Dog-person gift – Banana Breath Buster Biscuits

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. – Milan Kundera 

This is number five in my 12 Posts of Christmas, and it’s a very bittersweet one for me. It’s for dog treats. Your dog is part of the family, too, and deserve to be treated with the same love they give us. These treats also make a nice gift for anyone you know who owns a dog.

It doesn't look like it, but he actually loved
his Santa coat. So did people who met him on walks.
That look is more a "Hurry up – lets go…"

It’s difficult to not be a bit melancholy while writing this. It will be the first Christmas since the mid-1990s that I won’t have a furry friend in my life. 

My Henry left me this October, following his “brother” Simon, who left in 2009. I miss them, every single day.

Simon was a very quiet, thoughtful boy. Henry was far more demonstrative and a bit of a gourmand. But he did know what he liked and disliked. He was quite fussy with his treats. He would pick certain ones over others consistently. He was a dog that was familiar with his stomach.

Most dog treats have wheat as their first ingredient. Dogs and wheat don’t get along. It’s not something that is in a carnivore’s diet and many can develop sensitivity to it over time. It’s best to avoid it as much as you can, although that can be very hard to do. 

Here’s some of the things that can happen to dogs who have wheat allergies: Itchy skin, shaking of the head, ear inflammation, licking paws, rubbing the face on carpet, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, sneezing, asthma-like symptoms, anal itching and in severe cases even seizures.

The dough.

Henry suffered from a few for much of his life and we couldn't get a handle on it. Not pretty eh? Unfortunately, almost all commercial dog biscuits have wheat as a main ingredient. 

Corn and soy are supposedly equally bad for them, being difficult to digest.

If you want to know more google about dog food and dog treats. For example, many of the dried poultry strips can actually harm your dog because of the other ingredients in them. Meat by-products in food can be just as nasty, too. Cost doesn’t indicate a good dog food either. Don’t be fooled. Do your research.

It’s a hard thing to know if what you’re feeding your friend is actually benefitting them. 

Ready to be baked. They don't spread. You dry them out.

Parsley and mint are two natural breath fresheners that dogs love. Add in peanut butter and bananas and you have a combination that even the most fussy canine will have a hard time resisting!

These treats are one way to lesser whet in your dog's diet, with the benefit of improved breath. Quinoa, rice, banana, peanut butter… what’s not to love. Henry was drooling (just a little) to get them. High praise, I would say. My boy… <3.

Put them in a bag with a tag “From Santa” and you’re ready for a real tail-wagging Christmas morning!

Banana "Breath Busters"

Time: 2 hours  |  Yield: 4 dozen

The perfect gift for your furry children.

2 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed

1/3 cup peanut butter

2 cup brown rice flour 

1-1/3 cup quinoa (regular or red)

1/3 cup hot water

1 cup dried parsley 

1/4 cup dried mint

2 eggs, beaten

In a bowl, place the quinoa with 1/3 cup hot water and let sit for 5 minutes. I used red quinoa because it was more festive!

Mash the bananas into the softened quinoa. Then stir in the peanut butter until well blended. Add in the remaining ingredients and knead the dough with your hands until well combined. It will be somewhat wet and will stick to your fingers. If too wet add in a little more rice flour.

Let the dough sit for 10 minutes. Oil two baking trays or line with parchment.

Set a small dish of water next to the bowl to wet your hands. Roll a 1” round ball of dough in your moistened hands and then flatten between your palms to about 1/4” thick. Place the biscuits on the baking sheets without touching; they can be close – these biscuits do not spread as they bake.

Bake the biscuits at 300°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes. There shouldn’t be much moisture left in the biscuits. Let the cookies cool down in the oven to dry out even more. 

Leave the biscuits on the counter overnight (out of reach of your dog!) to dry and harden up before placing in a container.

If dried thoroughly, these can be store in a sealed container to maintain freshness for 1-2 months. If in doubt, refrigerate.

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Thank you, Henry. I miss you.

Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see. – Helen Keller 

I wasn’t going to write today, but somehow am compelled to do so.

Yesterday was one of the roughest days I have had in my life. I had to make the heart-wrenching decision to have my wonderful fur son, Henry, euthanized. I was there to the end, as he was always there for me in life.

