[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

I have recently read that you should not give your dog babyfood. What is the reason for this? I have never given any to mine, but I want to be clear why a person shouldn't.

Just looked this up on the net: We’ll start with human food. Baby food can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. In addition, it can result in nutritional deficiencies especially if fed in large amounts. Simply stated, it’s best to avoid since this could be toxic to dogs. That’s why it’s called baby food and not dog food.
In a lot of the doggie recipes--the meat flavored baby food is prob. used more than the others and I would think are the main ones that contain onion powder but suppose the 'main meal' ones could too---Have to check the label. You would think that a little onion powder would not be that bad, BUT that's just it --It is concentrated --so much stronger!

[CorkyMax]

Question
How Safe is baby Food For A Dog, And If Any What Kind..my Dog since she was a puppy has been eating checken with Chicken Gravy that I was told to feed her.. One jar aday... from a lady friend of mind that raises dog.. but I want to know for sure if and what kind of baby food is ok for my dog.. she seems to like it but i stoped giving it to her. and every time i baby sit for a friend of mine and she hears a jar of baby food open.. and i feed the baby.. she beggs for some.. so can you tell me is baby food safe for a dog.. and if so what kind can i give her,.mixed with her dry dog food.. or as a treat..thanks.. and hope you can help Me.. God Bless and by the way my Dog is A 11 month old female Chihuahua/Pom Mix

Answer
Hello, a breeder said to feed baby food on a daily basis? are you supplementing with anything else? This would make for a Very unbalanced diet and she will end up with health problems related to poor diet...also Soft foods are Very bad for dogs teeth they cause plaque build up and tartar and then the teeth are more likely to be lost early in life...hard bones.kibbles/chews help remove plaque build up and prevent the buildup or excess tarter.

[Lara's mom]

The baby food - pablum thing is a one week cross over. I start introducing puppy/kitten food a tiny bit at a time. You have to bare in mind that these puppies and kittens haven't had the benefit of a mother and her milk so, they are more vulnerable. Their little tummy's are not like ordinary healthy animals. Everything that is introduced has to be done by tiny increments. Their little systems aren't "up to scratch." Sometimes, they just won't tolerate solid food and you have to back to the milk replacer for a few days and then very slowly try to introduce solid food again...

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

The baby food - pablum thing is a one week cross over. I start introducing puppy/kitten food a tiny bit at a time. You have to bare in mind that these puppies and kittens haven't had the benefit of a mother and her milk so, they are more vulnerable. Their little tummy's are not like ordinary healthy animals. Everything that is introduced has to be done by tiny increments. Their little systems aren't "up to scratch." Sometimes, they just won't tolerate solid food and you have to back to the milk replacer for a few days and then very slowly try to introduce solid food again...

Don't know if I am misunderstanding here or if you are The only baby food I am referring to is the stuff in the jars that is really people food for a baby.

[Lara's mom]

That is what they start with. Human baby food chicken in broth mixed with a bit of pablum and milk replacer. Then, I slowly start adding small amounts of kitten or puppy food while withdrawing the pablum and milk replacer. Eventually, they are all on a good quality kitten/puppy food.

[CorkyMax]

Here is a link to a newsletter I get that is on dog recipes.
This recent issue is featuring treats for overweight pooches. But if you check out to the left of the page(s)--will give you more recipes, etc. to click on. :mrgreen:

Fat Dogs Can Lose Weight with Low Fat Dog Treats, Exercise, and Our Help

[fidobuddy]

Thanks everyone for sharing these easy recipes. I'm not really good at cooking or preparing food. Hope these recipes won't give me a hard time so I can prepare some nice and yummy treats for my dogs

[CorkyMax]

Spinach Bagels

3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup frozen chopped spinach
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 cup water (more if needed)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir in spinach. Stir in oil and water, enough to make a pliable dough. Roll bits of dough into balls about 1-2 inches in diameter. Poke a hole through each ball with the end of a wooden spoon. Bake on an oiled cookie sheet (don't skip the oiling! They will stick!) for 45-50 minutes. Serve to your canine guests topped with a dab of peanut butter.

