National Dog Biscuit Day 2024: When Is It & How to Celebrate
By Brooke Bundy
Updated on
Every year on February 23rd, pet parents celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day with their favorite dog. No one knows the origins of the holiday, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating with gusto. After all, every day is technically dog treat day with our canines. Here are some special ways to commemorate the annual event with your pup.
What Is National Dog Biscuit Day?
Although its origins remain unknown, National Dog Biscuit Day is recognized by reputable organizations such as the ASPCA.1 It’s even celebrated globally as International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day.2
The first acknowledged dog biscuit was created by James Spratt in the mid-1800s. Before his clever square invention, dogs were often tossed hardtack from sailors aboard sea-bound vessels or thrown moldy bread that was deemed humanly inedible on land. James figured he could make a profit manufacturing a biscuit that was designed specifically for dogs. He was right. His product, Spratt’s Patent Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes, found a rich market among English gentlemen who wanted to spoil their canines. Interestingly, these introductory dog biscuits functioned as a meal. They weren’t considered treats until much later, when the recipes were updated to contain more fat following World War II.
Dog biscuits remained in an uninteresting, square format until another inventor, Carleton Ellis, came on the scene. A slaughterhouse asked him for ideas of what to do with all of the “waste milk.” His answer was to create a dog treat recipe crafted from the excess milk. His original prototype featured the same square format as Spratt’s Dog Cakes, but he was puzzled. His own dog wasn’t interested in his new invention. He changed the shape to a dog bone to please his canine, who eagerly received the reshaped creation. Dogs across America enthusiastically chowed down on his new treat, which incidentally became the Milk-Bone.
Ways to Celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day
It’s easy to celebrate International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. Give your dog a (milk) bone! You can also take them on a walk to a local pet bakery to select something fresh or make your own snacks. You might even consider planning a dog treat bake-off with a few canine-loving friends so that you can swap recipes and enjoy each other’s company. Planning a treat party at a dog park can be an excellent way to celebrate. Just be sure to ask each dog’s parent if it’s okay for them to sample your treats.
Inspired by Sprinkles & Salt, here’s a recipe for a four-ingredient dog treat recipe you can make at home. Depending on what size cookie cutter you use, this recipe yields a bountiful batch. You can store them for a couple weeks in an airtight container, freeze some for later, or share them with your neighbors who may also be looking for a way to celebrate.
The 4-Ingredient Blueberry Dog Treats by Sprinkles & Sea Salt
Equipment
- Cookie cutter (preferably bone-shaped)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microwave-safe or oven-safe bowl
- Microwave or oven for melting coconut oil
- Clean surface for rolling dough
- Rolling pin
- oven
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 ¼ cup + 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup halved or dehydrated blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Scoop 2 tbsp. coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Warm in the microwave in 15 second intervals until it's melted, or pop in the oven for a couple minutes while it's preheating.
- Add 1 ¼ cup of whole wheat flour to the melted coconut oil. Mix until fully combined.
- Whisk eggs into the mixture, one at a time.
- Rinse blueberries and pat dry with a towel. Cut them in half if you're using fresh berries. Fold the berries into the dough.
- Use your hands to craft the dough into a ball. Roll out the dough on a clean surface. Add the extra 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour to the surface and the rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Once the dough is flat and smooth, cut into shapes using your cookie cutter.
- Place the treats on a baking sheet that's lined with parchment paper, or thinly coated with oil to prevent sticking.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- After the treats have cooled, it's time to celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day!
Notes
Conclusion
Whether you take your dog out for a treat or bake a batch of biscuits at home, you don’t want to miss celebrating National Dog Biscuit Day. February 23rd is a reminder that every day is a special day with your pup. You can tag your festivities with #NationalDogBiscuitDay on social media to share with your friends and create awareness for next year.
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Featured Image Credit: pakornkrit, Shutterstock
