Read an Excerpt

Loafin’ Dog Mutt Loaf

A definite four–paws–up favorite—and we’re not kitten!

• Makes 8 mini mutt loaves
 
They might be Chihuahua–size loaves, but they pack a Great Dane-size flavor. Versatile and tasty, use them as a protein–packed meal or snack–and no need to wash the plate…it’ll be licked clean. This will have your dog grinning from ear to ear. Ears to you, kid!

 
1 pound ground chicken
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

 
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a shallow baking pan with nonstick vegetable spray.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with your hands. Shape the mixture into eight 2 x 30–inch mini loaves. Space the loaves evenly on the baking pan.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until fully cooked (155°F on an instant-read thermometer.)

Cool completely before serving.

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

 
Salivatin’ Serving Suggestion: Ground turkey may be substituted for the chicken.


Yappetizers

A dog can express more with his tail
in minutes than his owner can express
with his tongue in hours.
—Unknown

There must be a thousand and one reasons to whip up a tray of yappetizers, the little snacks intended to whet the appetite (as if our dogs need more motivation for that to happen!). Any time dogs are gathered together is a doggone good opportunity to have a few snacks around, or even when your dog is home alone with you and you just want a change of pace from your usual treat. Some occasions just cry out for a special snack: first visit to the vet's office, obedience school graduation, welcome home from the kennel (what better way to apologize?), the birthday party for the dog next door, congratulations on the nine new puppies—when you think of it, what occasion isn’t a good excuse for a fresh-baked snack?

The following yappetizer recipes are meant to arffer inspiration for those occasions when love—and fur—is in the air.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen Savory Scones

The ideal snack for British breeds and dogs who like to hightail it to high tea.
 
• Makes 12 hairistocratic scones
 
There’s nothing like high tea at London's famous Battersea Dogs’ Home—the pup and circumstance, the plummy accents (“I say, old boy, fetch me one of those rawhide sticks, would you? There's a good chap…”)--and the mad-dog rush for the savory scones that makes American football look like a…well, like a tea party!

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup grated light cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons skim milk

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet with nonstick vegetable spray.

Stir together the flour and baking powder in a large bowl. Pour the olive oil into the flour mixture and stir until thoroughly blended. Stir in the cheese and chicken. Add 1/2 cup milk to make a soft dough.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to 3/4–inch thickness. Cut into 2–inch rounds with a cookie cutter or glass and place on the baking sheet. Brush each biscuit with the remaining milk and bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese bits begin to bubble and lightly brown.

Cool to room temperature before serving.

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. (Thaw before serving.)

Teatime!

An infusion tea made from rosemary and lemon makes a soothing coat tonic and herbal conditioner. The rosemary produces a wonderful fragrance and promotes a shiny coat, and the lemon adds fragrance and helps repel parasites.

• Bring to a boil 1 quart water. Remove from heat and add 2 teaspoons dried rosemary and 1/2 lemon. Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

• Let the tea cool completely to room temperature, then strain.

• After your dog’s bath, pour the tea gently over her entire coat.

• Towel dry.

Zippity Zucchini Terrier Tortes

Dogs love vegetables—they’d eat healthy if we’d help them do it!
 
• Makes 12 terrierific tortes 

After catching a few z’s yourself, these are the perfect way to add some zest and flavor to your dog’s afternoon. Fresh shredded zucchini provides natural moistness and texture to these simple cakes—a detail that’s sure to be sniffed out by your little zipper!

You Make Me Feel Bran New

A light sprinkling of wheat bran on your dog’s regular daily food will help to increase her fiber intake as she ages.

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup honey
1 cup skim milk
2 large eggs
1 cup shredded zucchini

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 12–cup muffin pan with nonstick vegetable spray.

Stir together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, honey, milk, and 1/2 cup water until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and then the zucchini. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.

Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Cool to room temperature before serving.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. (Thaw before serving.)

Fiber and Fido

Fiber plays an important role in your dog's diet. Fiber absorbs water and helps move things along in the intestines. However, make sure your dog's food doesn’t contain more fiber than necessary. Ask your vet the optimal amount of fiber your dog’s diet should contain. Some common sources of fiber found in many commercial dog foods include beet pulp, rice bran, peanut hulls, and cellulose.

Mighty Mites

If your dog shakes her head, paws at her ears, rubs the side of her face against furniture or carpeting, but doesn’t show signs of infection (inflamed, swollen, tender, oozing) in her ears, it may be mites. Look for dark debris or grit inside ears. Keep her ears clean and dry to help prevent mites from burrowing into her ears.

Say "Cheese!" Tail Chasers

Yum—these taste so gouda! An “it’s–all–about–me” treat for dogs who like to strut their stuff for the puparazzi—or the cat next door.

• Makes 12 tail chasers 

Gossip columnists in the world of canine celebrities constantly hound us for tempting tidbits or mouthwatering morsels. These muffins are often just
the dish they're looking for.

Open Wide

Did you know that to get a serious visit–to–the–dentist’s–office kind of teeth cleaning, a dog must be anesthetized completely?

1 cup all–purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 large egg
1/2 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup grated light cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 12–cup muffin pan with nonstick vegetable spray.

Stir together the flours and baking powder in a large bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil, and honey with 1 cup of water until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Gently fold in the cheese.

Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Cool to room temperature before serving.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. (Thaw before serving.)

It’s Crunch Time

If your dog's teeth continue to be in good shape, keep feeding dry, crunchy kibble. It helps teeth, gums, and mouth tissue to stay healthy, reduces tartar buildup, and helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Are You Smilin’ at Me?!

It can be hard not to smile when you see a pooch, but grinning at a dog you don't know can be hazardous to your health. Dogs can interpret baring your teeth as a sign of aggression toward them and respond accordingly. Same thing goes for staring directly into a dog's eyes.