Only Whole Wheat Flour?

by Katherine
(Nepean, Ontario, Canada)

First, thanks so much for allowing us to have a free subscription to your site. As a person on a small disability pension, but with 2 fabulous children (my doggies of course!), having this access allows me to give them special treats that I can't otherwise afford to purchase from regular stores, and allows me access to a wealth of information for my babies. Thank you so much for that - are you aware at how much we appreciate the work you've put into this site?

Question: Recipes for canines seem to always call for whole wheat flour, and I'm wondering why? I'm always wondering about the ones that have garlic powder in them - I've read that garlic is bad for canines, or is that just garlic cloves?

Thanks again.

Chef's Answer ~ Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it. :)

The reason why the recipes on this site typically call for whole wheat flour is that is in healthier than all-purpose white flour, and readily available at most markets. For most dog treats you can substitute other types of flours if they cost less or if your babies need a wheat or gluten free alternative. The only difficulty you may encounter is when making dog cakes or muffins that need a delicate texture. Otherwise you can substitute it on a one for one ratio.

Garlic is a controversial ingredient. Since it is related to the onion, and onions are on the list of foods poisonous to dogs, people believe that it is unhealthy. However a very small amount has shown to be valuable and nutritious. But, that is a decision you will need to make on your own. As far as making dog treats is concerned, you can always omit garlic powder or crushed garlic and still achieve a wonderful end product. If you are going to add garlic, make sure you are not adding garlic salt as this contains too much salt and other spices that your dog will not benefit from.

I hope this has helped answer your questions. And, I'm so glad I've impacted your life, and your dog's life for the better!

Happy Dog Treat Baking! :)