Dog treat business spotlight

Thinking about starting a dog treat business?

Want to expand on your hobby of making homemade dog treats?

Can't decide on a good name?

Would you like to see how others are packaging dog treats? 

Just need a little inspiration or motivation?

Dog treat business spotlight

Follow the link to MarketingDogTreats.com where we post interviews with independent dog treat business owners from our dog bakery community.

As of this date, you can read about:

• The Gourmet Greyhound
• Baron & Henry's Homemade Dog Treats
• The Pawtastic Barkery

We have many more exciting stories coming!

Who knows? Maybe you will be next.

Cupcakes for dogs: Pumpkin Pie!

Cupcakes for dogs do not have to be boring! 

Try a pumpkin pie recipe. Decorate with cream cheese frosting for a big dog party hit like these yummy dog cupcakes made by Denise Trujillo in the Facebook group "Homemade Dog Treats".

Cupcakes for dogs

Recipe for Pumpkin Cupcakes for Dogs

What you need:

• Basic dog cake recipe 

Then add to it:

• 1/3 cup fresh or canned pumpkin (do not use pumpkin pie filling)
• 1/3 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg

Directions:

• Add the pumpkin and cinnamon into the mix. Stir until well-mixed by hand.
• Fold in the mini marshmallows.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick or fork stuck in the center comes out clean.

See the full recipe and a video at this link: Pumpkin Dog Treats

Easter Dog Treats

Fun Easter Dog Treats are featured in this post, just to show you some of the cute and creative ideas bouncing around in the Facebook group
"Homemade Dog Treats". 

These cute Easter bunnies for dogs are made by Esther Niederbichler:

Easter dog treats by Esther Niederbichler

These cute little birds and bunnies dog treats are made by Viv Clements:

Easter dog treats made by Viv Clements

The Black Pearl Bakery offers these:

Easter dog treats from the Black Pearl Bakery

Hopefully these wonderful ideas will inspire you if you plan on making your own! Visit me on Pinterest for more great dog treats!

Homemade Dog Treats For Dog Rescue

House of Love ARF. Isn't that a wonderful name for a dog rescue group? Founded in 2012, this organization helps to rehabilitate abused dogs and cats and retrain them if necessary for a better home situation than they came from.

To help accomplish her mission, founder Ruth Bednar sells homemade dog treats for a fundraising idea. We are glad to have her as a member in our Facebook group, Homemade Dog Treats.

Some of the treats made by the House of Love, ARF:

Homemade dog treats for dog rescue

The all natural dog treats in the photo include:

• Sweet potato chews
• Peanut butter hearts
• Peanut butter banana parsley hard dog biscuits
• Peanut butter banana soft dog treats

What does ARF stand for? You will have to visit the rescue through the link above to find out!

Small dog treats

Do you have a Yorkie? Or a Chihuahua? Those cuties need their own small dog treats because the regular size treats are almost their size!

Take a look at these colorful little treats for dogs made by the dog treat business Maggie Says Yum Homemade Dog Treats:

Small dog treats

This type of detailed decorating takes patience...and this bakery has it.

Each little dog treat is just the perfect size for a little dog. These make perfect Easter dog treats or to celebrate a dog birthday in the spring, especially the little flower designs.

Each flower is decorated with Fido's Frosting brand Royal Icing for Dogs dog treat icing.

Go click Maggie's link, like it on Facebook, and place an order for your little furkids now!

Gluten Free Dog Treats Recipe

Gluten free dog treats are very popular! We offer another of the easy dog treat recipes that our bakers in the Facebook group Homemade Dog Treats are excited about. This gluten free and wheat free dog treat recipe is offered by Cristina's Dog Treats based in Tillamook, Oregon.

This photo shows Nanqu, the dog bakery's expert taste tester, presiding over a basket of just-baked Cheesy Pawz. These turn out as soft dog treats.

Gluten free dog treats

Cheesy Pawz

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup tapioca
• 1 cup grated cheese
• 1 tablespoon flax seed meal
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups garbanzo bean flour

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Grate cheese (can be done in a food processor)
• Mix the water and the flax seed together.
• Mix in the cheese
• Let the mixture sit for a little bit
• Mix in the tapioca flour
• Slowly add in the garbanzo bean flour
• Knead into a dough
• Roll out 1/4 inch thick
• Cut with cookie cutters into desired shapes
• Bake for 15 minutes
• Yields 16 dog biscuits as seen in the photo

Cristina (and Nanqu) note: Tillamook Smoked Cheddar Cheese provides a pleasing aroma and flavor. Working with cheese while it is cold makes it easier to create a nice consistency.

