As you’re trying out new recipes you find on the Internet or in cookbooks, remember that not all food that’s good for humans is good for dogs. Some foods can cause allergic reactions, others, if consumed in sufficient quantities, can make dogs sick or even kill them. Foods to avoid giving your dog include chocolate, onions and raisins.

In general you should store dog treats the same way you would homemade cookies for people. Remeber, if your recipe uses meat or liver then it will most likely need to be refrigerated. Bear in mind that your treats may mold or spoil much faster in humid or very hot climates.

Refrigeration will prolong the life of more fragile dog treats. Make sure to store in a tightly sealed container or zip lock bag. You can also freeze most treats in zip lock freezer bags.

Parmesan Snaps Dog Treats
This is a good recipe to use up left over bits of Parmesan cheese. If you are going to buy some just for the recipe just purchase the least expensive domestic cheese.

I N G R E D I E N T S
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1cups Boiling water + 2 teaspoons chicken or beef flavored instant bouillon
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 cups whole wheat flour

For the glaze:
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk

I N S T R U C T I O N S
Preheat your oven to 170 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.

In large bowl, combine rolled oats, cheese and parsley. Mix hot bouillon, oil and milk and stir in. Add enough wheat to form a stiff dough.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Shape the dough into a ball and roll to 1/2-inch (12 mm) thick. Using round or crescent-shaped cookie cutters, cut out treats. Place on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1/4-inch (6 mm) apart. Gather up the scraps, roll out again, and cut additional biscuits.

Bake 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. Sprinkle with LOTS of parmesan cheese.Bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let cool overnight.
Makes about 4 dozen 3-inch (7.5 cm) treats.

Liver Treats
Here is a recipe I like because it is quick, easy, cheap, keeps well, etc. and my dogs LOVE it.

I N G R E D I E N T S
1 lb of any kind of liver, pureed
1 cup of any kind of flour
1 cup of rice meal or wheat
2 Tbsp of minced garlic (optional)
1 Tbsp of oil

I N S T R U C T I O N S
Preheat your oven to 170 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.

Puree the liver and mix in the other ingredients. Spread on a cookie cookie sheet. Bake at 170 degrees for about 25 minutes. Cool and break in pieces. Refrigerate and use within days or divide into bags and freeze.

Stainless steel dog bowls

Traditional stainless steel bowls are economical, durable, long lasting and are great if your dog tends to nibble on her bowl! Look for bowls with a rubber rim that will keep them from tipping and getting nosed around. They are easy to clean and are the easiest to sanitize, which is why they are the choice of many veterinarians.

Ceramic dog bowls

Ceramic bowls are sturdy, come in a wide variety of colors and designs, you can even get them personalized. Often they come in handy sets with treat jars as well. Ceramic bowls and crocks are good for dogs that like to move their bowls around. Since ceramic is the heaviest of materials used for feeding bowls, your dog will eat her food without moving across the floor at the same time. These bowls are very durable and long lasting, unless of course your drop them. Because they are very porous, it is critical that they be cleaned and sanitized daily. It is recommended that a cracked ceramic dish be replaced because it is likely to harbor bacteria in the cracks.

Plastic dog bowls

Plastic and ceramic dog bowls come in an array of colors and often have decorative patterns.
Plastic bowls come in a variety of colors and are lightweight, unbreakable, and economical. Plastic bowls are not for dogs that tend to chew on their bowls, as small fragments of plastic could be chewed off and swallowed.

Raised dog feeders

Raised dog feeders not only feature some really eye-catching designs, they also help in digestion, since your dog stands up straighter to eat. This type is also good for older pets with joint or arthritic problems to dine from.

Travel dog bowls

If you’d like to bring your dog with you when you’re on the go, there are several different types and styles of travel bowls available, from collapsible nylon bowls that are light weight and take up minimal space to portable raised feeders.

Accessories

Placemats

Don’t forget the placemats that go under the dishes, it makes cleanup a little easier.

Food Storage

Finally, when considering bowls for your dog to eat and drink from, don’t forget about a storage container and scoop if your dog eats dry food. Keeping the food in a container with a lid extends the life of the food, reduces the breakdown of vitamins, and maintains freshness.

What should I feed my puppy?

There are a number of important factors to keep in mind before settling on a dog food.
Dry food and raw food are the most popular choices in canine cuisine.

Dry dog food is the most popular choice as the dry texture guarantees easy cleanup in case of spills and small bits of kibble can conveniently be placed in a bowl for the dog to eat during the day. Also they are usually well balanced with protein and other essential ingredients. Make sure to read the labels when shopping for a dry food; like all products, some come with more high quality ingredients than others.

Here are some tips to help with reading labels:
No Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Flavors: Try to avoid buying foods that contain preservatives or other additives because they can be harmful to your dog’s health over time. Steer clear of any foods that contain the phrase: “chemical additives as a source of flavor.”
Type of Meat: The first ingredient listed on the label is the primary ingredient in the food. Foods that has a meat listed first are usually the higher quality foods. Avoid foods that list the main ingredient as “meat by-product.”

Raw dog foods are often claimed to be the healthiest selection for your dog. Most raw dog foods contain all-natural and unprocessed ingredients. Remember, these foods are not all meat, however, the primary product should be. They are balanced with other ingredients for added nutritional values.

Summary:
Determine a price you’re willing & able to pay, find a type of food your dog seems to like, and so long as the stools are solid and your dog experiences no ill effects, then perhaps you’ve found yourself a dog food. Finally, keep in mind that while a dog’s food and overall diet are certainly important, there is much more to a dog’s health and well-being than what your dog eats. Regular exercise and grooming, veterinary care, just a few.

Introducing a new food:
No matter which you choose, introduce it gradually over about a week. Mix in a small amount of the new food with the food your puppy is accustomed to eating. Mix more and more new in with the old each day until you h

ave made a complete transition.

How often should I feed my puppy?

Young puppies should be fed at least three times a day until their food requirements begin to level off as they mature. Feeding schedules can be reduced to twice a day when pups are four to five months old. Fresh water in a clean bowl should be available at all times.
* 2-4 months: 3 meals a day
* 4-6 months: 2-3 three meals a day
* Over 6 months: 2 meals a day

Dry food can be moistened with warm water to encourage food intake. One hour should be allowed for a puppy to eat, after which the uneaten portion should be discarded. Moistened dry food or canned food left at room temperature can become unpalatable and may even spoil if left out for several hours.

Where should I feed my puppy?

Your puppy should be fed in a quiet place away from interruptions and from where you eat.
Establishing routine eating habits by feeding a puppy in the same place and at the same time each day is recommended and can help in housebreaking.

How much should I feed my puppy?

Use the food manufacturer’s guidelines for how much to feed your puppy. But remember that the amount of food offered to a puppy will vary depending upon its size, activity, metabolism, and environment. Puppies should not be allowed to become overweight. If a puppy appears to be gaining too much weight, its food intake should be reduced. If a puppy appears to be too thin and there are no health problems, its food intake should be increased.