It is one of the hardest decisions a responsible – and loving – pet father ever has to make.

But, for all the heartbreak I am now experiencing, I know it was the right decision.

It has been an incredibly difficult month. It actually all started about seven weeks ago when his pee suddenly turned the colour of red wine.

At first the vet thought it was a urinary infection. But when it didn’t clear up and x-rays were done it was found he had a large mass in his abdomen. Turns out it was what was left of one kidney.

It was cancer, and it had spread to his lungs. The best we could do was make him comfortable until the time came to do “the deed.”

As you can imagine, the following weeks were nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. How will I know when the time has come? I certainly didn’t want him to suffer. At the same time I didn’t want to lose him.

As time went on the cancer slowly began to take its toll, turning the happy-go-lucky boy I loved so much into one who had little interest in doing the things that used to bring him (and me) so much joy. 

I know even he knew that something was terribly wrong. It was heart-breaking to see him change.

This is where the rubber hits the road. So often in life we make decisions based purely on self-interest. It is human nature to do so. They say that even those with altruistic tendencies do so for the “high” they feel in helping others.

Having a pet necessitates one to think more of another than we do of ourselves. These creatures we take into our hearts give us so much and ask so little in return, except for our love. Having the strength to say goodbye when it is necessary is the ultimate expression of that love.

I honestly don’t know what kind of point I am trying to make with all this – if any. Perhaps it is just to set in motion my self-healing. Because, believe me, I am in need of it. I feel “empty” inside, like my heart is missing.

I am forever in debt to the kind folks at South Shore Veterinary in Bridgewater, Dr. Wentzell who performed his initial surgery, and in particular Dr. Hilary Scholten who helped me through the end. She has a gentle soul.

What will I remember? I’ll remember his obsession with ocean waves; his Santa coat he let me make him wear; and how he loved to walk behind me as I mowed the lawn; how he always wanted to go with me no matter how boring the journey; how happy he was just to BE, and to be with me; how exciting it was to get an extra-special treat in his dog bowl, or to play with his toys.

But now I am faced with dog bowls that will never be refilled, and toys whose squeaks have been silenced forever. No more required morning walks. No more waking up at 3am to let him on the bed. No more kisses.

From this point on, I walk alone. But I am more of a man, and a better one, for having him in my life.

Thank you, Henry. I miss you. 

– Love always, your dad.

One Pot Haddock with Vegetables

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. – Khalil Gibran 

It’s October 7 already. Sorry I’ve been AWOL since the 2nd. It’s a tough time here in the country right now.

I have a very sick boy, our Bouvier, Henry. He has cancer and is soon on his way to the Rainbow Bridge to be with his brother Simon. I have to make the decision as to when that is... Anyone who has been through that knows how heart-wrenching that decision is.

So I haven’t really been up even for cooking, let alone posting about it. But life must go on.

We have been unbelievably fortunate to have those two boys in our lives. They were/are the most amazing, loving companions. They always seem(ed) to know when you needed a friend and unconditional love.

And soon it is time for me to perform the ultimate act of love for Henry – the ability to act outside myself and to care enough to ensure he does not suffer. I do not want him to go. I love him with all my heart. But there are things that have to supersede our selfish impulses.

Life seems to send you lessons constantly, if you but look. 

For me the lesson I’m being taught is how to be alone. I don’t do being alone very well. It has made me make some very bad (read stupid) decisions in my past. But this time the lesson is sticking. I'm OK with it. 

I may be physically alone down here, but my heart is full of golden love – not only what I have mined myself but that ore others have deposited in my very personal vault.

I’ll be OK. We’ll be OK. Even though some of us will no longer be physically here.

I was listening to CBC on the drive home from Dartmouth yesterday. Oddly enough, they were talking about death. They mentioned in one culture there is a belief as long as you speak someone’s name they are never dead.

I can get that. The memories of people, pets, etc., are what keeps them alive. In that regard both my fur babies will always be with me, alive in my heart and mind.

We’ll see how this week unfolds. It will most likely be a very tough one. I’ve had quite a few over the past couple months. I want it to stop. Enough already.

It’s interesting that the end of the week is Thanksgiving here in Canada. It’s a time when we should all reflect on the goodness we have in our lives and for those things of which we are most thankful.

