Recipe #2 Peanut Butter Bonbons are Tiny Approved! Also in favor (should I say ecstacy) are three other chihuahuas (Zooey & Ayden are less than six months) and Jeefus (two years). So, really I should say this recipe received 16 paws up!
I was really happy with the results of this recipe. Of course, it is so relieving to witness first hand what is going into Tiny's food, but I was equally impressed with how quick & easy the the recipe was to prepare. Most exciting, however, was Tiny's reaction. She won't entertain most prepackaged doggie treats (definitely not biscuits!) - not even those from doggie bakeries. In fact, the only treat she constantly responds to are dingo bones. Initially, Tiny vigilently observed my movements in the kitchen (people food- yum!) - then she sampled the bonbon (it appeared to be out of duty) only to find that yes! the peanut butter bonbons may in fact be BETTER than Dingo Bones!
I used small cookie cutters shaped like butterflies, birds, and flowers. Because Tiny is so small, the recipe yields about two months of treats - so I would recommend cutting the recipe in half if the sole recipient is a toy dog.
This was my first attempt at cooking dog biscuits, so I was happy to find that the biscuits don't really expand in the oven (feel free to pile them on). They also serve as inexpensive, adorable gifts!
Recipe 18: Pumpkin Cookies
source: The Poop
Tiny tested: Not yet
Vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
*1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
*1/2 cup pumpkin, canned
*1 tablespoon brown sugar
*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*4 tablespoons Crisco
*1 whole egg
*/2 cup buttermilk
Method:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine flour, cinnamon and nutmeg and cut in shortening. Beat egg with milk and pumpkin and combine with flour, mixing well. Stir until soft dough forms. Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool and serve.
Recipe 15: Organic Doggie Oatmeal Cookies
source: Talley, JD and Talley, E. Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook. 2008.
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
*1 1/2 c. oat flour
*1 1/2 c. brown rice flour
*1 tsp. baking powder
*1/2 tsp. baking soda
*2 c. rolled oats (old-fashioned kind, not instant)
*1 c. finely chopped peanuts (unsalted)
*2 eggs
*1/4 c. safflower oil
*3/4 c. peanut butter (unsalted)
*1/2 c. honey
*1 tsp. vanilla
Method:
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine all ingredients and mix. Roll into balls (1″ diameter). Press onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake 18-22 minutes (look for golden brown edges). Can be stored at room temperature in covered container.
Here is a short informational video on incorporating fruits and vegetables into dog food:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHXuYksku3Q&feature=related
Recipe 13: Party Pupcakes
source: bullwrinkle.com
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
*1 large apple
*1 1/2 cups wheat flour
*1/4 cup oatmeal
*2 teaspoons baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon baking soda
*1/2 cup plain yogurt
*1/2 cup water
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*2 tablespoons honey 2 eggs
*1 cup grated cheddar cheese
For the Frosting
*8 oz Neufchatel Cheese (lowfat cream cheese)
*2 tablespoons plain yogurt
*2 tablespoons honey
*2-3 tablespoons flour
Method:
Preheat oven to 400 ° F (200 ° C). Grease muffin tins.
Core, slice and mince the apple (use a food processor if you have one). Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, baking powder, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, blend together the yogurt, water, oil, honey, and eggs, then stir in the apple and cheese. Add to the flour mixture and stir until mixed.
Spoon into the muffin tins, filling each cup about three-quarters full. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let rest in the muffin tins for a few minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.
For the frosting, combine the Neufchatel cheese (at room temperature), honey, and yogurt until smooth. Add enough flour to thicken the frosting to a good spreading consistency. Frost the pupcakes and you're ready for a doggone good party!
Makes 16-18 pupcakes. If you prefer a single-layer cake, spoon the batter into a sheet pan and bake for an extra 15-20 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean). Let the cake cool, then frost and decorate.
Recipe 12: Banana Biscotti
source: bullwrinkle.com
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
*5 cups flour
*1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
*½ teaspoon baking soda
*1 egg
*¼ cup vegetable oil
*1 ½ cups banana, pureed
*2 teaspoons vanilla
*water
Method:
Preheat oven to 325F. Place dry ingredients in large bowl. Make a well in the center. Blend egg, oil and banana together. Add into the dry ingredinets in well. start combining together. Add water, one teaspoon at a time as needed. Knead by hand on table until mixed thoroughly. Form into logs approximately 2" - 2 1/2" high. Flatten so that log iis 6" - 7" wide by 1" high. Place on non-stick baking sheets or lightly greased ones. Bake 30 - 40 minutes. Remove and cool for 10 minutes. Slice into 1/2" - 3/4" slices. Place on baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Store in airtight container.
