I was standing in the baking aisle at my local co-op last week when I saw it. Tucked right next to the high-protein bread flour and the almond flour was a bag of King Arthur dog biscuit mix. It felt a little weird. King Arthur is the gold standard for my sourdough starter and my holiday pies, so seeing a cartoon dog on the bag caught me off guard.
Honestly, most of us just grab a box of Milk-Bones or some high-end jerky treats and call it a day. It’s easier. But then you look at the back of those bags and see "meat by-products" or "artificial preservatives" and start to feel that low-grade pet parent guilt. You know the one.
So, I bought the mix. I wanted to see if this was just a marketing gimmick or if King Arthur actually brought their milling expertise to the canine world.
What's actually inside the bag?
Most people assume dog biscuit mixes are just overpriced flour. They aren't wrong in some cases, but King Arthur tends to be a bit more intentional. This isn't just white flour and floor sweepings.
The base of the King Arthur dog biscuit mix is usually a blend of whole wheat flour and rolled oats. If you know anything about dog nutrition, you know that while dogs aren't "obligate carnivores" like cats, they still shouldn't be eating a diet of pure simple carbs. The inclusion of oats provides some necessary fiber that helps with digestion, which is a nice touch.
There's also some flax meal in there. That's a big deal for coat health.
Flax is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. You've probably seen those expensive salmon oil pumps at the pet store? This is the plant-based version of that. It helps with that "shiny coat" look that makes people at the dog park ask what you're feeding your pup.
But here is the catch: you still have to add stuff. The mix is a base. Usually, the instructions ask for water and oil (or butter, though oil is better for most dogs). Some people get fancy and swap the water for low-sodium chicken broth. If you do that, just make sure there are no onions or garlic in the broth. Those are toxic to dogs. Seriously. Don't risk it.
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The "Human-Grade" argument
We hear the term "human-grade" tossed around in the pet industry like it’s some magical incantation.
In the case of King Arthur, it actually means something. Because they are a flour company first, the grains they use for their dog mixes are the same quality as the grains they use for the bread you eat. They don't have a separate "low quality" silo for the dogs.
Why does this matter? Well, a lot of commercial dog treats use "feed-grade" ingredients. These are allowed to contain higher levels of certain toxins or molds (like aflatoxins) that wouldn't be allowed in human food. It’s rare, but it happens. Using a mix from a reputable human-food brand basically eliminates that specific worry. It's peace of mind in a 16-ounce bag.
Baking vs. Buying: The reality check
Let's talk about the time commitment.
If you're a busy person, baking dog treats sounds like a nightmare. You have to roll out the dough, find the cookie cutters, and bake them for 30 minutes. Then—and this is the part people forget—you have to leave them in the oven with the heat off so they get "snap-hard." If they stay soft, they'll grow mold in the jar within three days because there are no heavy chemical preservatives in the King Arthur mix.
Is it worth it?
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, yes. 100%.
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When you use the King Arthur dog biscuit mix, you control the fat source. You can use coconut oil if your dog has skin issues. You can add a spoonful of pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling!) to help with digestion. You can't do that with a pre-packaged biscuit from a giant blue bag.
Is the flavor actually "Large Breed" approved?
I've watched dogs go nuts for these, but let's be real: dogs also eat socks. Their bar for "delicious" is pretty low.
However, the smell of these baking is actually pleasant. It smells like nutty crackers or oatmeal cookies. This is a far cry from the "stinky fish" or "artificial beef" smell that hits you when you open a bag of commercial treats.
One thing I noticed with the King Arthur mix is the texture. It holds its shape remarkably well. If you have those cute little bone-shaped cutters, the biscuits come out looking professional. They don't spread or puff up into weird blobs. They stay crisp.
The crispness is important for dental health. While a biscuit won't replace a toothbrush, the mechanical action of crunching through a hard-baked oat biscuit does help scrape a tiny bit of plaque off the molars. It’s better than soft, gummy treats that just stick to the teeth.
Common mistakes people make with this mix
I've seen some "Pinterest fails" with this stuff. Usually, it's because people treat it like human cookie dough.
- Don't over-handle the dough. If you overwork it, the gluten gets tough. While your dog won't care, it makes it really hard to roll out.
- The "Soft Center" trap. If the biscuits are still a little bendy when you take them out, they aren't done. They need to be bone-dry. If you're worried, break one in half. It should "snap."
- Storage. Since these don't have BHA or BHT (common preservatives), you should keep them in an airtight container. If you made a huge batch, freeze half. They thaw out in ten minutes and stay fresh forever in the freezer.
The cost breakdown (Is it a rip-off?)
A bag of the mix usually runs between $7 and $9. You get about 2 to 3 dozen medium-sized biscuits out of it.
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Compare that to a high-end "artisan" dog treat brand at the grocery store. Those usually cost $12 for a 6-ounce bag that contains maybe 15 treats.
So, from a purely financial standpoint, the King Arthur dog biscuit mix is actually cheaper per ounce than the "fancy" store-bought stuff. It's more expensive than the bulk-buy 20lb boxes of generic biscuits, obviously. But you're paying for the ingredient quality.
If you have a 100-pound Great Dane who eats ten treats a day, this mix will bankrupt you. If you have a small dog or use treats sparingly for training, it’s a bargain for the quality you get.
Customizing the mix for picky eaters
Some dogs are divas. We all know one.
If your dog snubbed the basic version of the King Arthur biscuits, try these tweaks next time:
- The Peanut Butter Power-up: Add two tablespoons of natural peanut butter (check for NO xylitol/birch sugar!). This makes the kitchen smell incredible and most dogs will do backflips for it.
- The Cheesy Delight: Toss in a handful of shredded sharp cheddar. The oils in the cheese help make the biscuit even crunchier.
- The Bacon Grease Hack: Instead of vegetable oil, use some cooled bacon grease from your Sunday breakfast. It’s high in sodium, so don't do this every time, but for a special birthday treat? It's a game-changer.
The verdict on King Arthur's canine venture
King Arthur isn't trying to disrupt the entire pet food industry. They're a baking company. They saw an opportunity to provide a high-quality "project" for people who love their pets and love their kitchens.
The King Arthur dog biscuit mix is a solid, reliable product. It isn't a miracle food, and it won't fix a dog's underlying health issues, but it's a massive step up from the mystery-meat biscuits found in the checkout aisle.
If you enjoy the process of baking—the ritual of rolling the dough and the satisfaction of seeing something come out of the oven—you'll love this. If you hate dishes and just want to give your dog a reward for not barking at the mailman, just buy the pre-made stuff.
Actionable steps for your first batch
- Check the label: Ensure you bought the "unseasoned" or specific dog mix, as King Arthur sometimes has seasonal human mixes nearby that look similar.
- Get the right tools: A small 2-inch bone cutter is the perfect size for most breeds and ensures even baking.
- Temperature control: Bake at 350°F ($177°C$) for the initial cook, then drop the oven to 150°F ($65°C$) for an hour to dehydrate them completely.
- Test for doneness: Press the center of a biscuit with your thumb; if there is any "give" at all, they need more time.
- Gift them: These make great gifts for neighbors with dogs. Put them in a mason jar with a ribbon. It looks like you spent hours on it, but the mix did 90% of the work.