Two New Truly Gluten-Free Dog Treat Recipes

And a List of Gluten Containing Foods for Allergic Pets

© Sandy McCollum

Nov 11, 2009

It’s really disheartening to do a search for gluten-free dog food and treat recipes because there are so many that still have gluten or gluten-forming ingredients. Maybe those writers aren’t aware of all the foods that can contain or produce gluten, but the faulty recipes aren’t going to be good for anyone’s pet. The owner of an allergic pet has a responsibility to seek out these things to make informed decisions for the pet’s nutrition.

Giving an allergic dog food that it’s allergic to can be a death sentence, or at the very least a long slow suffering period that doesn’t go away. Many times a pet goes through a long time on medications before it’s discovered what the allergen is. It’s not hard to make certain everything that can be done, is being done.

When looking for a recipe for gluten-free dog food or treats, read the recipe and make sure the ingredients truly don’t have gluten in them. Know what gluten-containing foods are and avoid them, no matter what someone else’s recipe may have said. Another good rule of thumb is, the fewer ingredients, the better. That’s the fewer potential allergens being fed to the pet.

Dogs are omnivores and most of them love people food. What is considered people food? The same things as dog food; anything people eat, they like it all. A truly gluten-free recipe for people can be made for a pet, too. Do keep track of portions, because like people, they also will get fat if given too much.

Here's an Easy Recipe for Truly Gluten-Free Dog Treats

• 1 cup gluten-free oats
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 can (or equal amount) of chicken broth
• 1 cup instant potato flakes (the 100% real potatoes with no other ingredients kind)
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/3 cup powdered milk

1. Mix oats, oil and milk.
2. Add chicken broth and mix again.
3. Let it sit for five minutes (so the oats can soak up some liquid) and then add the potatoes and egg. and mix it all together.
4. Roll with rolling pin to a thickness of ¼ inch.
5. Cut into bars, squares or use a cookie cutter.
6. Bake at 250(f) for 90 minutes, or until completely dried and crunchy..

• ½ cup instant potatoes (the 100% real potatoes kind)
• 1 tsp. grated ginger
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp. molasses
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 beaten egg.

If the animal has allergies to eggs, this recipe can be made without it, as the potatoes bind things together in the same way.

1. Mix all wet ingredients.
2. Mix all dry ingredients.
3. Mix it all together.
4. Knead the dough until well blended.
5. Roll out to ¼ inch thick.
6. Cut into bars, squares or use a cookie cutter.
7. Bake at 300(f) for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven and let the cookies sit in there until the oven is cool. They should be completely dried and crunchy.

These gluten-free recipes all can be changed for variety.

• ½ cup of any kind of cheese can be added.
• ¼ cup of parsely adds a green flavor and tons of vitamin C.
• ½ cup grated vegetables of almost any kind except corn.
• Carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, beets with the greens, turnips, eggplant, etc.

And don’t forget fruit! Dogs love fruit, too, just don’t give it to them with seeds, as some fruit seeds contain a natural cyanide. Also don’t give them grapes or raisins.

• ½ cup pears, chopped
• ½ cup peaches, chopped
• ½ cup melon

The Enemy - Foods With Gluten

Here’s a list of foods known to have gluten and it may not be complete; there could be more. Read labels carefully because gluten can be ‘hidden’, or look benign yet still contain gluten. Do your own research, too, don’t just trust something because it says gluten-free.

• Wheat (including any kind of flour)
• Barley (most all grains)
• Oats (you can buy gluten-free oats)
• Soy products
• Food starches (cornstarch, wheatstarch, etc.)
• Roux-based soups (made with flour)
• Bouillon cubes
• Roux-based gravy (made with any kind of flour)
• Brown rice syrup
• Sausages
• Malts
• Malt vinegar
• White pepper
• Pastas
• Pickles
• Some curry powders
• Teriyaki sauce
• Rye
• Semolina
• Bulgur
• Wheat Grass
• Gluten is also used as a stabilizing agent in ketchups and some ice creams.

Again, keep an eye out for all glutens. An allergic pet’s ability to thrive depends on it. Good luck!

The author and her allergic dog

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