Today is the day your upper-crust English pup has been waiting for – National Dog Biscuit Day! Forget treats, which are way too common. The definition of a biscuit is “a small, typically round cake of bread leavened with baking powder, baking soda, or sometimes yeast.” While this rule doesn’t necessary hold for all dog biscuits, they do differ in their crumbly texture and traditional dog bone shape.
Just because your biscuit is traditional doesn’t mean the ingredients have to be! Mix up the typical menu of chicken and bacon for healthy superfoods like sweet potatoes and carrots. Homemade dog biscuits are perfect for pets with food allergies or intolerances, as pet parents can keep track of everything that goes into them.
Bust out your baking sheets and keep the canines out of the kitchen to make these easy dog biscuit recipes. Find even more homemade goodies for pets on our Pinterest. Let us know how your pups enjoy these tasty creations! Tag us in your photos and use #gohealthypaws on Instagram and Twitter.
Homemade Carrot Dog Biscuits
This homemade dog biscuit recipe from Dukes and Duchesses uses carrot baby food to ensure a smooth texture in these traditional canine temptations. Carrots are loaded with vitamins A, C and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants. Eggs and flour are used here, so these are a no-go for dogs with certain allergies.
Sweet Potato Banana Dog Biscuits
Perfect for a pup’s birthday or absolutely no reason at all, these dog biscuits from Girl in the Little Red Kitchen feature another superfood – sweet potatoes! Dogs go gaga for this healthy veggie, which contains over 100% of your daily vitamin A recommendation and plenty of fiber to boot. Orange is the most common variety, but keep an eye out for yellow and purple sweet potatoes, which are tasty as well.
Pumpkin Oat Dog Biscuits
Pumpkin puree gives these scrumptious homemade dog biscuits a rich flavor, perfectly balanced with nutty oats in this recipe from The Midnight Baker. Avoid using pumpkin pie filling, which has added spices and sugars! Only pure, fresh pureed pumpkin is acceptable for pets and has the health benefits of vitamin C and fiber. Whole wheat flour is used in this dog biscuit recipe, so if your pet has sensitivities to gluten it’s best to use a substitute.
Chicken and Wild Rice Dog Biscuits
From Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen comes this recipe for chicken and wild rice dog biscuits. If you have a picky pup, try using the same ingredients in homemade treats that are in their food. In biscuit form, chicken and wild rice are much more appealing than chunks of kibble. These homemade dog biscuits can also be frozen for up to 6 months, so don’t be afraid to bake in bulk!
Peanut Butter and Applesauce Cookies for Dogs
If you’re got a peanut butter hound on your hands, these homemade dog biscuits are sure to be a hit! Peanut butter is a great source of protein for pets trying to gain weight through non-meat alternatives. Applesauce adds a moist sweetness, while oats provide just enough texture. The Lazy Pitbull reports these were eagerly eaten by her dogs, although has any pup ever turned down peanut butter?
(Featured image via Flickr.com/missjessie)