They also want you to know that arrowroot can be used for tapioca flour. Potato flour can be substituted, but it may make the dog treats a little bit sticky.

By the way, Nanqu says he would love for you to visit him on Facebook. 

Soft Dog Treats

Do you have an older dog or a dog who can't crunch? These soft dog treats are the perfect solution.

You can whip up this simple dog treat recipe in about 30 minutes. Just looking at the photo - don't you want to try one right now? 

These Honey and Cinnamon Squares were baked by Viv Clements from the UK.

Soft dog treats

What you need:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 egg

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Mix the ingredients together to form a dough
• Roll out the dough but not too thin
• Cut into squares with a square cookie cutter
• Bake for 15 minutes

All we ask is that you please let your dog have most of them. (The bakers in the Facebook group Homemade Dog Treats have admitted to baking these for themselves...)

Fruit Dog Biscuits

Make homemade fruit dog biscuits and your kitchen will smell fresh and inviting!

This recipe is for those dogs that enjoy citrus flavors. These fruit dog treats were baked by Cristina's Dog Treats, a dog bakery based in Tillamook, Oregon.

Fruit dog biscuits from Cristina's Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup oatmeal 
• 2 cups flour or rice
• 1 orange zested and juiced
• 1 lemon zested and juiced

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Zest the orange and the lemon
• Microwave for 10 seconds to help release the juice
• Mix all the ingredients together to form a dough
• Knead the dough and roll out
• Cut shapes as desired
• Bake in oven for 15 minutes

The recipe asks you to "zest". Just what does that mean?

As Cristina explains, "You take the fruit peels and scrape the very top. Do not use any of the white part of the peel." The white part, or "pith", tastes bitter which is why you do not want to include any in the dough!

There is a baking tool called a zester made just for this very instruction and makes it easy. Move the zester all across the peel in a horizontal direction.

Join the Facebook group "Homemade Dog Treats" and learn about baking for your pooch! 

All Natural Fudge For Dogs

Chocolate for dogs for Valentine's Day?

Sure looks like chocolate fudge from the photo. In fact, Christina Chase, the baker, said that she took some samples into her office and a co-worker tasted a treat and remarked that it was too chocolatey!

Christina said that as long as her dogs enjoyed it, that was all that mattered. (They asked for more.)

All natural carob "fudge" for dogs

Of course these homemade dog treats are not made using real chocolate. Chocolate's chemical structure is toxic to dogs and it should not be given to them in any amounts. Carob is used by doggie chefs to create the look of chocolate. Some people also find that ti them, it tastes similar to chocolate....or better.

Now your dog is not going to turn down one of these tasty morsels because it doesn't taste like chocolate. But sometimes you have to please the human dog owners first. One lady told me she will not let her dog eat anything that she doesn't like herself. 

Carob is an all natural product - it is a legume that grows on a carob tree. Some people think it tastes similar to chocolate. It does not have the 

dog-toxic caffeine properties of chocolate.

All Natural Doggie Fudge
(Recipe by "Andea", adapted from "Jeanne Marie Martin")

What you need:

• 1 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup carob powder
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Greased baking pan (e.g. brownie pan)

Directions:

• Stir the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over medium heat until softened.
• Remove the mixture from the heat.
• Add in the remaining ingredients and mix together well.
• Press the mixture into the greased baking pan. 
• Let it cool. 
• Cut into small squares.
• Decorate with red quinoa for a Valentine's touch

More Valentine Treats For Dogs

Valentine treats for dogs that look better than the ones you can find for your own friends? LOL. These apple cinnamon mini donuts and heart shaped dog cookies fit the bill!

Julie's Dog Treats created these tasty, mouth-watering creations. She showed off the photo to the Facebook group Homemade Dog Treats and everyone was asking for a bite! (Yes, the humans...)

Valentine treats for dogs

The brown donuts are decorated with carob dog treat icing from K9Cakery's

Fido's Frosting. The pink donuts and treats are decorated using Fido's Frosting brand Royal Icing for Dogs. Powdered beets were used to create the gorgeous pink color. 

