Help kids make homemade dog treats in your kitchen

Kids and pets go hand in hand around most homes these days. According to the Pet Food Institute, more than half of U.S. homes include a pet. It’s no wonder we love our pets so much. They reduce recovery time when we are faced with illness, they help reduce stress and they promote healthy family bonding.

You can do things around the house that are both fun for kids and benefit the pets in your life that are so much a part of your family. Try making homemade dog treats with these simple recipes. Your kids will enjoy mixing and measuring and cutting out the dough with cookie cutters. The dogs will enjoy a homemade snack that is healthy.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 cups milk, room temperature

1 tablespoon molasses

1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup chicken broth

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Position rack in center of oven. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, and baking powder. In a medium bowl whisk milk, molasses, and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in broth.

Combine the two mixes, blending until a soft dough ball forms. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out as many cookies as you can, reworking the scraps as you go.

Place the cookies on the sheet pans and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Edges should be dry and golden brown. Remove from oven and cool at room temperature. Turn off the oven.

After the cookies have cooled, put all the cookies on one sheet pan and put back in your oven. Leave them without opening overnight or about 8 hours. This will remove any remaining moisture.

Parmesan Herb Treats

1 1/2 tablespoons dry yeast

1 cup cracked wheat

1/2 cup rye flour

1 cup wheat flour

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 cup powdered milk

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup rice flour

2 tablespoons parsley

2 cups chicken broth

For the Glaze and herbs. Gradually blend in the flours and cracked wheat. Add enough wheat flour to form stiff dough. Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball and roll to 1/2 inch thick. Cut out treats in desired shapes.

Place on ungreased baking sheets about 1/4 inch apart. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes. Remove from oven.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk for the glaze. Brush the biscuits with glaze, turn and brush other side. Bake for another 30 minutes.

There are some ingredients in large amounts that can be deadly to your pet. Sometimes those ingredients may be called for in very small “flavoring” quantities. If you see any of these ingredients in a recipe you’d like to use, then you should consult with your veterinarian to see if the recipe is appropriate for your pet, leave the ingredient out, or select another recipe. Garlic, onion and raisins are some potentially harmful ingredients.