Recipe 11: Ginger Banana Party Cake
source: Party-photo-favors.com
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
* 2/3 cup mashed bananas
* 1/2 cup softened butter
* 3 large eggs
* 3/4 cup water
* 2 cups Unbleached Flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 tsp ginger
* 2 teaspoons cinnamon
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Method:
Beat together mashed banana and butter until creamy. Add eggs and water. Beat well. Stir in dry ingredients. Beat until smooth, Add nuts. Spoon batter evenly into oiled and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350° for about 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, remove from pan, replace on rack and cool.
Banana & Mock-Choc Frosting:
* 2 cup mashed banana
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 6 tablespoon powdered carob
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 3 tablespoon unbleached flour
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Blend thoroughly and spread on cooled cake. Sprinkle with well-chopped pecans.
Warning - the above recipe originally included raisins. Raisins & grapes might cause kidney failure in dogs so we dropped this ingredient from the recipe. See DogPack.com for more information.
Recipe 10: Birthday Cake, Peanut Butter Carrot
source: Party-photo-favors.com
Tiny tested: Not yet
Vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
* 1 cup flour
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1/4 cup peanut butter
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 cup shredded carrots
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 1/3 cup honey
* 1 egg
Method:
Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8" round cake pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree cottage cheese in blender for icing. Decorate with more peanut butter and carrots.
Recipe 9: Poochie Pint-Sized Carrot Treats
source: Poop Dog Pantry
Tiny tested: Not yet
Vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
*1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
*1/4 cup (1/2stick) margarine
*1 - 2 drops each red & yellow food dye (optional)
*1 jar, medium sized, baby food carrots
*1 cup all-purpose flour
*1/2 tsp. garlic powder
*1/4 - 1/3 cup milk
Method:
Melt cheese and margarine in a saucepan, stirring frequently. Take off heat. Stir in food dye, to make orange color. Add carrots, flour, and garlic powder. Stir until well blended. Add enough milk to form into a ball. Transfer to a mixing bowl and chill for one hour.
Roll dough on a lightly floured, flat surface to 1/4" thickness. Place on a cookie sheet lightly sprayed with nonfat cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely.
Recipe 8: Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Treats
source: Poop Dog Pantry
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
*1-32oz. container of vanilla yogurt
*1 cup of peanut butter
Method:
1. Put the peanut butter in a microwave safe dish and microwave until melted.
2. Mix the yogurt and the melted peanut butter in a bowl.
3. Pour mixture into cupcake papers and freeze
Recipe 7: Cheesey Dog Cookies
Source: The Poop Pantry
Tiny tested: Not yet
Vegetarian: yes
Ingredients:
*2 cups all purpose flour
*1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
*1/4 tsp.garlic powder
*1/2 c. vegetable oil
*4 - 5 Tbsp. water
Method:
Combine everything except water. Whisk in food processor until consistancy of cornmeal. Then add water until mixture forms a ball. Roll it into 1/2" thickness and cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets about 10 min. (depending on size of shapes) at 400. Cool and store in refrigerator.
Of course, Tiny and I hail from Athens, GA Bulldog country, but I've also posted this recipe because I'm interested in how Tiny will respond to Banana-based foodstuff. This recipe calls for beef broth, which can be replaced with veggie broth for the VegDogs out there :)Recipe 6: Bulldog Banana Bites
Source: The Poop Pantry
Tiny Tested: Not yet
Vegetarian: No – but can be if beef broth is replaced with veggie
Ingredients:
*2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
*1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
*1 egg
*1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*1 beef buillion cube dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water
*1 tbsp. brown sugar
Method:
Mix all ingredients until will blended. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface. Roll to 1/4 " thickness. Use a 2 1/2" bone shaped cookie cutter (or any one you prefer). Bake for 30 minutes in a 300 degrees oven on ungreased cookie pans.
Again, this recipe looks like a good bet since it's made with peanut butter. Hope to find out soon. Just a note that the sources noted here probably post multiple doggie-friendly recipes.. I just opt to post those that might appeal to Tiny.
Recipe 5: Peanut Butter & Oats Glazed Goodies
Source: The Poop Pantry
Tiny tested: Not yet
Vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients:
*1 cup water
*1 cup quick-cooking oats
*1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
*1/2 cup cornmeal
*1 tbsp. sugar
*tsp. salt
*1/2 cup milk
*1/3 cup peanut butter
*3 cups whole wheat flour
Method:
Boil water in a saucepan. Add oats and butter. Let oats soak for ten minutes. Stir in the cornmeal, sugar, salt, milk, peanut butter, and egg. Mix thoroughly. Add the flour, one cup at a time (you may not need the entire amount) until a stiff dough forms.
Knead dough on floured surface until smooth, about 3 minutes. Roll to 1/2" thickness. Place on a greased cookie sheet.
Glaze:
1 large egg
2 tbsp. milk
Mix well. Brush glaze on dough with a pastry brush. Bake in a pre-heated 325 degree oven for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.