I have a lot to be thankful for. I have had great love in my life, and still do.

I know one thing has changed. Fall used to be my favourite season. I'll never look at coloured leaves without thinking of my most wonderful boy.

So I suppose I should give a recipe. This was one night last week I did cook. I wanted something simple, so made a one pot. I hope you enjoy it.

A boy so full of love and joy.

One Pot Haddock with Vegetables

Prep: 15 min  |  Cook: 20 min  |  Serves 2-4

2 cups milk

1 cup sliced carrots, thinly sliced

1/2 cup rice, like basmati or white long grain

1/2 cup butter

1 medium onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, diced

3 cups chopped Swiss chard, leaves only

1 cup parsley, chopped

1 lb haddock fillet, cut in large pieces

salt and pepper to taste

Note: whatever rice you choose has to be able to be cooked in 15 minutes and sit 5. This is most white rices, but not wild or brown.

Place the milk, sliced carrots, rice, butter, onion and garlic in a wide sauté pan.

Bring just to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. If you bring it to a boil the milk will curdle and be unappetizing looking. It will still taste good, but won’t be very pretty.

After the 5 minutes, layer in the chard, parsley and fish. Cover and simmer for 10 min more. 

Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

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Dogs: Cranberry Pie Doggy Treats

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. – Will Rogers

I haven't tasted these (not that I couldn't) but I imagine they
are slightly sweet from all the dried cranberries in them. Yum!

All the ingredients

Henry’s birthday was Wednesday so I made him some parsley-pumpkin treats (see recipe here). They were quite a hit. So much so that they are almost all gone.

He really liked them. In fact when you gave him one he ran into the dining room to eat it in secret. Does a dad’s heart good when his boy loves his cookin’.

In Henry’s defence, he didn’t eat ALL the treats. He did give some to his friend Lucy. I believe she enjoyed them as much as Henry. But it’s difficult to know, she’s a Lab… (just kidding, G).

These treats are a pretty big hit too. He stands in front of the shelf where they are, staring. That’s good, because these have some very healthful ingredients. Just how healthy?

Cranberries are very good to have in a dog’s diet. Cranberries (and/or juice) helps lower the pH of urine in the urinary tract. This makes for a more hostile environment for any bacteria that can cause infections.

Cranberries are an ingredient in some very expensive holistic commercial dog foods.

Pumpkin is a great source of fibre for our furry pals. Because of this it can help balance out either constipation or diarrhea. It can also help with upset stomachs or indigestion.

This is a close-up of the cranberry, ground with some of the
rolled oats to show size. Note the parsley in the bottom.

Parsley is a breath freshener to help make all those kisses a little…sweeter. It also is high in Vitamins A, B and C, plus calcium, magnesium and iron.

We hear a lot about fillers in cheap dog food that are bad for dogs, but oats are actually good. The protein in oats is digestible by dogs, unlike corn. Wild oats contain even a higher level of protein. I doubt I’ll be gathering (or sowing!) wild oats any time soon, though.

Make sure your dog is not sensitive before you feed treats made with grains. If they are, substitute a non-grain “filler.” For example, grind some quinoa. Quinoa are seeds and not a grain.

Who knew you could make such powerhouses out of a few simple kitchen ingredients?

But, as always, the proof is in the pudding. Mr. Henry seemed to think cranberry pies passed muster on that count too!

Cranberry Pie Doggy Treats

Prep: 20 min  | Bake: 1 hr  |  Yield: 48 treats

2-1/2 cups steel cut rolled oats

1/4 cup dried parsley

1 cup dried cranberries, unsweetened

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup canned pumpkin purée

2 eggs

enough flour to make a barely sticky dough

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place the rolled oats in a food processor and process until well ground, almost like a flour. Remove to a bowl.

Next add the cranberries and process until chopped very fine. Add 1 cup of the processed rolled oats back in and run the motor for about 2-3 minutes. The cranberries will be cut very fine and the flour will turn slightly pink.

Remove the cranberry “flour” to the bowl with the rest of the oats. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the “enough flour” and knead with your hands. The dough will be sticky.

Add just enough white flour (or other flour) to make a dough that holds together without sticking to your hands. It will still feel damp.

