Pets at Paulina - Adoption Event

For the 3rd year Sam and Willy's, a local boutique pet store, located at 3405 N. Paulina is sponsoring our little red cart! Pets at Paulina, taking place on Saturday, May 18th, gathers local merchants to help Chicagoland cats and dogs find new homes. We love to help up our local pups(and cats) in need! We will have our cart stocked with awesome dog ice cream and treats perfect to pick up after you adopt a new best friend.

Drop by Paulina and Roscoe to meet some new furry friends! (and get some dog treats)!

Monthly Subscription includes our Limited Edition Dog Treat

This month's limited edition treat is mini baked pretzels. They are wheat free and made with tiny sausage bits (your dog is a carnivore). The sausage is fresh from a farm in Michigan. We top off the mini pretzels with sesame seeds.

As part of our subscription model, each month we make a special treat that is not offered on our site. Your pup only receives this treat if you are subscribed. Why would your pup love our shipments? Because they get a surprise every month of handmade delicious treats! Why would you love our shipments? The treats arrive every month at your door.

Frozen Ice Cubed Treats

Ingredients

1/2 C Peanut Butter

1 C Yogurt - plain, low fat

Carob Chips (optional)

*silicone ice cube tray

Prep Time - 10 min

Freeze Time - 2 Hours

1. Mix your peanut butter and yogurt together.

2. Fill the ice cube squares about half full. )We added a carob chip on top, but you can opt to leave them out or add a handful in to the mix.)

3. Pop the them into the freezer and you done! 

Once frozen you can scoop out one or two and serve in a bowl. If your pup has a Kong you can cut the cube in half and it fits right inside.

Granny Smith Apple Pie with Bacon for Dogs

Prep time: 20 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Makes 2-3 servings

Crust:

1 1/4 C Sorghum Flour- Gluten and Wheat Free

1/2 egg

1/8 C water

Filling:

1/2 piece bacon (optional)

1/4 C flour

1 t cinnamon

1 t vanilla

1/2 of a Granny Smith Apple- chopped

1/2 C water

1 t honey

You will also need a ramekin or small pie tin for baking.

1. Turn on oven to 350 degrees.

2. Crust - Beat together flour, egg, and water until completely mixed. Put in fridge for 10 minutes.

3. Filling - In a small saucepan combine flour, cinnamon, vanilla, water, honey and apple. Cook on low heat for 10 minutes while stirring occasionally.

4. Cook 1 slice of bacon on a skillet until crispy, chop, and stir into apple mixture. (we only added 1/2 of the bacon strip)

5. Take out the dough and flatten into a circle large enough to cover the ramekin. Pour filling into the ramekin and cover with the dough (you will have a little left over). Pinch the edges together to finish off the crust, and score the top.

6. Put in the oven for 20 min.

We scooped out a large spoonful of the filling and served it in a separate bowl after cooled.

If your dog loves apples they make a great pie filling. We also used Sorghum flour for the first time and it worked pretty well for the crust. Though it is a grain, it is gluten and wheat free.  We try to rotate and experiment with different types of flours we use to accommodate dogs with allergies. This type of flour is usually used for breads, pastries, and cookies. It is high in protein and fiber.

*Because Sorghum Flour is high in protein we do not recommend it's use for pups with kidney problems.

And yes your dogs can have apples, they are also a great treat uncooked. Maru had actually never eaten one before! I am not going to say it's her favorite treat, but she did manage to finish her slice of pie and I don't think she will shy away from another!

http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-apples/29085

Tuna Patties

A really easy snack I put together that is full of protein. I created it while making us tuna salad for lunch and just grabbed what we had in the fridge!

This recipe yields approximately 4 (depending on size)

Level : Easy

Prep Time : 5 minutes

Cook Time : 20-25 minutes

 

Ingredients  

1 can solid white albacore tuna (rinsed and drained)

1/2 slice of bread (use a wheat or gluten free one if your dog has allergies)

1 egg (we like cage free)

1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic

2 fresh chopped mint leaves (optional)

Olive oil

Directions

1. Turn on the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Chop bread into tiny pieces and whisk the egg.

3. Place everything in a bowl and mix.

4. Lightly grease a cookie sheet or casserole dish with the olive oil.

5. Take the mixture and create small patties. .

6. Place in oven for 20-25 minutes, or until slightly browned.

Take out and let cool. Refrigerate and serve as a treat.