Valentines Treats For Dogs

Looking for inspiration for Valentines treats for dogs? Take a look at these beautiful and creative homemade dog treats. Some are decorated with dog treat frosting. Jennifer Coble was busy baking these for her dog and his doggy friends:

Valentine Treats for Dogs

From top left to right:

1) Coconut hearts with Fido's Frosting carob flavor

2) Oatmeal blueberry "kisses"

3) Oatmeal peanut butter dog treats with Fido's Frosting peanut butter flavor

4) Oatmeal blueberry snowflakes decorated with Fido's Frosting - no color added to look like snow!

5) Sweet breath lips

6) Oatmeal blueberry dog treats - the I's are decorated with carob Fido's Frosting, the hearts are decorated with peanut butter flavored Fido's Frosting, and the U's are decorated with regular Fido's Frosting.

7) Coconut hearts with carob Fido's Frosting for decoration

8) Oatmeal cranberry muffins for dogs

You do not have to be a professional baker. Go whip up a batch of Valentine cookies for your dog now! As you can see in the photo above, there are many wonderful cookie cutter options to use for this holiday.

If you would like some help or ideas for making dog treats, please join us in the Facebook group "Homemade Dog Treats".

Valentine Treats For Dogs!

Love your dog? Make sure you remember him or her on Valentine's Day, with yummy dog treats like these Valentine treats for dogs made by 
Thefive DogBarkery based in London.

Valentine treats for dogs

Dog bakeries are gearing up for this holiday just like other bakeries! Your dog will appreciate the special treat even though he likely will have no idea why people are acting so mushy and lovey-dovey. 

It is thoughtful and fun for us humans to give decorated dog treats like these as holiday gifts to the dog lovers (and dogs) we care about. 

You can make your own homemade dog treats for Valentine's Day using a heart shaped cookie cutter or a bone shaped cookie cutter. Try this easy 

dog biscuit recipe. 

To decorate, use Fido's Frosting brand Royal Icing for Dogs colored with red, pink and blue powdered icing coloring. To get the interesting marbling effect, lay down a thin coat of one color, then put a few small drops of a second color over it. Take a toothpick and drag the toothpick through the colors.

Click this link to see more "heartfelt" ideas for Valentine treats: Lovecakes for dogs - also baked by Thefive Dog Barkery. A list of available hues of red and pink icing colors is provided.

Healthy Dog Treat Recipes: Vegetable Dog Treats

Looking for healthy dog treat recipes? Try this one for vegetable dog treats that also has healthy fruits added. You can call them fruit dog treats as well!

Lazy Bones Pet Treats calls these homemade dog treats: "Fruit and Veggie Bars With Blueberries". 

This recipe uses all natural ingredients and has no preservatives. Be sure to let the dogs eat the treats within several days because as you probably know, fruits and vegetables do not keep! 

Vegetable Dog Treats by
Lazy Bone Pet Treats

Dog treat ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat
• 1 cup oats
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 shredded carrot
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1/2 cup plain pumpkin
• Blueberries or cranberries for color

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly grease a baking pan.
• Mix the ingredients together to form a dough.
• Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick.
• Press the dough into the baking sheet. Make it even with squared edges as much as possible.
• Bake 20 - 25 minutes.
• Let cool completely.
• Cut into sticks.
• Store veggie and fruit bars in the refrigerator. Eat within a few days. There are no preservatives so the ingredients will not keep.

Made with human grade ingredients, so have one (or several...) yourself!

Great Balls of Bacon! Bacon Grease Dog Treats

What to do with that leftover bacon grease...

Make bacon grease dog treats!

Use it to add flavor to homemade dog treats. These bacon balls were created by Lazy Bones Pet Treats. Owner Anna Lyle told us that she just made these treats and her dogs went berserk! So, because her own dogs were definitely a biased consumer group, she offered some to the neighbor dogs and they are still standing at the fence barking for more.

Bacon grease dog treats by Lazy Bones Pet Treats

Now some of you may be thinking that bacon grease is unhealthy. Dog owners do this, especially in the winter months, to help their dog's dry skin and coats. 

Dogs do not develop heart disease from high cholesterol in the same manner that humans do. Schnauzers have a genetic predisposition to increased levels of fat in the blood (known as hyperlipidemia), but other breeds are not that susceptible.

If your dog has other health issues or is overweight, you should rethink his diet. But for a healthy dog, an occasional dog treat is fine. You should always check with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

The red colored homemade dog treats above are decorated with the all natural dog treat icing, K9Cakery Royal Icing for Dogs, and the others are coated with peanut butter.

