According to both holidayinsights.com and nationaltoday.com, February 23rd is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. I have no idea why we need a day for that, let alone an international day for that, but you know what? It’s the end of February, the winter blues are well set in, let’s roll with it.
According to an article from the New York Times (I can only assume it was a slow news day), dog biscuits were invented in 1860, when “an Ohio electrician named James Spratt journeyed to London to sell lightning rods. After watching quayside mongrels feasting on hardtack, the dry biscuit that fed sailors on long voyages, Spratt set about making a biscuit for dogs that could serve as their primary food.
“Spratt’s Patent Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes were a mix of grains, beetroot, vegetables and ‘the dried unsalted gelatinous parts of Prairie Beef,’ as the company explained in an early advertisement.”
These days, dog biscuits and treats come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and flavors. Anything that Fido could possibly want (in moderation of course) and are often the basis of training our furry friends!
Let’s be honest, any holiday worth celebrating is worth celebrating well, so, what can we do to celebrate International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?
Doggie play date
Call, text, email, or tweet your friends and have them join you for a doggie play date. Have each of your friends brings their dog’s favorite biscuit, then create little goodie bags containing one of each. It’s like a Christmas Cookie Exchange — but in February — and with dog treats…
Dog biscuits and adoptions
As a special gift, donate a bountiful amount of dog biscuits to one of our local SPCAs that can be given to the new pet parents and their newly adopted furry family member. Also, be sure to check out their wish lists, to see what else they may be in need of!
Host a dog biscuit decorating party
Get festive, get messy, get decorative! Invite some friends, buy plain dog biscuits, grab dog-safe decorating icing, and let your creativity flow. Reward the best decorated and then let your dogs enjoy!
If you are feeling extra, try your hand at making your own dog biscuits/treats. I even have a recipe for you to try! These treats are an easy dog biscuit recipe that your fur baby would request every week if they could.
Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
Ingredients:
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour see note below for substitutions
• 1 egg
• 1 cup peanut butter (Be sure the PB doesn’t contain Xylitol.)
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey
For the Frosting
• 1/3 cup cornstarch – can also use potato starch or arrowroot powder
• 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 3-4 tablespoons hot water
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F.
In a large bowl combine flour and the egg. Add peanut butter, water, honey and stir until you have stiff dough. the dough becomes very firm and sticky. You may need to use your hands, or the paddle attachment on your mixer.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/2 inch thick and use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes. the treats barely spread and rise, so get creative with your shapes.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden. Once done, set aside to cool. (If you have smaller cookies, use less time, otherwise the bottom might burn.)
To make frosting, combine the peanut butter and honey in a microwavable bowl, and heat in the microwave in 15 second increments, stirring in between, until melted.
Add melted peanut butter mixture to cornstarch and stir until just combined.
Slowly add in water 1 Tablespoon at a time until you have reached the consistency that you would like. For a thinner frosting, add more water.
Add frosting to a piping bag and pipe designs on top of each dog treat.
Frost treats with the peanut butter/honey mixture for an even more tempting cookie.
Store in an airtight container or give as gifts!
I hope you all enjoy International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day! If nothing else give your furbaby an extra treat and call it a day!
