Okay, here is my sharing about how I made local dog treats:
So I’ve been wanting to make some homemade treats for my furry friend for a while now. You know, something special, not just the usual store-bought stuff. I figured, why not try making some local dog treats? I mean, I love supporting local businesses, and I bet my dog would appreciate some fresh, homemade goodies too.
First, I did a little digging around to see what kind of ingredients I could use. I found out that beef jerky is a big hit with dogs, so that was definitely going on the list. Then I stumbled upon this local dog bakery, Belly Rubs Biscuit Bar & Spa in Ashburn, Virginia. It’s a bit of a drive, but I thought it would be worth it to check out their selection. They had everything – dog cakes, cupcakes, jerky, you name it. I grabbed a few things to get some inspiration, and also picked up some treats for my pup because, well, I couldn’t resist.
Next, I needed to find a good recipe. I saw that some people use bananas in their dog treats, which sounded interesting. I also came across a bunch of recommendations for picky eaters. Apparently, there are dogs out there who are just as picky as humans! I found some recipes with air-dried dog food toppers, which seemed like a good way to add some extra flavor and nutrition.
Making the Treats
After gathering all my ingredients and ideas, it was time to get baking.
- I started with the beef jerky. I sliced some lean beef into thin strips and marinated it in a dog-friendly marinade (no onions or garlic, of course!).
- Then, I laid the strips out on my dehydrator trays and let them dry for several hours until they were nice and chewy.
- While the jerky was drying, I whipped up a simple banana treat recipe. I mashed up some ripe bananas, mixed them with some oat flour and a little bit of peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free!), and rolled out the dough.
- I used some cute bone-shaped cookie cutters to make the treats, and then baked them in the oven until they were golden brown.
The whole house smelled amazing while everything was cooking. My dog was going crazy, sniffing around the kitchen and giving me those puppy-dog eyes. He knew something good was happening.
The Taste Test
Once the treats were cooled, it was time for the moment of truth – the taste test! I gave my dog a piece of the beef jerky first, and he gobbled it down in seconds. I think it’s safe to say he approved! Then, I offered him one of the banana treats. He sniffed it cautiously at first (he can be a bit picky sometimes), but then he took a bite and his tail started wagging like crazy. Success!
I’m so glad I decided to make these local dog treats. It was a fun little project, and it felt good to know that I was giving my dog something healthy and delicious. Plus, it’s always nice to support local businesses whenever possible. I’ll definitely be making these again, and maybe next time I’ll try some other recipes too. There are so many options out there, I’m excited to experiment and see what my furry friend likes best. Maybe I’ll even try some of those air-dried food toppers I saw. Who knows, maybe I’ll even start my own little dog treat business someday!
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