Recipe 4: Gourmet Doggie Popsiclessource: oes.org Everything About Sheep Dogs
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: Yes
Ingredients:
*32 oz. vanilla yogurt
*1 mashed banana or one large jar of baby fruit
*2 T. peanut butter
*2 T. honey
Method:
Blend all together and freeze in either 3 ounce paper cups or ice cube trays. Microwave just a few seconds before serving.
This is a recipe that I came across years ago. The origin remains unknown, but I began searching for a cold summertime treat for Tiny after she adamantly snubbed the popular brands of dog ice cream (found in most grocery stores or health food markets). This recipe is easy to make and Tiny approved!
Recipe 3: Basic Doggie Popsicles
source: unknown
Tiny tested: Yes - four full paws!
vegetarian: Yes - with nonveg options
Ingredients:
*Veggie Bouillon Cube
* favorite small doggie treat or piece of meat (optional)
Method:
1) cook vegetable bouillon according to instructions on package and let cool (nonveg option: chicken or beef broth)
2) pour broth into basic ice tray and place in freezer
3) (optional) once cubes are sloshy (slightly firm, half-frozen), place doggie treat or piece of meat in center of each cube
4) Pop ice cube out and let pup enjoy mini-popsicle on a hot day (we're in GA so there are MANY)
Generally speaking, Tiny is not fond of most dog biscuits (gourmet and homemade included). I have posted the following recipe, however, because the base is peanut butter - of which Tiny is most definitely a fan.
Recipe 2: Peanut Butter Power Bites (Biscuits or Bonbons)
source: Yummy for Dogs
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: Yes
Yummy for Dogs Notes: A good weight-gainer biscuit for thin or active dogs. For dogs of average size and activity level, cut into itty bitty biscuits. Think of them like bon bons for your dog, since they're high in fat, though the wheat germ and peanut butter pack in the protein and vitamins!
Ingredients:
*2 cups whole wheat flour
*1 cup wheat germ
*1 cup peanut butter
*Egg replacer equivalent to 1 egg
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*3/4 cup water
Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Combine flour and wheat germ.
3) Add peanut butter, egg replacer, oil and water and mix thoroughly.
4) When it becomes too stiff to stir, knead the dough till smooth, adding a tablespoon of water, if needed.
5) Roll to 1/4 inch thickness.
6) Cut into desired shapes.
7) Bake for 30-35 minutes, being careful not to over cook.
My first blog is inspired by my chihuahua, Tiny. Tiny is so intelligent, well-behaved, and generally sweet, how could I not want to pamper my faithful and constant companion? Unfortunately, I have recently come to terms with the fact that she is no longer a puppy at seven years old. In addition to walks and park visits (and toting her along to dinner or errand running whenever possible), pampering Tiny has involved giving her 'people' food - clearly not the most responsible behavior. Out of concern for her health and an investment in her future, I have committed to a more conscientious approach to the maintenance of her health. Halo dog food and vitamins have become our staple, but I do not want to deprive her of the foods that bring her so much joy. Consequently, I my endeavor is to research and test dog -healthy and -friendly recipes that I can incorporate into her diet.The purpose of this blog is simply to create a forum for healthy dog recipes. As the blog evolves, I will mark recipes that I have tried and found to be Tiny-approved (and include pictures and personal notes). Eventually, I will strive to post primarily vegetarian recipes but, for the time being, I will begin by posting recipes that look interesting.*Warning: As a chihuahua, Tiny is somewhat particular.Recipe 1: Macaroni and Cheese for Endurance Dogs
source: Small Dogs Paradise: Holistic Approach to Pampering Small Dogs
Tiny tested: Not yet
vegetarian: No - incorporates chicken
Servings: Approximately 8 small-sized or 3 medium-sized dog meals.
Ingredients:
* 1 box of elbow macaroni
* 1 cup of non-dairy cheddar cheese shreds
* 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
* ¼ cup of non-fat milk
* ¼ cup of peas or diced celery
* ¼ cup of carrot, diced
* ¼ cup of ground chicken breast or any lean meat of your dog’s choice except pork
* Pinch of garlic powder to taste
Method:
1. Cook the macaroni as the box instructed, al dente. You might want to give the salt a miss when boiling the macaroni. Your dog will be very thirsty after the run, so don’t make him yelp for more water for every 10-minutes run! :
2. Heat oil in a saucepan, sauté the ground chicken breast and vegetables for 3 minutes.
3. Add in the cheese and milk over medium heat unit it melts. Stir often.
4. Pour over the drained pasta and mix well.
5. Add a pinch of garlic powder and allow it to cool.
6. Serve what is needed for that day and refrigerate the leftovers.
Special notes:
For dogs who love to crunch on carrots and celeries, add them when the creamy sauce is about done.
Limit this meal to twice or thrice weekly if your dog is a beginner daily jogger. Most beginners don’t have the stamina to run for 30 minutes or more hence the stored carbohydrate will turn to fats very easily if not “used.”
Remember this is a supplement meal; it should not be replaced over his regular kibbles. You may want to reduce his daily kibbles intake whenever you feed him macaroni and cheese.
