Pet food trends

From homemade treats to edible ‘barktastic’ bones and what not to feed your furry friends, Hilary Biller shares the low down on pet food innovation

06 April 2025 – 00:00

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Homemade dog biscuits
Image: 123rf.com/robertprzybysz

1. TREAT YOUR DOGS TO HOMEMADE DOGGIE BISCUITS

Deeelicious for doggies — and humans too! Recipe can be doubled, and the quantity depends on the size of your cookie cutter

300g (2 ½ cups) wholewheat flour1 large egg250ml (1 cup) warm water, to which 2.5ml (1/2 tsp) Marmite or Bovril is added for a beefy flavour — stir to dissolve and cool250ml (1 cup) smooth peanut butter (Xylitol, a sweetener is toxic for dogs, so read the label carefully)30ml (2 tbsp) runny honey, check the label, you want real honey and not a sweetened version blended with syrupPreheat oven to 180ºC and line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper — or two medium-sized baking trays.Place the flour in the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, as the dough is firm and sticky and easier to work with by mixing in an electric mixer.In a separate bowl, combine the egg and cooled water and whisk lightly to blend before adding the peanut butter and honey and mix through. Pour over the whole wheat flour, and with the electric mixer on low, mix till ingredients are combined.Lightly flour a large piece of greaseproof paper and place on the kitchen counter. Place dough on the paper and cover with another piece, the same size, of lightly floured paper and roll out dough to about 1cm. Remove the top piece of greaseproof paper and, using a cookie cutter [a bone cutter and other fun cutters can be found in baking specialist stores[. Lift carefully onto the baking tray and, as they don’t rise much, you can pack them fairly close together.Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden. If the shapes are small, they will bake quicker. Once done, set aside to cool and store in an airtight container.

Vondi’s caption here
Image: supplied

Vondi’s caption here
Image: Supplied

2. TOO MUCH WORK TO MAKE YOUR OWN? Try celebrity chef-endorsed doggy treats

Capetonian Chef Jenny Morris, well known for her inimitable style, infectious laugh and great love of her fur babies, it was one of her pets’ itchy skin condition that made her question the food she was feeding her animals — and she stumbled on Vondi’s Holistic Pet Nutrition. This is a Cape Town company that specialises in balanced scientifically-formulated natural, wholesome, preservative free dog food which helped her dog. So, Morris and Vondi’s owners Cindy and Paul Teubes pooled their skills and collaborated on a range natural treats for dogs. The whole wheat doggy treats are biscuits available in different flavours made using natural ingredients for different ailments — think mint & rooibos for itchy skin; rosehip & devils claw for arthritis; peanut butter & pumpkin for good gut health; and coconut oil for a shiny coat.

Available from Vondis.co.za, R53 for 200g.

Slomo LickiMat
Image: Supplied

3. LICK THE PLATTER CLEAN

LikiMats put a whole new spin of feeding pets with their unique puzzle designs, colours and sizes made from non-toxic food grade rubber and available in different designs and patterns, bright colours and sizes. Why? The mats are said to slow down feeding, which aids digestion and reduces stress and boredom. The idea is to spread your pet’s favourite wet or raw food, kibble or even treats over the mat surface. Frozen makes the treat last longer.

LickiMat Playdate for dogs and LickiMat Felix for kittens and cats from selected pet stores from R160 each and price varies according to shape and size.

Cuthbert’s Semi Moist Easter Bites, R99.99 for 800g at dearpet.co.za
Image: Supplied

4. DOGGIE DENTAL HEALTH

There are a number of tasty treats to assist dogs to clean their teeth but we fancied these star-shaped sticks with indentations to really help clean AND because it contains butternut, in dehydrated form and includes chicken meal, corn starch, glycerine, milk powder (lactose reduced), wheat gluten and other ingredients. A great reward for good behaviour, tempting treat between meal-snack and just because you want your furry friend to have the best teeth in town.

Available at selected pet stores from R88 for a 500g tub.

350ml bowl, R299, woolworths.co.za
Image: Supplied

TRENDY DOGGIE DINING

The BeOneBreed Black and Beige Leaf Print melamine and stainless steel caught our attention because it’s so funky and way ahead of the boring bowls of yore. Ideal for pet food or water and what’s so nice about them is the rubber edging at the bottom so the bowl won’t slide around and annoy the pet nor owner with the noise. Pets bowls need to be cleaned thoroughly with hot water and soap after every meal for optimum hygiene and with the stainless steel inner it makes it so easy.

Woolworths 350ml bowl R299

5. DOGGY AND KITTY NO-NO’S

As tempting as it is to feed pets with ‘treats’ these foods are NOT on their menu and out of bounds:

Chocolate

Grapes and Raisins

Onions, Garlic and Chives

Xylitol [a sugar replacement]

Macadamia Nuts

Caffeine

Alcohol

And when it comes to fruit, dogs can enjoy the following:

Apples (1-2 slices)