- March 28, 2024
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DEAR PAWS CORNER: I'm suspicious of store-brand pet treats, as I think they're filled with additives and just not healthy for my two dogs. But I'm not exactly wealthy, either, so I can't buy gourmet treats. Can I make them myself? – Gerry S., via email
DEAR GERRY: There are recipe books available that will enable you to make food and treats for your dogs at home. I can't say that the food you make for your dogs will cost less than store-bought food. But you'll know exactly what your dogs are eating, because you selected and prepared the ingredients yourself.
Prepping food and treats for your dog from a recipe book developed just for dogs can be very helpful for owners who aren't sure what dogs can and can't safely eat. For example, feeding a dog table scraps can be problematic if the food is higher in fat than they're used to, or contains large amounts of onion or garlic, which can cause serious problems for a dog.
There are several books to choose from these days, which is a vast improvement over several years ago. A quick search on Amazon will bring up hundreds of results. It's good to see that one of the first dog-treat books to cross my desk, the "You Bake 'Em Dog Biscuits Cookbook" by Janine Adams, still ranks high on the list.
If the time involved in preparing your dogs' food becomes daunting, there are increasingly other sources for pet food and treat cropping up. In particular, organic dog treats can be found at health-food stores, in farmers' markets, at veterinarians' offices or can be ordered online.
Send your questions or tips to [email protected]. (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.