Looking for a fun way to spend some inside quality time with your kids and pets? What better way to keep the kids busy and your pets happy is to make homemade pet treats? These treats are healthy and chances are, you have the ingredients right in your kitchen cabinets.
Pup-a-licious
Peanut Butter Treats
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup smooth natural peanut butter
1 cup hot water or 1 cup skim milk
1 egg
Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Mix flour and baking powder in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix peanut butter, egg and hot water or skim milk until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix well. (Add a bit more water or milk if the dough is too dry; flour if it’s too wet).
Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut with bone-shaped (or any other shaped) cookie cutters. Bake for 18 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool and refrigerate in an airtight container.
The Kong
For those long days alone, dogs can enjoy a Kong filled with “boredom buster treats.” A Kong is a nontoxic, dishwasher-safe rubber toy with a hollow center. When stuffed with food, it provides dogs with a healthy outlet for their natural desire to chew and lick.
The toys come in many sizes, and will keep your pup entertained for hours. Try these simple recipes.
The Cheesy Elvis: Combine a ripe banana, 3 spoonfuls of peanut butter, and a slice of cheese. Mix until blended well. Fill the toy and freeze.
Gooey Cheerios: Combine Cheerios and peanut butter. Freeze.
Mac ’N Cheese: Melt leftover macaroni and cheese in microwave until gooey. Add to toy. Pour one small cube of heated cheese into the toy. Make sure it has cooled before giving to your pet.
Peanut Butter Glue: Fill stuffed dog toy one-third full of dog food. Pour in melted peanut butter (after it has cooled from microwaving). Add more dog food, followed by more melted peanut butter, until the toy is full. Freeze until solid.
Philly Steak scraps: Have 1 ounce cream cheese on hand. Place small scraps of the steak inside toy. Spread cream cheese in large hole to hold scraps.
Rock-Hard Kibble: Combine some of your dog’s regular food with cream cheese, which acts as a cement, keeping everything inside. Let the tail wagging begin.
Wishing you all a Beautiful Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!!! Please check out the Central Aroostook Humane Society Facebook page for pets available for adoption. Call or message the shelter for an appointment to stop by.
Please be responsible, and spay and neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the board of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
