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Pet Food Recipes for Cats and Dogs EDIT

Source of Recipe

Kathy

Cat Crunchies
Find food-quality bonemeal, a good source of protein, at natural-food supermarkets or pet stores.

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup bonemeal
1/2 cup teaspoon brewer's yeast
Pinch of catnip (optional)
1/2 beaten egg
1 teaspoon vegetable oil or cod liver oil
1/2 cup chicken stock
5 ounces boneless mackerel or canned tuna, packed in oil; or chopped cooked chicken
Mix dry ingredients and catnip, if using, in a large bowl and add egg, oil, and chicken stock. Mash fish or meat with a fork and add to mixture in bowl. Blend well. Shape into dime-size balls. Place onto a lightly greased baking sheet and press to flatten. Bake at 350°F for about 8 minutes, until golden, turning once. Let treats cool before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or wrap in foil in packets of 10 and store in the freezer. Makes about 60 treats.

Cat's Canapes
A feline digestive system needs plant fiber, though most commercial cat foods contain minimal amounts of meat and nary a single vegetable. This recipe can supplement kitty's regular diet.

1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1-1/2 slices whole-wheat bread, crumbled
1/4 finely chopped broccoli or string beans, or grated carrots
1 teaspoon brewer's yeast
Pinch of catnip (optional)
Mix all ingredients well, mashing with a fork or your fingers. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes. Cool. Break treats in half before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days, or freeze. Makes about 36 treats.

Reader Recipes
Below are pet recipes contributed by our Almanac readers. Please add your own recipes—or helpful comments—below!

Barney's Best Biscuits
(Submitted by Ann Hicks)
3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cup rolled oats
3 tablespoons wheat germ
1/4 cup instant nonfat dry milk
4 tablespoons rendered chicken fat or bacon grease
1 egg
1 cup pureed carrots or spinach 2 cup chicken or beef stock
1 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. It will be sticky. Turn dough out on heavily floured board and pat to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out cookies with a dog bone-shaped cutter. Place on greased cookie sheet. Prick with fork. Bake in 325 degree oven for 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Makes 26 4 1/2 inch "bakers' dozen" dog biscuits.

Homemade Dog Biscuit Recipe
(Submitted by Beverly Daly)

1-1/2 cups Flour
3/4 cup Oatmeal or Quick Oats
1/4 cup Honey Crunch Wheat Germ
1/4 cup Peanut Butter
1/4 cup Salad Oil
1/4 cup Honey
1 teaspoon Baking Powder 1/2 Cup Water

In large bowl, mix 1 cup flour and remaining ingredients with 1/2 cup water until blended. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup flour. Preheat oven to 350 deg. With floured hands, knead dough on floured surface till it holds together. Roll dough 1/4" thick. Cut out with bone shaped cutter - as many as possible.

Bake on a large ungreased cookie sheet for 20 minutes. Turn oven off and let cookies remain in oven for 1 hour. Remove bones from cookie sheet to wire rack. Makes about 20 dog bones.

MICROWAVE Doggie Donuts
(Submitted by Beverly Daly)

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
2/3 cup Beef or Chicken Broth
3 tablespoon Oatmeal
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Place flour in a bowl. Add egg and broth, mixing well. Blend in oatmeal and garlic powder. Shape dough into a ball and roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Re-roll scraps and repeat. Arrange on a microwavable plate, wax paper or parchment paper. Microwave on HIGH for 8 to 10 minutes or until firm. Let cool until hardened. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Holiday Pumpkin Dog Treats
2-1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or split flour/oats)
2 eggs
3/4 can packed pumpkin
2 tablespoon peanut butter
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients, then knead on a lightly floured surface. Roll 1/4-inch thick and cut into a dog-bone (or any) shape. Brush treats with egg white before baking. Bake 40 minutes.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
(Submitted by MB)
Treat your dog to fruits and veggies--to avoid the flours from grains. Here are safe options:
Carrots raw uncooked
Pumpkin fresh in season or canned without spices
Blueberries fresh when in season or frozen
Yellow squash fresh
Zuccini fresh and uncooked
Sweet potatoes cooked in microwave until soft
Mangos fresh or frozen