Dog Treats Made With Cream of Wheat

Creating homemade dog treats is a fun way to provide healthy and tasty treats for your favorite pooch. By making them yourself, you control the ingredients and know exactly what your dog is eating. You can adjust basic recipes to include your dog’s favorite flavors and provide variety. Most ingredients, such as Cream of Wheat, may already be in your kitchen.

Cream of Wheat is an enriched farina made from ground wheat. When mixed with boiling water or hot milk, it makes a delicious breakfast cereal. When added into dog treat recipes, it provides a source of calcium and fiber. When used in recipes, you do not need to cook it first and can simply add it in powder form. Cream of Wheat is safe for dogs unless they suffer from a wheat allergy. In that case, you can substitute Cream of Rice instead.

A basic and tasty dog treat recipe using Cream of Wheat includes three basic ingredients. To begin with, you need a wet ingredient. For this, choose 15 ounces of pureed pumpkin or assorted baby foods. Your dry ingredients are 3/4 cup Cream of Wheat and 1/2 cup dry powdered milk. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Using a spoon, drop bite-sized amounts of the dough onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 300-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and let cool. Store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one week or freeze for six months. Allow frozen treats to thaw for 30 minutes before feeding.

With the basic recipe, you are able to get creative and find the flavors that your dog really enjoys. In place of the pumpkin or baby food, consider pureed cooked chicken or beef, pureed cooked vegetables such as carrots or sweet potatoes, or unsweetened applesauce. For added texture, only use half of the amount of Cream of Wheat and use rolled oats for the other half.

Before adding new foods or treats to your dog’s diet, consult a veterinarian or canine nutritionist. While Cream of Wheat is safe for most dogs, those with wheat allergies should avoid eating it. Food allergy symptoms include itchy skin, upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhea. While these treats are healthy, they are just treats. Serve in moderation.