How To Make Dog Treats As An Activity

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Does it ever seem like health department regulations take some fun out of activities involving cooking or baking? While these rules are necessary to help prevent food-borne illness, the gloves and hairnets don’t feel like home. I find this especially true in our memory care unit.

We’ve discovered a few fun cooking activities to get around these regulations. One of our favorites is making dog treats to send home for employees’ pets. While we’ve tried several recipes, this one is always the favorite:

Pumpkin Balls

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 cups old-fashioned oats

Directions:

1. Mix peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and milk until well combined. Gradually add 5 cups oats.
2. Use a cookie scoop to form balls. Roll balls in remaining 1 cup oats.
3. Place in refrigerator until firm.

Note that this recipe contains peanut butter. If you’re concerned about peanut allergens, here’s another favorite recipe:

Doggie Bones

Ingredients:

• • • • • • • • • • 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 6 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup chicken broth

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
2. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. (It’s fun to use cookie cutters shaped like dog bones.)
3. Bake for 35-40 minutes in a 350-degree oven.
4. Allow to cool and store in a sealed container.

We place the treats in sandwich-sized zip lock baggies and leave them in the staff break room. Then anyone can bring home a treat for their pet. A sticker placed on each baggie shows the treats are for dogs only, and we list the ingredients in case a pet has any food intolerances.

Does your dog have a favorite treat recipe that we can share with our residents? Please post them in the comment section.

(You’ll find another fun baking activity in this post about making mug cakes.)