Anise seed dog bones will soon become a favorite for your dog! Anise is to dogs like catnip is to cats. They love the smell and taste of anise seed, and treats made from it will get their attention fast!
I guarantee that the first time you make these dog treats, you will discover the magic of using anise in homemade dog treats for your Best Friend!
Anise is one of those spices that are almost addictive--to both dogs AND people.
If you’ve ever tasted Italian Pizzelles (anise waffle cookies), you have had the pleasure of tasting anise.
Pizzelles are one of those cookies that you just can’t stop eating, once you start. They are crispy and have a rich buttery licorice-like flavor, while still being light and delicate. Once you taste anise cookies, you will never forget them!
Drag hunting is a sport where riders on horseback follow foxhounds that are trained to follow a scent, in this case, the scent of anise.
A sack that has been saturated with anise oil is dragged across the ground, and it provides a scent that foxhounds can follow. The riders negotiate a trail that has numerous jumps and obstacles, which are part of the fun.
Another example of using anise with dogs is found in greyhound racing. The dogs chase an artificial hare that has been scented with anise. This is how trainers teach the dogs to run around the racetrack.
Anise is definitely worth using in your homemade dog treats. Dogs adore it and anise is good for them.
If you watch your dog when she discovers a new treat, she will first sniff it, then mouth it and then she will devour it. Smell is the most important sense for dogs. It's the way that they first discover and identify things.
A little trick I’ve learned is that you can increase the smell and taste of anise by grinding the seeds in your coffee grinder before adding them to the recipe.
An added benefit of doing this is that the next morning your coffee has a slight, but delicious taste of anise!
Enjoy making these anise homemade dog treats for your dog. The smell while they are baking will drive you crazy too!
Dog bone cookie cutters come in many sizes.
Sometimes it is easier (and takes less time) to make a larger bone and just break it in half for a small dog.
If you have fun baking these dog bone treats, here's a dog treat cookbook, Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs that I think you'll enjoy!
Here are some more anise dog treats:
![]() |
![]() |