What You Need To Know About Choosing Homemade Dog Treat Recipes


Dogs love treats. Some canines will eat anything while others can be very finicky. If you have a finicky dog, you may want to consider using homemade dog treat recipes to create a special snack for your four legged friend. Of course, its not as simple as just baking a batch of biscuits and feeding them to your dog. Here is what you need to know about choosing the right recipe for your dog.

The ingredients that you are adding to your treats can be critical. Not only can they make a treat unpalatable, they can also make your dog sick. Ingredients such as chocolate, garlic, raisins and onions can add up to a delicious snack for humans. They have also been proven toxic for our four-footed family members. Often, speaking to your vet can help you figure out which ones should go in your treats and which ones should be passed over.

There are many different forms that pet treats can take. One of the most popular is a biscuit. These are nice because they are easy to store and will usually stay good for quite some time. You can shape the dough into bones or other shapes that will appeal to your fur babies.

Another type of treat is homemade jerky. This kind of snack is made from dehydrated meat. Often, companies that are mass-producing jerky will use beef but you can use any kind of meat. A popular choice for jerky is chicken. If you have a pet that has beef or chicken allergies, you may want to think about making jerky out of duck or other unique meats. Just remember to be careful what you are seasoning the meat with so that you avoid garlic.

Don't start feeding any new treats if your pet has a chronic health condition. It can be problematic for a diabetic dog to have changes to the calories and carbohydrates it is eating. Also think about how much protein is in a treat if you are dealing with kidney problems or liver issues. Don't forget to take into account any food allergies your pet may be dealing with.

If your vet has given the okay to the recipe you want to use, you can start looking. There are many books on pet nutrition out there. They can be a great place to start your search. You might even be able to get some recipes directly from your dog's doctor as well.

Online research can help you unearth some fantastic options. You may be surprised to find that some will have caloric totals as well as the nutritional content is of the snacks you are making. Calorie counts can be great if your pooch is getting a bit too heavy. If you are not sure your pet will like a particular recipe, you can always look to see if there are similar treats available locally.

Don't be surprised if it takes a little while for you to adjust your recipe. If you have never made jerky or you are not used to making biscuits, it may take some time before you have your technique down pat. When you do finally have your recipe just right, introduce them slowly. Any change in diet can cause diarrhea and that is likely the last thing you want for your dog.