P.S.- Ms. Maru is on a few antibiotics right now and discovered that because of the texture and smell of the patties they make a great treat to hide pills in.

Is it Really American Made?

What do you think when you see the name “American Rawhide”? If you are like me, you probably assume that it is made in the U.S.A. This is why I always, always, always check the back of the packaging to confirm it was american made, except for last night. Maybe it was the long day at work I had, or the freezing cold that was getting to me outside, but either way, I didn’t. Victor and I went into the brand new Petco Unleashed on Western Ave. in Roscoe Village to check out their goods. We wanted to see the quality of products they carried in this concept store that began in 2009 in San Diego.

Usually my parents bring Maru her favorite from Michigan, but she was out and needed some. I just kept hearing Victor say “not those, they smell, these are American”. I think this went on for a few minutes and up to the counter went. When I got home, I tore them open, threw away the receipt and tossed one to Maru. I then read the back of the packaging, USA Hide- Processed in Mexico. EKKK! I was not happy. Companies know the laws and how to manipulate wording that lets them to call it American Rawhide, because technically it is, though it was shipped to Mexico to be made. But with all of the recalls lately on pet sticks, treats, etc. I feel a little more comfortable buying U.S.A. made products.

I dug that receipt right out of the garbage (which you think would be clean, except I just poured food on it) and today they will be going back. 

If you want to know exactly the quality of food you are getting, know your local pet store and please read the packaging every time very carefully.

GRAIN, WHEAT, & GLUTEN FREE VALENTINE'S DAY COOKIE FOR DOGS

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes

 

Ingredients

1/4 C Coconut Flour

3 T Canned Pure Pumpkin

1 T Vegan Carob Chips (ground)

1 t Chia Seeds

2 T Water

1  1/2 T Organic Unsweetened Coconut

1 t Coconut Oil (grease baking sheet)

 

 

Directions

1. Set the oven to 380 degrees.

2. Mix the coconut flour, pumpkin, water, & 1/2 T of coconut in a bowl. The texture will be a little crumbly, that's ok.

3. Lightly grease the cookie sheet with coconut oil before placing your heart shaped cookie cutter on it. Scoop about half of the bowl into the heart and press the mixture down firmly. Leave the cookie cutter in place while you sprinkle the heart with the remaining coconut, carob chips, and chia seeds.

4. Place in oven for 30 minutes. Take out and let cool. We cut ours into quarters and served. 

*you can also place the mixture in mini cupcake molds.

 

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These are a quick and easy treat. We use coconut flour a lot as a base for baking because even the most sensitive of dogs can usually tolerate it. It is grain, wheat, and gluten free for all the pups that have allergies. The carob chips are a great alternative for chocolate and pumpkin is good for the digestive system, especially when they are having problems. 

Happy Valentine's Day,

Ms. Maru and the Arrfscarf crew.

Super Bowl Game Day Food - Chili and Yam Skins for Pups

Food is crucial for Super Bowl Sunday. We get to enjoy pizza, chips, snacks, and other delicious finger food. But what about the hungry pups on Super Bowl Sunday? At Arrfscarf, we always think about the pups.  We crafted two pup friendly recipes for our canine friends, Chicken Chili and Yam Skins. 

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Yam Skins topped with Ground Beef and Cheddar Cheese

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients

2 Yams, 1/4 lbs of ground sirloin, 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, olive oil

Directions

Set the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the yams thinly, the thickness of a potato chip. Place the sliced yams on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil. Then, lightly sprinkle olive oil on the sliced yams. Place the yams in the oven for 15 minutes.

In the meantime, brown the beef over medium heat. Break down the beef into small pieces while cooking.

Remove the yams from the oven. Sprinkle each piece with the browned beef and shredded cheese. Place the yams back in the oven on the top rack. Set the oven to broil for 5 minutes.

Cook the yams until tender and the cheese is melted.

Chicken Chili

Prep Time: 45 Minutes

Ingredients

1/2 lb of cooked chicken breast, one cup of frozen kale, 2/3 cup of instant long grain rice, 2 carrots peeled and chopped, 1/2 cup of frozen peas, 1/2 cup of beef broth low sodium, 2 cups of water, (optional 1/4 cup of tomato sauce).

Directions

First shred the chicken breast. Then place all of the ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Cook over low heat for 25 minutes and cover.

Remove from stove and let cool.

 

Here you can see both items in their final state of deliciousness.