Dog treat ingredients:

• 5 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 10 tablespoons bacon fat. 
• Honey if desired
• Shredded cheese if desired
• Fido's Frosting brand Royal Icing for Dogs

It is recommended to drain the bacon fat through cheesecloth. If you do not have cheesecloth, a coffee filter will work, but will drain slower.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 
• Combine all the above ingredients.
• Roll the dough into little balls and press dough into a mini muffin pan. 
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes. 
• Do not overcook or the dough will harden.
• Let cool completely.
• Decorate by drizzling Fido's Frosting brand Royal Icing for Dogs over the bacon balls.

This recipe yields quite a bit! Cut the ingredient amounts in half if you do not want to make a lot of bacon balls.

Gluten Free Treats For Dogs

Here's another one of our easy dog treat recipes for gluten free treats for dogs! This dog treat recipe comes from Zelda's K-9 Treats & Things, LLC, located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Gluten free treats for dogs
Courtesy Zelda's K-9 Treats & Things, LLC

Gluten Free Rosemary Cheddar Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tablespoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cup gluten free oat flour
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon xanthum gum

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit 
• Line a baking pan with either parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Add all ingredients together and mix well in a large bowl
• Knead dough into ball
• Roll out on a floured surface to approximately 1/4 inch thick (Note: it is important to keep the dough moist to prevent crumbling in the next step)
• Cut out shapes with desired cookie cutters
• Place on prepared baking sheet 
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned
• Cool and refrigerate

Makes 2 dozen round gluten free dog treats.

If you prefer to order fresh homemade dog treats, please let us know! 

Making Dog Treats

Want to learn about making dog treats? You are invited for dog treat recipes, business tips, networking, making new friends who share your interests, and more! Click "Homemade Dog Treats Facebook Group" now to become a member! It's free and carries no obligations.

Making homemade dog treats is always a fun activity! Plus...you are guaranteed that someone will enjoy everything you bake!

Making dog treats

The "Homemade Dog Treats Facebook Group" was started in August, 2012, as a networking and gathering place for those who share the passion or the interest of baking for dogs. As of this post we have over 200 members from around the world, and more join every day. 

The group is moderated by Frosting Fran from K9Cakery.com, and an expert crafter, Theresa The Scrapbooking Queen. But don't let the group name dissuade you. You do not have to make dog treats at home to join! We also share craft making ideas and how to make cat treats too! 

We share dog treat recipes, information about dog nutrition, craft ideas, dog treat business tips for beginners and those already in the business, strategy for marketing dog treats, pricing, selling and more. The group is comprised of those starting out in business, veteran business people, expert cake decorators, people who have never decorated before, and others who are just curious. 

If you need motivation, you will definitely find it here. If you need interesting recipe ideas, you will definitely find them here. If you want to "meet" like-minded people who do not think that baking dog treats and cakes for dogs is strange behavior, this is the right place to be.

All you have to do is request an invite by clicking the red link above. We hope you will join us!

If you would prefer to stay in touch but not be in a group, simply sign up to follow this blog. I regularly post easy dog treat recipes, photos, and other interesting information that comes from the group with due credit given. 

Fund Raising Ideas for Dog Rescue Groups

Are you looking for new fund raising ideas for dog rescue groups? Have you thought about making homemade dog treats and selling them for donations?

Not only are dog treats easy to make, but the entire process is fun. Kids especially love to be involved with dog crafts like this. They enjoy decorating the treats and they know they are helping out with a worthy cause.

Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue -
Fund Raising Ideas

These beautiful dog treats are made for the Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue. All you need is a good recipe for a dough that has dog-safe ingredients, and some dog-themed cookie cutters. Or, use one of the new silicone baking molds for less effort. Just press the biscuit dough into the wells and bake! No need to cut out shapes because the molds will turn out biscuits with fine detail.

All natural Fido's Frosting brand yogurt Royal Icing for Dogs was used to finish these. It takes color well as you can see. Edible glitter and dog bone sprinkles complemented these treats as well.

Sell an assorted plate of various shapes or pack up dog treat bags and tie them with a colorful dog themed ribbon for a beautiful display. You can make up labels with your dog rescue group's name and contact information and stick these onto the treat bags. 

