Some pets will eat anything – even things you’d rather they didn’t – while others have more refined tastes. You want to feed your pets healthy options, but everyone deserves a treat now and then. If store bought treats just don’t cut it, show your love for your dog or cat with one of these homemade options. Not only will you have a warm and inviting kitchen on a dreary day, you’ll impress your friends with your ingenuity!

Bad Breath Banishers (they’re gluten-free!)

2 cups brown rice flour
1 Tablespoon activated charcoal (find this at drugstores, not the briquets!)
3 Tablespoons canola oil
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2/3 cup lowfat milk

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour and charcoal. Add all the other ingredients.Drop teaspoonfulls on oiled sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake 15-20 minutes. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.
Everyone deserves a birthday treat!

Party Pupcakes

1 large apple
1 1/2 cups wheat flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey 2 eggs
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

For the Frosting
8 oz Neufchatel Cheese (lowfat cream cheese)
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
2-3 tablespoons flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 ° F (200 ° C). Grease muffin tins.

Core, slice and mince the apple (use a food processor if you have one). Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, baking powder, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, blend together the yogurt, water, oil, honey, and eggs, then stir in the apple and cheese. Add to the flour mixture and stir until mixed.

Spoon into the muffin tins, filling each cup about three-quarters full. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let rest in the muffin tins for a few minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.

For the frosting, combine the Neufchatel cheese (at room temperature), honey, and yogurt until smooth. Add enough flour to thicken the frosting to a good spreading consistency. Frost the pupcakes and you’re ready for a doggone good party!

Makes 16-18 pupcakes. If you prefer a single-layer cake, spoon the batter into a sheet pan and bake for an extra 15-20 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean). Let the cake cool, then frost and decorate.

Cat Crackers

6 ounces of undrained tuna
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/3 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Measure all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into treat sized pieces. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Let cool. Give to your cat and watch them gobble it up.

Cheese Treats au Naturel

¾ cup shredded or grated cheddar cheese
¾ cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup sour cream or yogurt (plain)
¼ cup cornmeal
5 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese

While your oven is preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, combine all the ingredients into dough (add a touch of water if needed). Knead the dough into a ball and then roll it out to ¼ inch. Cut into one-inch pieces and bake for 25 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

So, though our dog walking and pet sitting services don’t specifically cover baking, our errand service and pet goods delivery could certainly include tracking down homemade dog biscuits in Portland, and if your pet sitter also bakes dog cookies, so much the better!