After learning that my Westie Rose had several allergies, it had me checking all of her dry dog food, and goodies for the forbidden ingredients. She ended up being allergic to some of the most common ingredient in dry pet food, ingredients such as, beef, rice, corn, flax, milk, soy, white potato, and corn. As you can see from this list, it was not going to be easy to find a food that would be void of these popular ingredients. I had my work cut out for me?



It took a bit of work, and research to find a dry food Rose could eat, without aggravating her allergies. I finely found a dry dog food that would suit Rose's dietary needs.

The dog food is a fish and sweet potato formula made by California Choice. She loves it, and it is void of all the additives she is allergic to.

I wasn't having as much luck finding goodies that Rose would not turn her nose up at... Yes Rose is a bit spoiled, as you most likely have realized by now? Well---I found a Doggie Bakery that could develop a custom treat for Rose. After the baker quoted a price per pound for these personalized treats, I decided quickly that this was not an affordable option for Rose's dilemma.

I got to thinking; Rose loves people cookies, and begs with good vigor whenever one is in her vicinity. Perhaps I could whip up a wonderful, healthy treat for her myself.

I wanted to make a treat that would be not only healthy, but tasty. It also needed to be hard and crunchy. The consistencies that Rose was accustomed to, and would help keep her teeth clean. It didn't take but a moment before one cookie came to mind, Biscotti! Yes Biscotti, let's face it a stale Biscotti is so hard it could well be considered in the same class as a dog biscuit.

I developed the recipe with care. Adding ingredients that would provide Rose with not only a wonderful tasting treat, but would supply her with all the daily nutrients, protein, fiber, and vitamins she required, to sustain good dog health. After some lengthy research I came up with the major food ingredients I wanted to include in the Biscotti. Each ingredient was chosen not only to provide great taste, but also to provide good nutrition. Below is the recipe for my special healthy Dog Biscotti, I hope your dog enjoys this taste treat!

Rose's Banana Biscotti

4 cups flour

1 cup oatmeal (ground fine)

1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil

1 egg

1 1/2 cup pureed banana

3 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/3 cups well chopped peanuts

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons vanilla

You may need small amount of water.

Preheat oven to 325. Add all dry ingredients to large bowl, form a well with dry ingredients. Blend oil, banana, and egg with blender or food processor. Add a bit into well, start to incorporate wet with dry ingredients. Adding a small amount until all is mixed. Ay this time you may have to add a small amount of water. Add 1 teaspoon at a time. Knead with your hands until you have a soft none sticky dough.

Form dough into a log, approximately 2 inches wide by 2 ? inches high. Now flatten the log, until it is approximately 6 inches wide and 1 inch high.

Place log into a non-stick baking sheet that has been lightly greased. Place in oven, bake for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven, cool for 10 minutes. With a sharp knife cut across the log in ? inch pieces. (If your dog is a small breed cut Biscotti once more in the middle, making two cookies, instead of the larger 1 cookie).

Place all cookies back on baking sheet, bake at 325 for 20 minutes. Let the Biscotti air cool for 2 hours. Store some in an air tight container, freeze some for future needs.

Rose's Biscotti are packed full of nutrients, fiber, protein, Vitamins, and Carbohydrates, along with Omega 6 fatty acids and loads of trace elements.

Last but not least, Rose loves her nightly treat...