Bacon and Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe

by Amy Tokic

Published: January 22nd, 2016

When all else fails… BACON!

Let’s get one thing straight – I know that bacon isn’t an everyday food. As a bacon connoisseur, I limit my pork intake to a couple times a year, on special occasions… or when I’m stopping at a greasy diner and I just got to get my nom nom on! The same goes for Oscar. He’s a lover of bacon, but I rarely add this delectable tidbit into his bowl. He gets it as a treat – or even better, as a Bacon and Pumpkin Dog Treat! This dog cookie has a little sizzle and a lot of taste. With pumpkin puree and peanut butter thrown into the mix, it’s like a 5-course breakfast packed into convenient treat form.

Bacon and Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe

Makes 30 cookies

Ingredients:

2 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup rye flour

3 strips bacon

½ cup pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

¼ cup broth or water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Fry bacon to desired crispiness. Remove from frying pan and place in between 2 paper towels. Dab off excess grease and allow bacon to cool.
In large bowl, add flours, pumpkin puree, peanut butter and turmeric.
When bacon as cooled, crumble into small pieces and add to the mix in the bowl. Mix until all ingredients until combined. Add broth or water as needed.
On a floured surface, roll dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheets.
Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Remove from oven and place on cooling racks for 4-5 hours to harden.
Store in refrigerator or freezer in an air-tight container.

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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Do you dream of travelling the world with your best friend by your side, but your dog turns into a nervous wreck every time you approach the car? If so, you’re not alone! Many dogs experience car anxiety to some degree, ranging from those who are slightly unsure of the vehicle to those who experience severe levels of stress. Luckily, there are options to manage your dog’s anxiety and even prevent it from happening in the future. In this article, we’ll explore various ways to improve your dog’s relationship with the car, from gradual desensitization to the use of calming treats and other products to make your next road trip easier for everyone! Is Driving Stressful for Dogs? Whether your dog finds car rides to be stressful will vary from dog to dog. Many pups are excited by simply hearing the phrase “car ride” and love sharing that experience with their human family members. However, for some dogs, the idea of getting into a vehicle instantly triggers feelings of stress and anxiety. As dog parents, the best thing we can do is pay careful attention to our dog's nonverbal communication and body language. Although dogs may not be able to speak English, they do a pretty good job of communicating how they are feeling if we know how to listen. How Do I Know if My Dog is Scared in the Car? Interpreting your dog’s body language often involves noting several different behaviors, as fear and anxiety can easily mimic excitement in many ways. For example, fearful dogs may whine when approaching a vehicle because they are afraid of getting into the car. However, approaching the same way with an excited dog may trigger a whine as they anticipate the fun ahead. Other aspects of their behavior, like their stance (standing tall and confident versus hunched low to the ground with their tail tucked), can help you better translate what your dog is trying to tell you.Some of the common signs that a dog is feeling afraid or anxious include: Excessive panting or yawning Licking the lips Whale eyes (showing the whites of the eyes)Large, dilated pupilsEars pressed forward or back against the headCowering or attempting to hideTail tucked between the legs or up and stuffShaking or tremblingSubmissive urinationStaring intently at the trigger Displacement behaviors like sneezing or itchingRefusal to take treats (even if they are typically food-driven)The most important thing to remember is that every dog is different. Your dog may display any combination of the symptoms listed above. No one knows your dog better than you. Trust your gut if you feel that something is off, even if it doesn’t fit the stereotypical fear response.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Frostbite?

Cold weather affects our pets even more than it does us – dogs are much more sensitive to harsh weather elements and can be especially affected by the freezing winter cold. Depending on their size and the thickness of their coat, dogs can be more or less endangered when the scales go way down below zero, and for some dogs, going out in subzero temperatures can be quite risky. So much so, that they can even get frostbite. While frostbite in dogs can range from mild to severe, it’s a condition you can’t ignore – you need to know how to quickly spot signs of frostbite in dogs and make sure to provide first aid ASAP to prevent any permanent damage. How Do I Know If My Dog Has Frostbite?Exposing your dog to extremely cold temperatures is always risky. While there are certain breeds, like  huskies, who are adapted to extreme weather conditions, dogs are generally not ideally suited for freezing temperatures and as such are at risk of getting frostbite. Frostbite is a result of skin and tissues freezing, and it usually affects the most exposed parts of the dog’s body, like the paws, ears, nose, and tail. However, it can’t always be easy to spot frostbite in the earliest stages – usually, pet owners realize they’re dealing with frostbite when the damage is already done. Try and keep an eye out for the following symptoms if your pet has been out in the cold:Swelling:When frostbite sets in, the affected area will often swell. This happens when the top layers of the skin and tissue become gradually frozen. Likewise, the swollen area could feel firm or hard to the touch.Coldness:The areas that are frostbitten will feel much colder to the touch than the rest of the body. This can be the first and the most obvious sign of frostbite.Skin Ulcers and Blisters:These nasty growths can appear when frostbite has really taken hold of an affected part. As the frostbitten flesh begins to thaw, it also blisters. Limping:When your dog limps in cold weather, it can be the first indication that something is wrong. This is usually due to the soft tissue on the paws being exposed to freezing ground. Discolored Skin:Another tell-tale sign of frostbite is the discoloration of the skin on the affected area. The main cause of this is the reduced blood flow to the area. The skin in this case will appear gray, pale, or bluish.  It goes without saying that frostbite is very dangerous. If you suspect it in your dog, please seek the help of a veterinarian at once. It is paramount that you leave professionals to take care of your pet, rather than to attempt to fix the situation on your own. Things like hot water, direct heat, and other attempts to reheat the flesh quickly will only lead to more damage. Also, keep in mind that the signs of frostbite can take several days to appear. This is mostly true for small areas of flesh being affected, such as the tip of the tail, or the ears. 

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