Get baking for your pets!

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Everyone enjoys a tea time treat every now and then and in honour of the Great British Bake Off final the RSPCA is encouraging pet owners to make tails across Britain wag by whipping up some tasty titbits for their pets.

Britain’s biggest animal welfare charity is urging budding Paul Howl-lywoods and Mary Berrys to get into the baking spirit and use their culinary skills to whip up some training treats for their furry friends.

Treats can form an important part of reward-based training where the dog is rewarded using food for performing a desired behaviour.

Using food, especially food that is tasty, is a very effective way of training and is enjoyable for dogs and can also help dogs and their owner form close bonds.

Dog welfare expert at the RSPCA Companion Animals Department Dr Sam Gaines said: “Whether your pet prefers a traditional bake like finalist Nancy, a picture perfect sweet treat like Richard or an elaborate masterpiece like Luis there are all kinds of titbits you can conjure up in the kitchen for them.

“Reward-based methods are both humane and effective and are those which the RSPCA recommends and advocates. Other training methods can put dog welfare at risk and the safety of their owner (see www.dogwelfarecampaign.org).

“Just like humans, dogs need everything in moderation too so as long as owners remember to take any treats out of their pet’s daily food allowance, treats can be a great way for them to train their animals.

“It is important to remember this as overfeeding can lead to obesity which can cause serious health and welfare concerns. It is very important that pet owners carefully monitor the amount of food they give their pet each day as well as regularly checking their pet’s weight and condition, see http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/obesity for more information .”

The RSPCA has now launched it’s own range of kitchenware and baking utensils just for animal lovers. Please visit http://shop.rspca.org.uk/gifts/kitchen/aprons-tea-towels-oven-gloves.html to see the full range.

Honey and Banana dog biscuits

 (makes about 45 biscuits) 

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

250 ml water

1 banana, mashed

1 tablespoon of honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

600g whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder


Directions:


      Preheat oven to 180 degrees C

      Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets

      Combine water, mashed bananas, honey, vanilla, and egg in a large bowl

      Stir in whole-wheat flour and baking powder

      Beat dough with an electric mixer on medium speed for a couple of minutes until ingredients are thoroughly combined

      Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until no longer sticky, 5 to 8 minutes

      Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into mini shapes with your favorite cookie cutter (bone shaped is always pretty popular!)

      Place dough shapes on prepared baking sheets

      Bake in preheated oven until cookies are lightly browned, about 20 minutes

      Turn off the oven and leave biscuits until thoroughly dry and crisp, 30 to 40 more minutes

      Remove baking sheets from oven and allow biscuits to cool on pans for 10 minutes

      Transfer cookies to wire rack to fully cool

Always make sure your treats are safe and suitable for your pet and check with your vet for any allergies your pet may have beforehand.


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