Of course, we can't forget our feathered friends out there so I've included recipes for seed-bells and birdie bread. Max, my cockatiel, loves the birdie bread. I use the seed bells as a fun way for him to get some exercise while getting some nutritious treats. I like to hang the bells in his cage so that he has to stretch to reach it or climb up a ladder perch.
1 cup seed mix (suggestion: millet/sunflower/safflower/poppy/hulled oats, best mix: 1/2 crushed nutriberries & 1/2 seed mix)
1 egg white, lightly beaten
Small terra cotta pot 2" (unused) w/hole in bottom (craft stores have them)
1/2 oven bag
1 piece safe wire, small hook at top & big loop at bottom (i.e.: 2" 90% base angle)
Mix the seed mix and egg white in bowl. Line the pot with the oven bag. Pour most of the seed mixture into the pot. Poke the hooked end of the wire into the mix and through the hole at the end of the pot. Make sure that the flat base of the wire is firmly in the mix. Top off with the remaining mix. Place the pot on an oven rack in an upright position with the wire hanging down. Bake in a slow oven (i.e.: low heat) for 90 minutes. Remove the bell with oven mitts, as it will be very hot! Tip out of the pot and remove the paper. You can also form the seed mixture into a shape (using a measuring cup or any form you like) and put it onto a cookie sheet instead of inside the pot.
2 Gerber's Jr. size jar of carrots or sweet potatoes
1/2 cup pellets
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen corn
Mix all of the ingredients together. Bake in muffin tins or cake pans at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until done. These can also be frozen.
Yields: about 1 dozen muffins
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Obviously, I can't cover every type of pet treat out there. There are lots of recipes to be found on the Internet for all different types of pets. I suggest using Google to search for pet recipes. I hope that your pet really enjoys these special treats!
