I have read that dogs like variety in their diets, and giving them a combination of dry food, wet food, and occasionally healthy “people” food is the way to ensure that they’re getting all the nutrients they need. This is not my area of expertise, but I do know that our dogs love this beef stew recipe whenever I make it. I started making jerky treats for them at home also, after reading about contaminated dog jerky coming from China. That turned out to be even more popular with the boys, and it’s much less expensive than commercial brands – not to mention safe. Here are two of my favorite dog recipes, if you have a hankering to spoil your pup a little.
Beef Stew for Dogs
Serves: 2 meals for two medium sized, or one large and one small dog
Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound of stew meat
- 4 strips of bacon, chopped into small pieces
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1 vegetable or beef bouillon cube
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Directions
- Microwave the sweet potato (after pricking the flesh to allow air to escape through the holes) for 5 minutes.
- Saute the stew meat and bacon in the oil until meat is browned.
- Remove meat from pan and add sweet potato and carrots.
- Heat mixture to medium high heat. Mix cornstarch and bouillon cube in cup of water into cup of water and whisk until lumps are removed.
- As mixture begins to bubble, stir in cornstarch and water to thicken into a nice gravy.
- Add carrots and meat and allow to cook until carrots are cooked through – about 7 minutes. Cool completely before serving. Store in refrigerator.
Chicken Jerky and Sweet Potato Jerky For Dogs
Serves: makes about a dozen treats of each
Prep time: 10 minutes, plus 3 hours in oven
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 large sweet potato
- Sprinkle of salt
Directions
- Remove any fat from chicken and slice into ¼-inch thick pieces.
- Peel sweet potato and slice into ¼-inch thick pieces.
- Lay chicken and sweet potatoes on a Silpat-covered baking sheet, not allowing them to overlap. Salt lightly.
- Place in a 200 degree oven for 1 and ½ hours.
- Remove from oven and turn chicken and sweet potatoes over, returning to over for another hour and a half.
- Both chicken and sweet potato should be thoroughly dry.
- Allow to cool, then store in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