REMEMBER to either refrigerate or freeze homemade treats to avoid spoilage and insect infestation.

[firetyrant]

I think I'm going to be trying some of these recipes this weekend to see if my doggie likes them.

[goodgod]

I'm trying to find a cheap cookie cutter that's the shape of a small bone. Because my pet likes this very much.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by goodgod

I'm trying to find a cheap cookie cutter that's the shape of a small bone. Because my pet likes this very much.

Probably a place like Petsmart would have these. Maybe you can check on the net and see if they (or some place else) carry this item.

Couple more recipes to add. The 1st recipe is for a standard biscuit ---Like you buy (Milk Bones, etc.) but without the nasty preservatives. Here is the link: How to Make Homemade Dog Treats | Dog Obedience Training Blog

[moj.kuzek]

If there must be some treats i would give a dog home-made buscuits. Bus generally i'm against the treats. I reather give my dog some toys.

[Lara's mom]

My bunch just love the sweet potato jerky. I had to do it differently because I don't have a food dehydrator but it turned out really well. Now, they want them all the time!!!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by goodgod

I'm trying to find a cheap cookie cutter that's the shape of a small bone. Because my pet likes this very much.

Check ebay. Here's a link;

bone shaped cookie cutter, Collectibles, Home Garden. Great deals on eBay!

Also, here are a few homemade, grain-free dog treats;

GRAIN-FREE DOGGIE TREAT

Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground beef—uncooked1/4 cup chicken broth1/3 cup black beans, cooked—mashed1/3 cup cottage cheese

Directions:
Mix ground meat and chicken broth in a bowl. Add the black beans and cottage cheese. Mix all of the ingredients together thoroughly. Shape the mixture into bones or squares and place on a cookie sheet. You can make them big or little. Bake for 45 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Let cool.

[CorkyMax]

This recipe is useful for many things--as a topping (or blend in with other foods) for home-cooked meals--Might be a good way to 'fatten' up your dog too if it needs to gain weight--also might increase a dog's appetite if not wanting to eat.

Mashed Potato Dog Treat Icing for any Meaty Dog Treat Recipe

[Todd]

Here's also a cool little recipe for a dog birthday cake. Most doggie cakes contain a lot of grain and ingredients that are seemingly unhealthy. This recipe is def. the healthiest birthday cake recipe I have come across yet for a dog and I am def. going to try and make it for Lucky's birthday this year;

Meaty Dog Cake

Meaty Dog Cake Ingredients

1 lb. Extra Lean Ground Meat - Hamburger, Pork, Chicken, Turkey, Fish, Meat Mixture
8 eggs
1 Cup Quick Cooking Oatmeal
1/2 Cup Nutritional Dog Cracker Crumbs
Meaty Dog Cake Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a small baking pan.

Lightly beat the eggs and set aside in a medium bowl.
Mix the oatmeal and cracker crumbs into the eggs and then work the ground meat into the mixture.

Form a cake from the meat mixture and place it on the baking pan. You can make a furrow in the cake top and place cottage cheese, cheese, ketchup or a combination into the furrow.
Bake the cake for 30 minutes or untl it is done. Cool completely, frost and serve.

Check For Doneness

The diy recipe for the Meaty Birthday Party Dog Cake is similar to making a meatloaf. You can check for doneness when the edges look dry and the size of the ingredients have noticeably shrunken. You can make individual meaty "cupcakes" from this recipe for a dog party.

Different Dog Party Cake Icing, Frosting And Toppings

When the meaty dog cake has finished baking, you may melt cheese on top as a cheese glaze right before the dog party cake is removed from the oven. You can sprinkle Parmesan cheese on the meaty dog cake as well. Other topping or icing options require a cooled cake before application. The cooled cake frostings include lowfat or nonfat cream cheese, sour cream and gravy. Rice flour is the easiest flour to digest for dogs so if you are going to make a gravy, use rice flour.

The dog party cake is a meatloaf that you can dress up according to your dog's favorite flavors. If your dog loves fish, use ground fish as the main ingredient. You can even use TVP in this recipe to replace some of the meat protein.