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It's so funny while making both of these recipes, I sensed Ms. Maru knew that they were for her. Game Day or not, I will for sure make these again for her. The yam skins can be made without the cheese or ground sirloin for a healthy little snack. The Chicken Chili is packed full of ingredients that are full of vitamins and protein for your canine.

Yammin' it up with Green Beans for Dogs

After I made this simple recipe for Ms. Maru I read about the “Green Bean Diet” for dogs. I had never heard of this, but Ms. Maru is highly active and naturally lean. “The Green Bean Diet” seems to be well known in the world of overweight dogs and there is a lot of opinions about it. Green Beans are used as a partial meal replacement because of the high fiber content making dogs feel full faster while being low in fat and calories. Here are a few articles that explain it further; Petmd and Fox News.

 

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Benefits of Ingredients

Yams: Contain Vitamins A, C, B6, Manganese, Copper, Potassium and Iron. Yams are a great source of nutrients and studies have proven that they help stabilize blood sugar levels and lower insulin resistance in dogs. 

Green Beans: Low-Fat and high in fiber.

We do not intend this recipe to be part of a meal replacement. We suggest you add a 1/2-1 C to their normal food regimen for added nutrients and flavor! Yams are high in starch, so do not feed daily if your dog has a weight problem.

 

 

Recipe

Prep time: 5 Min.

Cook Time: 1.5 Hrs.

Total Time: 2 Hrs.

Level: Easy

1 YAM

1 C FRESH GREEN BEANS Chopped (if not use frozen, canned are very high in sodium)

1 t OLIVE OIL (optional)

PINCH OF SALT (optional)

1. Wash yam, wrap in tin foil and bake for 1.5 hours at 375 degrees. Cook chopped green beans in 2 Cups water for 20 minutes.

2. Rinse green beans and take off the skin of the yam (pulls right off once cooked). Combine in bowl and mash together, adding the olive oil and salt for flavor if desired.    

Make sure cooled before serving

Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream Q & A

We frequently are asked specific questions about our Dog Ice Cream. This Q & A hopefully answers some of those frequent questions. 

Q- Why Dog Ice Cream?

A- Why not? People love this frozen dessert treat year round, so should our best friend! If pups are going to have a frozen treat, it should be a treat designed around their unique digestive system. We would hate for pups to consume large amounts of processed ingredients. Our dog ice cream takes into consideration pup's sensitive stomachs. 

Q- My dog has never had Dog Ice Cream, how do they eat it?

A- Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream comes in a 4 oz. container and contains 3.3 oz which is a single serving. Most dogs know to start licking as soon as the cup hits the floor. Tiny dogs sometimes need you to hold it for a bit, and a small amount of dogs prefer it to defrost a tad. If your dog tends to eat everything in sight, we recommend that you squeeze out the contents into their bowl so they don’t eat the plastic container (which is bpa free).

Q- I thought dogs couldn’t have ice cream because of the dairy?

A- Real ice cream is made from milk or cream which contains large amounts of lactose. Lactose is hard for some people to digest, and that is the same for dogs. Using yogurts with live cultures breaks down the lactose so it can be easily digested. 

Q- What kind of yogurt does Arrfscarf use in their Dog Ice Cream?

A- We use both Greek non-fat and regular low-fat yogurts. None of which have any added  sweeteners. All contain live cultures and probiotics.

Q- Are their real benefits to having your dog eat Dog Ice Cream?

A- Yes. The yogurt is an excellent source of protein and calcium for your dog. The probiotics aid in a healthy immune system and keep the bad bacteria in check.

Q- What makes Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream different than others?

A- A lot! We only use quality yogurts, real ingredients (no flavorings), and no preservatives. We do not add stabilizers, sugar, or salt. The meat used in all of our Dog Ice Cream is sourced locally in Chicago and every batch is handmade. For example, when we make the Beef Brisket flavor, we slow roast the beef for 8 hours so it can get real tender before being added to the Dog Ice Cream. 

Q- What if my dog can only have certain fruits or vegetables, or has a sensitive stomach?

A- At Arrfscarf we have worked hard to select and use only ingredients that are good for dogs. All Dog Ice Cream we make is grain and wheat free. There are many flavors we have done in the past that are not listed on our site using strawberries, mint, blueberries, carob chips, etc. 

Let us know if you have any other questions, and please remember that Arrfscarf Dog Ice Cream is a treat and not a meal replacement. 

 

Watch a video of Pretzel eating our dog ice cream