giving them the best snacks possible.  Below are two fun recipes for dog treats that you can enjoy making right in your own kitchen!

• Bachelor Dog Treats (from Spago Executive Pastry Chef Sherry Yard)
  • Recommended: 3 inch cookie cutter in shape of your choice. Yield: About 3 dozen small cookies
  • Ingredients:
    • 4 eggs, divided (2 for the dough, 2 for the wash)
    • 1 ounce vegetable oil
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 8 ounces chicken stock
    • 10 ounces whole wheat flour
    • 5 ounces all-purpose flour
    • 3 ounces cornmeal
    • 1 cup peanut butter
  • Recipe Steps:
    • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together two of the eggs, the oil and honey. Whisk in the chicken stock.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the whole wheat flour, AP flour and cornmeal. With the mixer on medium speed, slowly pour in the chicken stock mixture, then add the peanut butter. Mix until the dough comes together, about 1 minute.
    • Divide the dough in half. Roll out each ball of dough approximately ½ inch thick. Cut into desired shapes using small (3 to 4-inch) cookie cutters. Place on baking sheets sprayed with cooking oil.
    • Whisk the remaining two eggs and brush the egg wash lightly over the cookies. Allow to dry for 10 minutes and brush with the egg wash a second time (the second wash is optional, but gives the cookies a darker brown color). Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies.
  • Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Treats (from Whole Foods)
    • Yield: 2 Dozen
    • Ingredients:
      • 1 banana, peeled
      • 1 cup oat flour
      • 2/3 cup rolled oats
      • 1/2 cup dried parsley
      • 3 tablespoons peanut butter
      • 1 egg, beaten
    • Recipe Steps:
      • Preheat oven to 300°F. Put banana in a large bowl and use a spoon or potato masher to mash it thoroughly. Add oat flour, oats, parsley, peanut butter and egg and stir well to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
      • Roll mixture into 24 balls, using about 1 tablespoon dough for each; transfer to a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet as done. Use the back of a spoon or the heel of your hand to press each ball into a (1 1/2- to 2-inch) coin. Bake until firm and deep golden brown on the bottom, 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside to let cool completely.
      • Storage note: It’s best to store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or, freeze them to give to your pal later; just be sure to thaw the treats befor handing them out.