Before deciding on a particular recipe, review the ingredients and consider what you know your dog likes and what she can tolerate. If your dog loves cheese, consider starting with the Chopped Spinach and Cheddar Cheese Biscuits or the Swiss Cheese on Rye Biscuits. Dogs that must refrain from eating wheat, corn, and gluten can be offered any of these biscuits. Even if your dog seems to be able to stomach anything, introduce a new food slowly in small amounts, checking to make sure it agrees with her digestive system.

Unlike their human counterparts, dogs are very forgiving. Perhaps the biscuits aren't cut perfectly or the stew looks like gruel, but if it smells right, your dog will happily taste your culinary endeavors. You will be able to enjoy the satisfaction that comes from preparing a meal for your loved ones.

On Baking Biscuits

Baking biscuits for your dog is perhaps the easiest place to begin. All the recipes start with a base of flour and fat, with the addition of fruit, vegetables, and/or meats. Baking rolled biscuits is a fun family activity, and the advantage of baking dog biscuits is that you never have to worry about overworking the dough. The trick is to form a dough that has a nice smooth consistency. If it's too sticky or too stiff, the problem is easily remedied by adding a pinch of flour or a bit more liquid. As you continue to bake, you will begin to get the “feel” of the dough and know the right proportions instinctively.

Rolling dough may seem intimidating at first, but all you need to do is roll it to an even thickness. To cut shapes more easily, dip a cookie cutter in flour and gently tap off the extra flour. This will help the biscuits separate from the cookie cutter and the surrounding dough. If you're getting the family involved or want to experiment with different shapes, keep in mind it's best for everyone to work with the same size cookie cutter so that the baking time is consistent for all the biscuits on a cookie sheet.

If you are fortunate enough to have a convection oven, the oven's ability to maintain the correct temperature and constantly circulate the heat will fully dry your biscuits. This is important because moisture is the culprit behind moldy biscuits. Adding too much fat will cause biscuits to go rancid, and improper storage will cause the biscuits to go stale. These facts are mentioned not to alarm or discourage you, but to explain why a homemade dog biscuit may not be the same texture or consistency as commercially baked biscuits. If stored in a tin and eaten in a timely manner, your dog will have the pleasure of eating healthy and flavorful biscuits.

On Baking Cakes

If you are planning your dog's birthday party and want to bake him a cake, you can create a simple, fun, and healthy cake with just a little planning. Sugar and salt are not required, nor should they even be included when preparing cake batter for a dog. The addition of cooked meats or chopped vegetables may not agree with your palate, but it will please your four-legged guests. Portions should be kept small and preferably served outdoors to avoid a mess on your floors or rugs. Feeding all the guests their cake at the same time makes a great photo opportunity if you can catch them all with their heads down, gobbling up your confection!

If you bake some biscuits in assorted shapes, you can arrange them on top of the icing as decorations. Whether the biscuits spell your dog's name or are cut in the shape of flowers, stars, or varying sized circles, the important thing is to remember that a home-baked cake contains ingredients that are dog friendly. Your dog and her friends will be very forgiving if the cake is lopsided or suffers from other aesthetic imperfections. Their main concern is the taste, and your main concern should be the ingredients.

There are many “gourmet” and designer biscuits and cakes available that emulate human-style desserts, from cannolis to iced cookies to doughnuts. Many of these products are made with a yogurt product that actually contains sugar, and the sprinkles atop the “cookies” are the same you would use on your own ice-cream cones or cupcakes. Since many of these items are sold from bakery cases, the easiest way to determine whether these products contain sugar is by smelling them. If it smells sweet and you would consider taking a nibble, then the odds are your dog could do without it. Sugar can lead to diabetes and weight problems. Just because a food item is produced and sold does not mean that it is healthy or good for your dog.

On Cooking Meals

The main meal recipes in this book are meant to supplement — not replace — what you currently feed your dog. If you start with a high-quality kibble, preferably one that is organic, low in fat, and high in fiber, you can vary your dog's meals quite simply. For every half cup of kibble you normally feed your dog, add one serving of your homemade food.

If you are organized and plan your family dinner weekly, you can put aside a portion of the main ingredient and find a recipe that also suits your dog. You can freeze small portions in ice-cube trays and store them in resealable plastic bags. If you have a microwave-safe dog bowl, you can defrost the “meal cubes” in the microwave. Add the kibble after the cubes are defrosted and thinned to the desired consistency. Don't microwave the kibble; it needs to be crunchy to maintain healthy teeth and oral hygiene.