Our canine companions need the best nutrition and care to stay healthy. How to Make Healthy Dog Treats at Home is an easy recipe that your dog will love! They relay on us 100% to provide for their basic needs of food and shelter. One way to keep them active and healthy is to feed them quality food and treats.
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Homemade Bone Broth strengthens your dog’s gut, provides nutrients for their skin, coat and protects their joints! You can make your own bone broth easily at home; Homemade Chicken Bone Broth.
I have two Labrador retrievers, they are five and half years apart in age. However, the older lab has always been super food motivated. If you have a food motivated dog, you know that treats are a wonderful reward during training sessions and for rewards for good manners around the house.
Our younger lab also likes special treats, however they need to be really good! For a dog that means smelly and tasty. Dogs like strong food smells such as peanut butter, liver, banana, and sardines (especially sardines!).
In case you have an aversion to fish smells, I’ll refrain from creating a dog treat with sardines for now. I chose human-grade ingredients and when possible grown organically as well.
Shopping for healthy treats is expensive and difficult! Not to mention the questionable ingredients found in them.
What is in store-bought treats?
Specifically what unhealthy ingredients can we find in the average dog treats? You might be surprised and little sickened by the ingredients that get tossed in store bought treats.
We will look at four specific ingredients that are not meant for a dog to consume.
Fillers; such as corn and soy. Neither one of these ingredients contains nutritional value for dogs. Both corn and soy are genetically modified which makes them hard to digest and triggers inflammation. Fillers contribute to dog obesity and diabetes.
Preservatives. The top two preservatives used in both dog food and dog treats is BHA and BHT, both of these synthetic ingredients are banned for human consumption. They are known as carcinogens and are considered toxic to animals.
Propylene Glycol. This synthetic chemical is a controversial ingredient that is used in antifreeze, cosmetics and hygiene products. It is used in dog treats to help the products appearance and extend shelf-life.
Ethoxyquin. This synthetic ingredient is used as a preservative. It’s also used as a pesticide and in the manufacturing of rubber.
Those four ingredients alone are one reason I read dog food and dog treat labels very carefully before buying. I chose five simple ingredients to create a yummy dog treat.
Ingredients in Healthy Homemade Dog Treats
All human-grade organic ingredients! I chose only the best for my dogs and they appreciate it. Plus I like my dogs to have shiny healthy coats. I pretty sure it’s the peanut butter that got them interested in these treats. Although eggs and coconut oil are favorites for them.
Five simple ingredients!
Peanut Butter. I chose organic peanut butter that is natural and requires stirring. The ingredients on the label read: Organic Peanuts and sea salt. Avoid peanut butter that has a list of ingredients, and especially beware that some brands contain birch bark or xylitol which is toxic to dogs. Santa Cruz Organic Creamy Light Roasted Peanut Butter, 16 Ounces
Oat Flour. Organic rolled oats tossed in the blender makes great oat flour. Oats are naturally gluten-free and nutritionally dense which makes the flour a nutritious ingredient. Two more perks is oats are anti-inflammatory and easy to digest. Anthony’s Organic Whole Grain Oat Flour, 4 lb, Gluten Free, Non GMO
Egg. A fresh free-range egg contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and protein!
Coconut Oil. This oil is rich in fatty acids and healthy saturated fats. It contributes by giving your dog an itch-free shiny coat. Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 Fl Oz USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Fair Trade, Fresh Flavor and Aroma for Cooking & Healthy Skin and Hair
Banana. A natural sweetener that contains potassium, biotin, and fiber for your dog. Due the sugar content in bananas, they should be eaten in small quantities and for special treats.
How to make healthy dog treats at home can be very simple!
Gather the 5 ingredients and read the following instructions.
Free Printable Recipe – Peanut Butter Oat Dog Treats
Peanut Butter Oat Dog Treats
gluten free – corn free & no preservatives
Ingredients
- 1 c. organic peanut butter natural
- 1 c. oat flour (made from rolled oats)
- 1 large free range egg
- 1 T. unrefined coconut oil
- ½ banana (organic preferred)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°.
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Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. Set aside.
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Place oats in a high speed blender and blend until they resemble a fine flour.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat your ½ banana, egg, and coconut oil. Once creamy, beat in 1 c. peanut butter.
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Next, stir or beat in your oat flour. You can use a spatula or your hands to form the dough into a nice firm ball.
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Dust a cutting board or parchment paper with oat flour. Place your dough ball in the center and roll out until the dough is ¼" thick.
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Use desired cookie cutters to make the dog treats. Place on the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes. The baking time is determined by the size and thickness of your treats.
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Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
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Store in a cool pantry for 7 days or the refrigerator up to 14 days. They also freeze well in an airtight container.
My labs truly love these treats and can smell them right away. They make wonderful rewards for going to their crate in the evening or practicing to hold a stay.
Enjoy making these treats for the favorite dog in your life.
Pursing Better Health Together,