Flatten the dough into the bottom of the bowl and divide into six even pieces.

At this point you can use whatever shaping method you prefer. The following is how I made 48 “pies”.

Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Take a 4” baking ring and flatten each of the six pieces of dough into a uniformly thick round.

Cut each of the rounds into eight wedges. Pull the pieces apart slightly so there is air around each treat.

Bake for 40 minutes on the first side. Turn and bake for another 15 minutes on the second side. 

Remove and let cool before giving out to your canine companions.

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Birthday Recipe: Parsley & Pumpkin Dog Treats

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. – James Thurber 

Someone got homemade treats for a present.

Today's a very special day in our household. Today our Bouvier – and best pal – Henry, turns 8 years old. How has that happened?

It's difficult to believe that it's been 8 years since he came into our lives. Time passes so quickly. Life will pass you by if you don't watch out.

We actually have only lived with Henry for 7-1/2 years. He was one of two "leftovers" from a litter of 8. They were crated at the breeder's during the day so weren't taught a great deal.

When we went to look the breeder said that the other puppy was probably the one we would want because he was more outgoing. That puppy paid no attention to us at all.

Henry, on the other hand, was supposed to be a very reserved one. Funnily, he wouldn't leave us alone. I believe he chose us, as opposed to the other way around.

We love Henry with all our hearts, but I do have to admit that when he first came to our home – at 6 months old – it was a trial.

His other father wanted to send him back. He was working nights, and since Henry had been crated at the breeder's we thought we could do the same here at first. Simon (our older Bouvier) was loose in the house to keep him company.

Were we wrong. Apparently being crated with his brother and being crated at our house were two completely different experiences. He howled all day. Have you ever heard a Bouvier howl? It's not a soft, quiet whimper.

That almost ended it. My spouse was getting no sleep, and I was hearing all about it every day when I got home. It went on for maybe a week.

I believe we finally solved it in an obviously simple way. We let him roam the house free with Simon. And he's still roaming.

Over the years he's learned to work the two of us really well to get what he wants. He knows who's the "soft touch" at the table (not me), and who's best to come to for lovings (that's me).

He has become such an integral part of our family that he (and his gut) are never far from our thoughts. He seems to enjoy eating…

The least we could do was make him some biscuits for his birthday.

Henry was certainly interested in the whole process, and even more so as the biscuits baked and their smell filled the kitchen. I even thought they smelled good.

There's only good things in these biscuits and they take no time at all to make. The parsley acts as breath "moderator" which is also a bonus.

Henry had one that I took out early because it was thinner than the rest. I think he won't mind eating them.

In fact, he actually did what looked like a little dance in front of the oven. Mmmm. Good, Dad!

Parsley & Pumpkin Dog Treats

Prep: 30 min  | Bake: 40-50 min  |  Yield: 36 treats

2-1/2 cups buckwheat flour

1 cup dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup canned pumpkin purée

2 eggs

enough water to make a dough

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Blend the buckwheat, parsley and salt in a bowl. Add the pumpkin and eggs and knead with your hand. The dough should almost come together and will be very stiff.

Add just enough water to bring the last of the buckwheat into the dough. I used 1/4 cup.

Flour (a little white flour) a flat surface. Roll the dough out to about 1/4" thick. Cut out cookies and place on foil-lined baking sheets. Continue to bring the dough scraps together until all the dough is used.

I used a 3" long bone-shaped cookie cutter and the yield was 36.

Bake for 20 minutes on the first side. Turn and bake for 20 or 30 minutes more, or until nearly dry. They will continue to dry out a little more as they cool.

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Repost: Doggie Feet and Sidewalk Salt

Sidewalk salt turns pleasant walk into painful ordeal

With the full onset of winter, the road salt is out in full force. Have you ever been walking your dog and they raise a paw (or paws)? They look at you so pitifully. "Why do I hurt?" It's because the salt they are walking through is burning their feet.

This morning's sidewalk condiment, just up the road a few feet. This is nothing.

Rock salt and most chemical de-icers irritate a dog's paws and turn a winter walk into a painful ordeal. It's dangerous on the walk, and again when they return home and try to lick it off. Road salt has chemicals added to increase its effectiveness. Ingesting it can be toxic.