Dog lovers will not hesitate to buy the treats to help with the rescue efforts, especially when they look as enticing as these. They know that they are contributing to an important undertaking. Advertise the treats as being "handmade with love". Use all natural ingredients and you can even correctly state that they are healthier than Girl Scout cookies! How could pet lovers refuse?

Dog Christmas Cookies Decorated With Royal Icing

Don't forget the pooches at Christmas! 

Take a look at these beautiful dog Christmas cookies decorated with royal icing made by Lazy Bones Pet Treats, a dog bakery based in Kansas City, Missouri. Fido's Frosting Royal Icing for Dogs takes color well and creates vibrant Christmas dog treats! 

Christmas dog treats made by
Lazy Bones Pet Treats

Colored sesame seeds complete the all natural decoration. Buy the colored sesame seeds or with a little bit of effort, color them yourself. Use then just as you would sprinkles or jimmies on other treats for dogs to keep the sugar content at a minimum. 

More Christmas treats for dogs from
Lazy Bone Pet Treats

Fido's Frosting royal icing is perfect for flooding an area with color as seen in the stars and the bell above. Or just drizzle green and red dog treat icing for an interesting "painted" effect, as seen in the image below.

Dog Christmas cookies with drizzled dog treat
icing from Lazy Bones Pet Treats

Come join us in Homemade Dog Treats on Facebook and get more ideas for making and decorating your own dog treats.

Gingerbread Dog Treats

Remember the dog with gingerbread dog treats! 

Gingerbread men are a Christmas holiday favorite. The spicy aroma suggests winter holiday time! So why not include the dog too? Their heightened sense of smell will not let you get away with baking gingerbread men and not giving them a taste. 

Tammie's Homemade Pet Treats makes these gingerbread Christmas dog treats and finishes them with Fido's Frosting brand Royal Icing for Dogs.  

Gingerbread dog treats decorated with Fido's Frosting  
Royal Icing for dogs by Tammie's Homemade Pet Treats

Gingerbread treats are typically made with ginger and molasses or honey instead of sugar. Make them as a biscuit or a loaf cake. Ginger is used to alleviate nausea associated with motion sickness in humans and reportedly has similar effects in dogs. Honey and molasses are used frequently in recipes for dog treats as well. If you have any concerns about feeding your dog these foods, please talk to your vet before doing so.

Ginger root, molasses, and honey are natural ingredients.

Gingerbread biscuit recipes for dogs can be found around the internet. Beware of recipes that list nutmeg and garlic as ingredients for dog biscuits. These are two ingredients that can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. 

Very simply, to make your own gingerbread homemade dog treats, add the following to your regular biscuit dough:

• 1/2 teaspoon ginger 
• 1/2 cup molasses 

Remember, dog treats are not a substitute for a meal. Even though your dog will beg for more, do not give in!

Bad Breath Biscuits For Dogs Who Eat Poop

Bad breath biscuits for dogs can help your four-legged friend give more enjoyable kisses.

Dogs are not the most discriminating eaters. Unlike humans, who may choose not to order a hamburger with the onions or forego the garlic sauce when in close proximity to others, dogs do not care who they might offend with their breath.

Bad breath biscuits for dogs from The Black Pearl Bakery

You may have seen your dog or another one eat a pile of waste. Why do dogs eat poop? There could be various reasons why. One reason is just that he wants to. Nothing more complicated than that. Some dogs eat the poop from a more dominant dog.  Then, there are other behavioral reasons that could explain it. 

An unpleasant result of eating such an awful snack could be an upset stomach, or flatulence. 

Whatever the reason, the end result is BAD BREATH! Unfortunately, if you give your dog mouthwash, he is more likely to drink it than gargle. A better solution is to give him charcoal dog biscuits to calm his stomach. 

Activated charcoal helps to absorb bacteria from a dog's stomach and control the flatulence and upset. It is sold as a dog food product referred to as charcoal biscuits. The charcoal comes from coconut shells, wood, bamboo and olive pits. 

Make your own homemade dog treats using powdered activated charcoal. 

Powdered activated charcoal

Just add several tablespoons of culinary grade activated charcoal to a dog biscuit recipe. Roll out the dough and wash it with water before placing into the oven to bake the charcoal biscuits.

Note: Activated charcoal, or activated carbon, is processed in a special way and is NOT the same as the charcoal found in charcoal briquettes used for barbecues.

Join us in Homemade Dog Treats on Facebook to learn to make dog treats.