It really fries my eggs when I do a search for gluten-free dog food recipes and I find site after site that offers such recipes, yet the ingredients either contain or produce gluten! It could be possible that all those writers don’t know all the foods that should be avoided, but the faulty recipes will not help anyone’s pet. The owner of an allergic pet is responsible for learning what can and can’t be tolerated by the pet, and they need information that’s correct, to do so.

Giving any pet food that it’s allergic to can kill it, or at least, make it suffer horrendously for a long time. Many times a pet goes through a long time on medications before the owners find out what caused the allergy in the first place. Feeding the pet non-allergenic foods can give some relief. It’s not hard to learn what foods to give or keep away, especially if the recipes are truly gluten-free.

Whenever you find a new recipe that claims to be gluten-free, read through the ingredients. Don’t assume that because it says it’s gluten-free that it must be. Gluten can be ‘hidden’ in foods, tricking the pet owner into a false sense of security in the recipe. Another good rule of thumb is this: the fewer ingredients, the better. That way, there’s the least possible number of new potential allergens.

Dogs are carnivores, but more, they’re omnivores. They love all kinds of foods and most of them love people food. A truly gluten-free recipe for people can be given to a gluten-allergic pet. Just watch the carbs and calorie intake and level of exercise.

Recipe for Gluten Free Dog Treats

This recipe is great for a dog’s sweet-tooth!

• ½ cup instant potato flakes (the real 100% potatoes kind)
• 1 tsp. grated ginger
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 beaten egg

If your pet has an egg allergy, just omit it. It’s really just for some protein, but the potato flakes will bind it together nicely.

1.) Preheat oven to 300(f)
2.) Mix the wet ingredients together, then mix the dry ingredients together, then mix them all together.
3.) Knead the dough just until it’s smooth and well blended
4.) Roll out to ¼ inch thick.
5.) Put on a lightly greased baking sheet.
6.) Bake for 45 minutes, then turn oven off and leave them in until it’s cool.

Here’s another totally gluten-free dog treat recipe:

• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 ¾ cups instant potato flakes (100% real, no other ingredients)
• 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
• 1 Tbsp. beef bouillon

1.) Mix all ingredients together
2.) Divide dough into three balls; use one ball at a time
3.) Roll each ball to ¼ inch thick
4.) Cut into bars, squares or use cookie cutter
5.) Bake at 250(f) for 90 minutes.
6.) Cool before serving.

These gluten-free recipes can be changed for variety.

Try adding these gluten-free ingredients.

• ½ cup of any kind of cheese can be added.
• ¼ cup of parsely adds a green flavor and tons of vitamin C.
• ½ cup grated vegetables of almost any kind except corn.
• Carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, beets with the greens, turnips, eggplant, etc.

And don’t forget fruit! Dogs love fruit, too, just don’t give it to them with seeds, as some fruit seeds contain a natural cyanide. Also don’t give them grapes or raisins.

• ½ cup pears, chopped
• ½ cup peaches, chopped
• ½ cup melon

The Enemy - A List of Gluten-Containing Foods

• Wheat (including any kind of flour)
• Barley (most all grains)
• Oats (you can buy gluten-free oats)
• Soy products
• Food starches (cornstarch, wheatstarch, etc.)
• Roux-based soups (made with flour)
• Bouillon cubes
• Roux-based gravy (made with any kind of flour)
• Brown rice syrup
• Sausages
• Malts
• Malt vinegar
• White pepper
• Pastas
• Pickles
• Some curry powders
• Teriyaki sauce
• Rye
• Semolina
• Bulgur
• Wheat Grass
• Gluten is also used as a stabilizing agent in ketchups and some ice creams.

Do your own research. Look for hidden gluten. Good luck and happy baking!