Dog lovers can now buy freshly baked goodies for their four legged family from the newly opened Barkalot Bakery in Montville.

“I have been in the pet industry for 22 years and although I have dipped in and out of other industries, I always end up being drawn back to animals,” said owner Carolyn Pietzner.

“I can’t help myself, it’s where my heart lies.”

Although she started out as a pet shop owner, and then a dog groomer, and pet crematorium owner, Carolyn saw a market for healthy, high quality treats for dogs and started her first dog treat bakery in 2013.

“After a few curve balls and life changes, I decided to go back into making dog treats and I am really excited to bring this range to my customers,” she said.

“We make a range of different treats which contain all natural ingredients, and there are no additives or preservatives in the biscuit base and cakes,” she said. “Popular ingredients include yoghurt and carob, fruit, liver, sweet potato, coconut, peanut butter, oats, honey, apple, chicken, beef and tuna, carrot, berries and melon.” 

“The icing does have preservatives, and if your doggie has allergies, let us know and we may be able to customise the recipe to suit,” she said. “We also offer grain and gluten free goodies.

“Because we generally don’t use preservatives, the shelf life is a little shorter, but our products can last up to a couple of months if they are stored correctly,” she said. 

“They need to be placed in a dry cool place out of direct sunlight and cakes can be placed in the freezer for up to 3 months.”

The Barkalot range includes sweet and savoury cookies and tidbits, ‘pupcakes’, birthday cakes, sweet treats, dehydrated chew treats, party supplies, storage containers and holiday inspired cakes and cookies.

“The holiday themed goodies always go over really well and I know that people love to have fresh, healthy treats for their furbabies around Christmas time,” said Carolyn. “It is a time when people come together to enjoy food, but unfortunately there are a lot of Christmas foods that are particularly unhealthy, or straight up dangerous for dogs. Our products are a wonderful alternative. I am working on pudding, snow balls, cookies and cranberry and coconut white Christmas.”

And if you think the cakes and cookies are good enough for people to eat, you’d be right.

“All of our products are made from human grade ingredients and are absolutely safe and nutritious for people to enjoy as well,” Carolyn said. “I would not personally eat a liver cupcake, but the pineapple and banana based cakes are delicious!”

• You can visit Barkalot at 2A/ 130 Main St, Montville or go online to browse the range and order your dog treats at www.barkalotbakery.com.au. You can collect your orders from the shop or a delivery service is also available.