This morning on our walk I ran into this problem with Henry. We had a skiff of snow the previous night and snow removal companies were out in full force. In places the salt was actually over an inch thick. I would suggest this is neither environmentally, or financially, wise.

When Simon was quite young, and I unaware of this problem, he actually collapsed on Spring Garden Road because his paws burned so terribly. I had to physically pick him up and carry him about 1/4 of a block. Simon was a Bouvier and weighed about 65 lbs at the time. It's amazing the strength you can muster when your child is in pain.

Form Wikipedia (Road Salt):

"Calcium chloride is preferred over sodium chloride, as CaCl2 releases energy upon forming a solution with water, heating any ice or snow it is in contact with. It also lowers the freezing point, depending on the concentration. Whereas the minimum freezing point is −21.12 °C for 23.31 wt% of salt, the freezing near this concentration is so slow that the eutectic point of −22.4 °C can be reached with about 25 wt% of salt. (Do you understand any of that? I don't. - D) NaCl does not release heat upon solution; however, it does lower the freezing point. Calcium chloride is thought to be more environmentally friendly than sodium chloride when used to de-ice roads, however a drawback is that it tends to promote corrosion (of vehicles) more so than sodium chloride. NaCl is also more readily available and does not have any special handling or storage requirements, unlike calcium chloride."

We can't very well change the policy for an entire city, but what can we do as individual home owners? 

The US National Animal Poison Control suggests using sand or cat litter for traction instead of salt. It won't melt snow or ice, but won't hurt your (or other pet owners) dog's feet. My mother uses only sand in consideration of her dog.

What can we do to protect our pets? 

Wash their paws before going out and apply either Vaseline or Bag Balm (a farm product for cow's udders). When you return, repeat. As a preventative measure keep the hair trimmed on the bottom of your pet's feet. This will help stop the build-up of the salty slush that causes their pain.

Of course, there's always boots, but some dogs (Simon was one) won't abide them. It is good for a laugh, though.

Currently we're in the midst of a full-on snowstorm. I dread our walks the next few days.

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Dog Recipe: Homemade Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs

One time I introduced my orchestra as the Shampoo Music Makers instead of the Champagne Music Makers. – Lawrence Welk

So simple.

Henry has bad skin on occasion. It gets very flaky and subsequently he gets itchy and uncomfortable. Sometimes it's so bad he has his skin red.

I remember when Simon was alive he used to get “oatmeal emollients” at the groomer's. His skin wasn’t dry but I’m sure it benefitted my "best buddy." (Henry's a best buddy, too.)

Dry skin can lead to a whole host of problems and opens your best friend up to potential infections. Dry skin flakes fall all over your house, clothes, children – literally everything your dog touches – and with it any infections that skin may be carrying. 

Usually dry skin in dogs points to dietary problems. They require oils in their food to ensure optimal skin condition. Often fish oil supplements are suggested by vets, or even feeding canned fish.

Look to your vet first, of course. He may suggest supplements or medicine to allay skin problems in conjunction with shampoos. But if, like me, you’re already feeding good food your next step may be oatmeal shampoo.

Oatmeal emollients and shampoos are some of the most popular shampoos for home use, as well as at doggy salons. Oatmeal shampoo works by helping the dog’s skin to retain moisture. This helps fight the dry skin condition that is visible as flakes.

If you look online you will get a thousand opinions on using human shampoo on animals. I believe a gentle shampoo is the way to go. Many shampoos contain some unpronounceable ingredients that probably aren't all that good for us, let alone our dogs.

Think all natural or baby shampoo and you’re on the right track, or a gentle shampoo that has some other benefits too.

This shampoo has a healthy portion of oatmeal, combined with purchased shampoo to get a lather going.

On the site Vetinfo.com they state the following:

Oatmeal shampoo offers many benefits to dogs with skin problems, including moisturizing and soothing itchy skin. It also helps relieve symptoms of allergies, dry skin, hot spots, and flea and tick problems. Oatmeal shampoo also helps clean and soften a dog’s coat.

The recipe I used as a base was also on that site even though I found it via a different source.

I looked for a while at the store before choosing a shampoo. My choice was one that had aloe vera and avocado. I’m hoping that the aloe vera helps with any inflammation. 

