Nothing Says Lovin’ Like Homemade…For Your Dog

Awww…We all love our puppies, but with our lives so crazy busy and the need to establish routines, is your dog in a rut? You get the kids ready for school, make breakfast, feed the dog, fly out the door, pick up the kids, make dinner, let the dog out, get ready for tomorrow, then fall into bed and repeat. Booor-ing. We all need a break from our routines, so how about shakin’ things up a bit for Rover too? We’ve found some easy ideas that will remind your “best friend” how special he/she is to you…

Homemade Fleece Tug Toy

Dogs will be dogs and they love to play, but the cost of dog toys these days is nuts! Use up your left-over fleece (remember those no-sew knotted blankets you were going to make?) and whip up a few of these tug toys. For step-by-step instructions, go to My Dog’s Life

Photo: My Dog’s Life

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Homemade treats allow you to use ingredients that contain less fat than store bought snacks, and fewer chemicals. Your dog likes a variety in food just like you do, so making your own let’s you change things up a bit and have more control over what Fido’s eating puts in his mouth. We found this recipe at Decor and the Dog

Photo: Decor and the Dog

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup Old Fashioned oats
• 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons applesauce

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Place the dough onto a piece of wax paper and then add another sheet on top. Roll the dough out so that it is about a 1/4 –1/2 inch thick. Remove the top layer of wax paper and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Use a spatula to help remove your shapes to a cookie sheet for baking. Continue reforming and rolling the dough until it is all used. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool and serve.

 Homemade No-Sew Dog Bed

We all need our own special place to unwind, think about our day, dream about tomorrow. Dexter needs one too! Make this cute little dog bed using two standard size bed pillows and a yard of fleece. Gather the below supplies, then go to Curbly for full instructions.

Photo: Curbly

Supplies:

• 1 yard of fleece
• 2 standard bed pillows (2.99 each at a local superstore)
• scissors
• ruler, chalk
• fabric paint, stencils and sponge brush

Homemade Sweet Potato Chew Toy

This will keep Jake busy for hours! For step-by-step instructions, go to Instructables.Their website says this “Indestructible” dog toy can be made in one hour using rope and a sweet potato!

Photo: Instructables

Homemade Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

Oatmeal will combat Penelope’s itchy skin, and help eliminate her ‘dog smell’. The rosemary will help give her coat a healthy shine and make her smell nice!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole natural oats
• 4 cup of warm water
• 1 tsp Castile or other gentle soap or oil
• 1 TBSP fresh rosemary (optional)
• 1/4 cup baking soda (optional)

Directions:

Place all the items into a blender and blend until smooth. Place blended mixture in a mason jar and store in the refrigerator. (it doesn’t store well in a soap dispenser or regular shampoo bottle). When ready to bathe your dog, wet your dog’s coat with warm water, pour on oatmeal dog wash and rub into the coat. Let it sit on the dog’s skin for a few minutes, if possible. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Homemade Healthy Dog Food

According to Dog Training Central “Commercial dog foods contain soy, corn, and wheat – all common allergens for dogs”. When you make your own, the general consensus is that the recipe should contain about 50% protein, 25% vegetables, and 25% grain. Bowser will think he’s died and gone to heaven when you mix this in with his Kibbles!

Recipe adapted from All Recipes by SheKnows

Serves five

Photo: SheKnows

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups brown or enriched white rice, cooked
• 2 cups water
• 1-1/2 cups steamed chicken, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1-1/2 tablespoons egg powder
• 1 cup cooked vegetables (broccoli, carrots, potatoes, green beans), finely chopped

Directions: 

1. Mix rice, chicken, rosemary, egg powder and vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add water, 1/2 cup at a time, until mixture is moist, but not sitting in water. You want it to be wet enough so it’s easy for your pet to digest.
2. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Do you pamper your dogs with any homemade treats? We’d love for you to share your ideas with our readers in the comment section below. Thanks for sharing!

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