If you want to make dog treats, you’ll need a few things to get started. First, buy some new baking sheets. You want baking sheets that have a professional nonstick finish. If you don’t want to buy new baking sheets, line your baking sheets with parchment paper, lightly grease the baking sheets, or add more flour to the bottom of the dough before placing it on the sheet.

You should buy some dog cookie cutters. It’s fun to make dog treats with your kids and have them cut the dough into random treat shapes. Purchase some airtight containers to store the dog’s treats. Most treats will need to remain refrigerated, so look for a container that is specifically used for the dog’s treats.

Many dog ​​treat recipes can be found online or in dog treat cookbooks. Find all the necessary ingredients from the cookbook and determine what food supplies you have in your house. Check with the ASPCA (animal poison control hotline) about foods that can cause allergic reactions in dogs. Some foods cannot pass through your dog’s digestive system and could make them sick or die from excessive consumption. Your dog should never be given the following foods:

• Turkey
• Pig
• Chocolate
• Onions
• Salt
• Soy
• processed sugar
• Spicy ready meals

If eaten in large amounts, grapes and raisins can become toxic to dogs. If grapes and raisins are consumed, your dog will have vomiting, diarrhea, and even kidney failure. Watch for signs of a toxic reaction if your dog consumes grapes or raisins.

Garlic is another food that needs to be regulated when it comes to its consumption by dogs. Garlic contains the same toxins as onions, but in a lower concentration. Small amounts of garlic are typically mixed into large batches of large breed treats. If you’re making dog treats for a smaller dog, consider omitting the garlic.

Corn is another problem for many dogs. If you find a treat recipe that calls for corn, use rice flour instead. Some dogs are allergic to wheat, so you can even try substituting rice flour. Before you start making treats, check with your vet first to make sure he’s okay. Some dogs are on a special diet and homemade dog treats are not recommended.

Now that you know all the facts and have the baking sheets, it’s time to start cooking.

peanut butter bones

Ingredients:

• 1 packet dry yeast
• 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rye flour
• 1/2 cup of rice flour
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose white flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, milk, molasses, chicken broth, and peanut butter. Heat the mixture on the stove, stirring frequently until it boils. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool. Once the mixture reaches room temperature, add the yeast to the mixture. Slowly mix the egg, wheat, rye and rice flowers. Add enough white flour to form a stiff dough.

Lightly flour the cutting board and transfer the mixture to the cutting board. Knead the mixture until smooth and shape it into a ball. Roll it out to a ½-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out the cookies. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing ¼-inch apart. Bake for 45 minutes and let cool overnight. The recipe yields 3 to 4 dozen bones that can freeze well.