Fido's Rewards

Store-bought dog treats can be full of mystery ingredients, but these homemade biscuits are made from things you can actually pronounce: whole wheat flour, powdered milk, egg, and margarine. Simple, wholesome, and your dog won’t care that they look a little rustic.

The dough needs to be very stiff. Adding the flour half a cup at a time lets you control the consistency, and you may need a bit more or less depending on your flour. Three to four minutes of kneading develops just enough gluten structure to hold the biscuits together without making them tough (not that your dog will complain about texture).

Baking at a lower temperature for a longer time dries the biscuits out slowly, which is exactly what you want. The goal is a hard, crunchy treat that helps clean teeth, not a soft cookie. Letting them cool completely on the baking sheet after the oven finishes the drying process.

Pro Tips

• Use meat juices or broth instead of plain water for extra flavor that will get tails wagging harder.
• Roll the dough to an even ½ inch thickness for consistent baking. Thinner spots will burn before thicker ones dry out.
• Use a bone-shaped cookie cutter for the classic look, or just cut into squares if you don’t have one.
• Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or freeze for longer storage.

Variations

• Peanut butter version: Add two tablespoons of unsalted, xylitol-free peanut butter to the dough for an irresistible flavor boost.
• Pumpkin treats: Replace the water with canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling) for added fiber and flavor dogs love.