*You could also probably substitute something else for the oats if you're looking for something grain-free.

[Ozzy29]

These recipes sound great. Sadly, I never seem to be able to find the time to bake for my husband and kids, I can just imagine what they would say if I was baking cookies for the dog.

[CorkyMax]

Make dog treats if you want to share a meal's leftovers with the dog. Homemade treats are fresher and don't have the additives often found in those purchased in the store.

Healthy Dog Treats
Ingredients:

1 cup lean meat chopped into very small pieces (without a lot of spices or fat is best)This can be leftovers but no onions involved PLEASE!)
2 eggs (as a binding agent)
1 tablespoon flax seed oil for its omega 3 oils (good for skin and coat)
1 cup oatmeal
½ cup flour

How to make the treats:

1.Mix until all ingredients are well blended.
2.Place a piece of wax paper or parchment on the cookie sheet to prevent sticking. Form small balls and place about an inch apart on the cookie sheet. Adjust the size of ball to the size of dog receiving the treats.
3.Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes. Less time if the balls are smaller. Turn off the oven and let the treats sit in the oven for another 45 minutes to become hard.
4.Remove treats to a cooling rack. Once cool, move to an airtight container (resealable storage bag or plastic bowl) and store in the refrigerator.
Provide treats as normal. These treats will last 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, so freeze extras and thaw quantities as needed.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Make dog treats if you want to share a meal's leftovers with the dog. Homemade treats are fresher and don't have the additives often found in those purchased in the store.

Healthy Dog Treats
Ingredients:

1 cup lean meat chopped into very small pieces (without a lot of spices or fat is best)This can be leftovers but no onions involved PLEASE!)
2 eggs (as a binding agent)
1 tablespoon flax seed oil for its omega 3 oils (good for skin and coat)
1 cup oatmeal
½ cup flour

How to make the treats:

1.Mix until all ingredients are well blended.
2.Place a piece of wax paper or parchment on the cookie sheet to prevent sticking. Form small balls and place about an inch apart on the cookie sheet. Adjust the size of ball to the size of dog receiving the treats.
3.Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes. Less time if the balls are smaller. Turn off the oven and let the treats sit in the oven for another 45 minutes to become hard.
4.Remove treats to a cooling rack. Once cool, move to an airtight container (resealable storage bag or plastic bowl) and store in the refrigerator.
Provide treats as normal. These treats will last 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, so freeze extras and thaw quantities as needed.

What are you guys' opinions of flour to use while baking dog treats? White flour, whole grain, or wheat? It's good to see a pet food label saying no corn, NO WHEAT, no soy. A LOT of pet treats are made from whole wheat flour. We also know grains aren't the best things for dogs either. So would you guys agreee that white flour is the best to use?

[CorkyMax]

Todd/quote: What are you guys' opinions of flour to use while baking dog treats? White flour, whole grain, or wheat? It's good to see a pet food label saying no corn, NO WHEAT, no soy. A LOT of pet treats are made from whole wheat flour. We also know grains aren't the best things for dogs either. So would you guys agreee that white flour is the best to use?
__________________
I have wondered about that too! I like oatmeal the best and a person can make oatmeal flour (I have never done this though but think there is a post I did in this thread that tells how to do it.) As far as white over the others---prob. depends on the individual dog--whether has a prob. with grains or not. I think the white prob. isn't as nutritious but might be less of a prob. than whole wheat or whole grain if the dog has allergies to grains. Just my thoughts here--I am no expert on this question! And I think oatmeal is one of the better grains for not causing allergies, BUT it depends on the dog and his own 'special' reactions to the grains--Usually it is the wheat (and you know white flour is still wheat--just a lot more refined)that is the main culpret for most allergies that dogs have to do with the grains. Corn is not a good one either. I think there are a few more expensive grains that are good too but can't recall which ones right now. Lol, as you know -- in ordr to make biscuits, etc. you have to use some kind of 'flour/grain to make them with!

Will be back here with the oatmeal flour 'recipe' if I find it and possibly later on those other more expensive subs for less allergy-causing problems for dogs that are allergic to the common grains.