The avocado helps counter dryness as well. Avocado oil is quite similar to the oil in our skin. In humans, avocado is used topically for psoriasis – in conjunction with chamomile cream.

The only problem with the shampoo I chose was it was scented. Try to avoid that if possible, although our boy should smell quite pretty after his bath.

The recipe yield is in volume. How much you use will depend entirely on the size of your dog. Henry’s quite a big boy. I'm assuming this is only one bath. I have no idea how long this shampoo would last so perhaps small batches is the best way to go. It only takes about 5 minutes to make.

Henry will be having his bath Saturday morning. So we’ll see how it goes. He’s a pretty good boy when he’s being bathed. We’re lucky.

Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs

Time: 5 min  |  Yield: 2 cups

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup baking soda

1 cup warm water

1/2 cup gentle shampoo, like Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

Measure oatmeal and put into a food processor. Blend until you've ground it as close to powder as you can get.

Add the baking soda and pulse again until mixed. Then add the water and purée until very smooth and creamy.

Finally add the shampoo and just pulse until blended. Don’t foam up the shampoo.

Make sure you rinse your dog well after use, the same as you would for any other shampoo.

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Dog Treats: Homemade Sweet Potato (Yam) Chews

From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog. – Mabel Louise Robinson

Sweet potato chews. Good, Mmmmm, Good. Ask Henry.

My dog Henry has discovered another favourite thing – Sweet Potato Chews. In case you’re unfamiliar with them, they are an all-natural dog treat marketed in Canada under several brand names. And they’re not cheap. But to make them yourself is.

Making your own doesn’t just benefit your wallet. They're good for your pet too. No preservatives or unwanted fillers, no salt, grains, fats, etc. like many of what would be classified as affordable dog treats. These truly are all natural.

The term “All Natural” is a bit of a craps shoot in the realm of dog food, and other pet foods in general. The same words should ring alarm bells in human food advertising whenever it appears as well.

All natural. 2 sweet potatoes, 1 lemon. That's it.

“All Natural” is not regulated by the USFDA. That means a product can be labelled as “All Natural” without having to certify their product as having natural properties or having to be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as containing natural products. So read your labels and ingredients lists.

In Canada it will soon be up to consumers themselves to police human food labels as the Canadian Government is no longer going to do so. They have cut that responsibility in their latest budget. Can you believe it?

Regardless, these treats are simple to make so no worries about labelling. Sweet potatoes, a lemon, an oven and time are all you need. How difficult is that? By making them yourself you are guaranteed there are no preservatives or other ingredients added to stabilize the treats. But make sure they are well dried.

From Robert Mueller, BSc, Pharm and author*

This vegetable ingredient (sweet potato) is commonly used as an acceptable filler source – one that normally doesn’t cause stomach upset or other digestion problems. Sweet potatoes have much more nutrition than regular potatoes. They're rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients, and are classified as an anti-diabetic food. They received this title because animal studies have found that sweet potatoes help stabilize blood sugar levels and lower insulin resistance. They contain vitamin A which also protects against emphysema.

Soaking in lemon water helps preserve the colour.

Notable Nutrients: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese, Copper, Fiber, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Iron.

However, there are a few things to be cautious of when using sweet potatoes as an ingredient in your pet’s diet. A sweet potato is full of starch so weight gain is a possibility if too much is fed. Another thing to be wary of is that the skin of the sweet potato could contain harmful chemicals if mouldy. Be sure to inspect all sweet potatoes to prevent feeding a mouldy sweet potato to your dog and make sure to use them sparingly.

But remember just because most vegetables are important in a dog’s diet, they are carnivores with omnivore abilities. That means they will eat (and their systems are able to digest foods) from many food groups, but their main requirement is meat. So regardless of your own food-based beliefs, never restrict your pet’s diet to reflect your own. They have no choice. You do.

Always feed you furry loved ones a well balanced and healthy diet – one that is based on their species physiology.

These are so good my fingers somehow get in his mouth too.

Sweet Potato Chews

Time: 3+ hours

2 large sweet potatoes

1 large lemon

water

Wash the sweet potatoes well and dry. Do not peel.

