Just wondering if there is a comparable book for cats.
:-)
Beth
Eco Dog: A Book Review
Looking for some fun, affordable and ecologically friendly projects and product recipes for your favorite furry canine? This book will likely have what you need.
Written by Corbett Marshall and Jim Deskevich, this Chronicle Books title is printed on sustainably harvested paper with vegetable based inks. The fun brown paper bag style cover with full color decals sets the tone for a title that will get the kids excited about pet responsibility too. (Go ahead, tell me you haven’t been there.)
Loaded with recipes, checklists and diagrammed directions for various DIY projects, this book is loaded with ideas and resources on such topics as grooming, play, homemade dog food and first aid. What’s more, nearly every suggestion takes frugality into account. Recycled felted sweaters patch-worked into a travel blanket, used blue jeans being turned into a creative stuffed dog bed, homemade herbal flea powder stored in a thrift store salt shaker, and ideas for turning those mate-less socks into a variety of charming stuffed creatures for your furry friends to play with. There are even directions and tips for beginners to start implementing basic canine massage at home.
Dying for an inside peek? Here’s a simple two-ingredient recipe for baked dog treats that don’t require a rolling pin and a cookie cutter:
- 1 cup organic wheat germ
- 2 small jars of organic baby food (you can also puree your own veggies or meat)
Mix up the two ingredients and preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a baking sheet and roll mixture into one inch balls. Place individual spheres on baking sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake for 25-30 minutes and cool on a wire rack. Variations include add 1 tbsp of pureed garlic for added flea control or 2 tbsp flaxseed meal for a shiny coat. Pretty simple, huh?
I haven’t enjoyed a DIY book this much in a long time. Personal verdict? Worth the read.
Best of Wise Bread
You know what? I did not see one. However, it seems to me there was at least one resource in the list at the back of the book that applied to cats as well. Let me go snag it off the shelf and see. Hold on . . .
Bummer! No. It was not an online ideas resource. It was a product resource rather than a DIY. Sorry.
I'll keep an eye out. If it looks like one is going to be released, I'll request a review copy and give you all a heads up. It really is a precious book with ideas that are right up my alley and VERY budget oriented. A couple of the tote bag and toy ideas had me so bummed that my sewing machine is in storage.
I'm all over the two ingredient, no cookie cutter needed dog treats though. ALL over them. I've been dying to make them some special treats, but have not had the time for a full blown rolled out and cut biscuit event.
I've always been told, read, etc. that garlic is poisonous to dogs and cats (along with onions and all other plants in the lily family.) Apparently it can cause severe anemia.
I would ask your family vet if it's okay before adding garlic to homemade treats.
Other then that the recipe looks great! I plan on trying it, but making them smaller since we have a chihuahua/terrier mix.
You know, I'd always heard good things about it. However, with all the health issues our oldest one already has . . . I'm definitely taking your advice and checking first.
Info note: the garlic was suggested in the book, and the forward was written by a vet. But I'm sure that as with human physicians, differing opinions abound.
Thanks for book review - hadn't heard of this one. will be whipping up some treats for my boy - too easy.
My vet recommends adding garlic to my homemade dog food.
Hi y'all!
I tried the recipe above yesterday. Super easy and the dogs are DIGGING them! FYI the small jars of baby food are 4 ounces each. I filled my fluid measuring cup with 4 ounces of water and it filled four ice cube tray sections. So, if you are making them with your own puree, and using the ice cube tray savings method listed above, you would need 8 thawed cubes.
Also, I used a turkey vegetable dinner selection from the organic baby food section. I figured I'd go with a tried and true meat that I know they like first. Next, I'm going to try apple sauce to see if that works. Pretty cheap in bulk, I use it to cut down on fat anyway, and there's no need to pre-puree. If that's not enough pizazz for the pups, I might try adding a little peanut butter.
In the meantime though, a meat oriented baby food and a little extra flax seed with the wheat germ . . . HUGE hit with the hounds in this house. I'd be interested in any of the experiences you all have.
I made the dog treats with the wheat germ, a little flax, and sweet potato baby food.
I made them smaller (marble sized) and baked them for 20 mins.
Our little pup loves them! You should have seen that tail wag!
Thanks for the great recipe!
Glad it worked out, Charise.
I was wondering how it would work with a non-meat baby food. Good to hear it can be appealing to our furry friends.
See the ASPCA Poison Control website for clear information on onions and garlic or any other questions you might have about safety. (www.aspca.org)
