Did you know that about 80 million homes in America have an animal family

member? And about half of those households have more than one? Say “Hello” to

National Pet Month, celebrated in May. And if you’re looking for a great way to

celebrate how important our pets are check out these ideas or try these home-

baked doggy treats!

How to celebrate national pet month

 Donate to or volunteer at an animal shelter.

 Pamper and spoil your pet.

 Fundraise for an animal charity.

 Have a professional photo taken with your pet.

 Research! Find out as much as you can about animal care and breeds, go to

American Kennel Club, www.AKC.org

Make Your Own Dog Treats

Courtesy of American Kennel Club

Kids love helping in the kitchen (with proper supervision, of course) and making

homemade dog treats in a fun way to work together! You can make these treats for your

own dog or as a gift!

What you’ll need:

 A blender or food processor

 1 ½ Cups of Dry Oatmeal

 1 Large Banana

 ½ Cup Peanut Butter (try to use natural with less sugar)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Use the blender to grind the oats into powder. Alternatively, you can use oat

powder if your stove carries it. Be sure to check the label for foods that might harm

your dog.

3. In a bowl, blend together the banana and peanut butter. This would be a good task

for your child!

4. Keep out about a tablespoon of oatmeal powder, otherwise pour the rest into the

bowl and mix.

5. Use the tablespoon of oatmeal powder to dust your surface.

6. Roll the dough into a large ball and roll out ¼ inch thick. Another great task for your

child!

7. Cut into shapes of your choosing (a dog bone cookie cutter is fun) and place on a

cookie sheet linked with parchment paper.

8. Bake treats for about 15 minutes until lightly browned.

9. Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to one week.