Slice the sweet potatoes into slightly less than 1/4” thick. Remember they will shrink in the oven. Place the slices in a bowl. Squeeze the lemon juice over the top and add just enough water to cover. This will help prevent discolouration when drying.

Let the slices soak for about 5 minutes.

Arrange the slices on wire racks or wire mesh (NOT cookie sheets) without touching. Wire mesh would be best. Place the slices in the oven. Set the heat to 220°F and let them dry for at least 3 hours. 

Check at that time and if not dry continue to bake until they are. It may take longer, depending on how thick you sliced your potatoes.

If completely dry these will last for several weeks. Actually they won’t last that long if your dog knows where they are!

Refrigerate any slices that may not be dried through to prevent mould and feed them first.

* Robert Mueller is a registered pharmacist, author of “Living Enzymes: The World’s Best Kept Pet Food Secret”, and co-developer of BARF World’s BARF diets patties, nuggets and supplements – the first company to make the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods (BARF) diet conveniently available to animals everywhere.

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Dog Recipe: Banana Breath Buster Dog Biscuits – Wheat Free!

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. – Gilda Radner

Dog biscuits, certified "tasty" by our Bouvier!

It’s Christmas Eve. Have your made your canine best friend something special for tomorrow? Not only are these biscuits tasty, but they’re wheat free. They also have mint and parsley that help improve your dog’s breath so those kisses you receive are even sweeter.

This is the mixed dough.

I know it’s late and you probably won’t have the ingredients on hand, but these biscuits are a big hit. No greater judge than our Bouvier des Flandres, Henry, gave them two paws up. 

He’s quite fussy with his treats, too. He’ll pick certain ones over others consistently. He’s a dog that knows what he likes.

Dogs and wheat don’t really get along. It’s not something that is in a carnivore’s diet and many dogs can develop a sensitivity to it over time. It’s best to keep it to a minimum. 

Unfortunately many commercial dog biscuits have wheat as a main ingredient.

What can wheat do to your dog? Well…

Symptoms of a wheat allergy can include itchy skin, shaking of the head, ear inflammation, licking front paws, and flatulence all the way to behavioural changes and seizures. Not pretty.

Regardless of whether it’s biscuits or not, wheat should be minimized in your dog’s diet. Check the label on your dog food. Where does wheat appear? The first ingredients should be meat products. Vegetables and fruit are good too. 

If you want to know more google search about dog food. Meat by-products can be just as nasty too. Cost doesn’t indicate a good dog food either. Don’t be fooled. Do research.

It’s a hard thing to know that what you’re feeding your friend is actually benefitting them. 

These treats are one way to start in the right direction, with the benefit of improved breath. Quinoa, rice, banana, peanut butter… what’s not to love. Henry was drooling to get them. High praise, I would say.

Banana Breath Buster Dog Biscuits

This recipe yielded exactly 48 biscuits.

Makes about 4 dozen

Parsley and mint are two natural breath fresheners that dogs love. Add in peanut butter and bananas and you have a combination that even the most fussy canine will have a hard time resisting!

2 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed

1/3 cup peanut butter
2 cup brown rice flour
1-1/3 cup quinoa (regular or red)

1/3 cup hot water
1 cup dried parsley 

1/4 cup dried mint

2 eggs, beaten

In a bowl place the quinoa with 1/3 cup hot water and let sit for 5 minutes. I used red quinoa because it was more festive!

Mash the bananas into the quinoa. Then stir in the peanut butter until well blended. Add in the remaining ingredients and knead the dough with your hands until well combined. It will be somewhat wet and will stick to your fingers. If too wet add in a little more rice flour.

Harden them up overnight on a rack.

Let the dough sit for 10 minutes. Oil two baking trays.

Set a small dish of water next to the bowl to wet your hands. Roll a 1” round ball of dough in your moistened hands and then flatten between your palms to about 1/4” thick. Place the biscuits on the baking sheets without touching; they can be close – these biscuits do not spread as they bake.

Bake the biscuits at 300°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes. There shouldn’t be much moisture left in the biscuits. Let the cookies cool down in the oven to dry out even more. 

Leave the biscuits on the counter overnight (out of reach of your dog!) to dry and harden up before placing in a container.

Store in a sealed container to maintain freshness for 1-2 months or refrigerate.

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