How to Make Peanut Butter Bones for Your Dog

If you want to give your dog healthy treats that he will love, give him some peanut butter bones. These are not only delicious (at least to dogs), they are also healthy, because peanut butter is loaded with many nutrients, including protein, and vitamins E and K. Vitamin E will help to protect your dog’s immune system, while vitamin K will help ensure a shiny, healthy coat. These peanut butter treats are really easy to make, and the recipe only requires a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Peanut Butter Bones

Ingredients

• ½ C warm water
• 1 package of yeast (dry)
• 1 C mashed potatoes (no butter or salt)
• 1 C skimmed milk
• ¼ C molasses (preferably organic)
• ½ C sodium-free chicken stock
• 1 C chunky peanut butter (preferably organic or sugar/salt free)
• 1C whole wheat flour
• ½ C rye flour
• ½ C rice flour
• 1 large egg
• 2 C all-purpose white flour

Make sure that your oven is preheated to 325 degrees. Place the water in a large glass bowl, pour in dry yeast and set aside until the yeast is ready (it will be puffy). Mix the potatoes, milk, molasses, chicken stock and peanut butter in a pot, and heat over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly. After it comes to a boil, remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature. Add dissolved yeast and stir, gradually blending in the egg and whole grain flours. Then, add just enough of the white flour to form a stiff dough. Once the dough is ready, begin kneading it on a smooth surface until it is smooth, and then roll out flat until it is about a half an inch thick. Use cookie cutters to make peanut butter bones or other shapes. Cook in the oven on an ungreased cookie sheet for about 45 minutes, allow to cool overnight to harden, and store in a container.

Treats for Training

Many people use treats when they are training their dogs, and the treats you make with the above recipe are ideal for this. Basically, every time your dog does what you want him to do, you give him a treat. It won’t be long before he associates certain actions with being rewarded, and he will love his peanut butter bones so much that he will be quite excited to do whatever it takes to get them. If you are worried about giving your dog commercially prepared treats, you can easily make your own peanut butter bones, and you will know that your dog is only eating healthy foods with ingredients that come out of your own kitchen.

The Author:

Craig Thornburrow – A writer, small business owner and big fan of dogs.