[CorkyMax]

MERRICK PET CARE RECALLS JR TEXAS TAFFY PET TREAT (ITEM # 27077, ALL LOTS UP TO AND INCLUDING 10364) BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SALMONELLA HEALTH RISK

[lange]

I've been on the search for new treats & ran across this one, glad I didn't end up buying it. :/

[CorkyMax]

Hey Lange! Don't know if you are into making homemade treats but here are a few good ones (simple, really to do): Sweet Salmon Aux Pommes
Ingredients:
2 med. Sweet potatoes

1 can salmon Is this the 8 ounce can or the bigger size (14and 1/2 oz)?? I am guessing the larger size!)

2 ½ cups flour

1 tablespoon flaxseeds (optional)



Directions: Boil the sweet potatoes approx. 20-30 minutes until done. (You should be able to easily stick a fork in them and break them apart).

Put into a food processor, add the salmon and pulse. When the salmon and sweet potato mixture is combined, add 1 cup of flour, process until smooth then add the next cup of flour, process until smooth and finally the last ½ cup of flour. If adding flaxseeds, you can add at the end. They’ll give the treats an extra nutty flavor and more Omega 3’s.

Using a tablespoon, spoon out some of the mixture and “drop” onto a greased cookie sheet for drop cookies. Using the back of the spoon spread the dough out a little so it’s more or less even.

Bake at 425 F. for 30 minutes

Your dog will love a salmon dog treat!

Another Recipe------->
Soft Sweet Potato Treat
Just saw this in a dog cook book I have. You could prob. use it -not only for a treat but part of a regular meal (If you cook for your dog--or even if you raw feed) Note that I haven't tried this recipe yet but it just has to be good!

Gnashed Sweet Potatoes

2-3 sweet potatoes, cut into large dice
1 Tablespoon blackstrap molasses
2 Tablespoons peanut butter (opt.)

Place diced potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well, transfer to a large bowl, add the molasses and peanut butter, if using, and using a fork or a potato masher, mash until smooth. Set aside to cool to room temp. Divide into 1/4 cup size patties. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. About 12-16 patties. Author figures 4 patties for a 40# dog--But I figure it depends on individual dog (calories) and whether used as a treat or part of a meal!

Note: Sweet potatoes as well as molasses are very nutritional for your dog--Peanut butter is not bad either. This prob. isn't the best for calories if you have an overweight dog---But 1 patty in place of a regular commercial treat and minus the peanut butter shouldn't be that bad!

A variation that I think would be good--if your dog likes cinnamon (Mine does!)--Add a little cinnamon to the recipe--But never add nutmeg as this is a dangerous 'food' for dogs! Cinnamon is also good for the digestion. Sweet Potato Dog Chew -
Vegetarian Alternative to Rawhide

You'll love making this sweet potato dog chew recipe for your dog because sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutrients like Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Potassium, and Iron.

Since it's one of the sweetest of all the vegetables, just like the name implies, you'll have no trouble getting your dog to try this dog treat recipe.

Making your own all natural dog treat is an excellent alternative to rawhide.



Ingredients:

1 Large Sweet Potato, washed & dried

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 250° F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the side of the sweet potato lengthwise. Cutting the side of the potato first allows you to then turn the potato onto this flat surface that you have just created. Having a stable area to rest the potato will make it easier to cut the potato into slices. Don't discard that first piece, it comes out just as yummy as the rest!
Cut the rest of the potato into 1/3" slices, no smaller than 1/4".
Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 3 hours, turning half way through.
Cool completely on a wire rack.

Storing - Although these treats are dried, you will want to keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. You can freeze them for up to 4 months.

Me talking here!---If you have a food dehydrator---Would think that would work also and you wouldn't have to have your oven in use all that time! I have a dehydrater and this works perfectly. I sprinkle cinnamon on the slices after adding them to the trays--My dogs love cinnamon! A word of warning again--NEVER use nutmeg as 'poisonous' to dogs!. I would not use more than 3 trays at a time on my Ronco dehydrater---There may be better dehydraters that you could use 4 trays and it would work better--mine does not have a fan to distribute the heat to speed up the drying time. I try for 1/4" slices too as quicker to dehydrate --easier for dog to crunch too. I let my slices get really crisp before taking off the trays but they prob. would be okay a little leathery but cautious me wants to make sure they are really done. A person could store these in the freezer too if making a lot at once---not necessary if dried thoroughly though. And be sure to let your slices cool to room temp before storing them so that no moisture builds in the bag while cooling. And after you put slices in your airtight zip lock bags--Check to see if any moisture is on inside of bag--If so--They are not dry enough!!! Either redry some more or store in freezer!. This is a simple, easy, nutritious treat that your dog should like!
Will be back here with a couple more--watch this post! My computer is very slow right now but there are a couple more recipes I will bring here!!
Was going to bring a couple more recipes here but my computer is about to quit on me altogether so here is the link to all the recipes in this thread---Youwill prob. see a lot of things here to try anyway: Homemade Treats

[lange]

You're great C/M
I don't have a dehydrator but I should look into getting one down the line. I could make them GOOD jerky, right. I think I will try making some homemade treats once in awhile. I'm sure it'd make them happy. I'll keep checking back.

I bought something called "Better than pig ears". I just gave her one to see what she thought. She decided napping is more interesting than this thing. She's more finicky than Wrigley. I had checked reviews online before buying it. It had gotten GREAT ratings..but you wouldn't know it.

[CorkyMax]

Lol, that picture made me laugh--You weren't kidding! Yeah, after going through that thread again---I should be trying out more recipes--but I do make the dried sweet potato/yam treats all the time--esp. when there is a good sale on the potatoes--They can be a little pricey--usually about 99 cents a lb. here but once in a while about 79 cent and I even found some for 39 cents that the store wanted to get rid of! Although they are always cheaper than if you went out and bought the sweet potato treat in a pkg. already made! It only takes me about 1/2 hr. to prepare for the trays and then you just let the dehydrater do it's job. The only problem I have is that they may be a little fattening--not sure!--Prob. no different though than milk bones,etc. I have an overweight cocker--Max (Paxer).

If you do look into a dehydrator--Prob. a lot of range in prices but I wish mine had the fan! And yes, you could make jerky--any meat would work (use no salt or salty flavorings like tabasco or terioky (very misspelled, lol, I know!--too lazy to look it up!) But I never do the meat as I feed a raw meat diet mostly so would just as soon give raw but would be good for training treats and to take on walks. Don't know if your dogs would like dried apples--mine don't like apples at all--Wish they did as I have an apple tree in my yard. Better to give fresh of course but if you had a surplus of apples--one way to preserve for treats. Bananas are easy to dehydrate but again--my dogs don't like bananas!

[lange]

I'm completely green when it comes to homemade dog treats & raw so I appreciate all your suggestions. I guess it will be trial & error for me & learning what the dogs do & don't like. My parents have pear trees but no apple trees.

You're right, buying treats can get pricey depending on what you get. I treat the most when I'm on my way out, that's why I like to find longer lasting ones. I do a lot of popcorn treating around the house but that's more because we love eating it too. :P