Dog Chef Archives - Snoot and Toebeans

Bacon Cheddar Waffles for Dogs – it’s Breakfast!

Jeana — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 03:31:22 +0000

Does your dog watch your every move as you eat your breakfast? My two dogs do! Actually they watch my every move at every meal time, but there’s something about the smell of bacon. Therefore, I created a recipe to make bacon cheddar waffles for dogs to appease those begging eyes.

However, it only works momentarily! Haha! Mainly because Bella and Edward love them and eat them in about two seconds flat! Secondly because they are treats and dogs shouldn’t be fed an abundance of treats.

These bacon cheddar waffles for dogs are so easy to make, too! Plus, what dog doesn’t love bacon and cheese? The second I say, “woofles”, my dogs are turning circles and beating me to the refrigerator.

Have you ever heard of the word, woofles for dog waffles? I hadn’t until one of my readers introduced it to me. In a comment on a post for sweet potato dog waffles, Deana says she calls them woofles. She let me know her dog, Dexter gets rambunctious hearing the word and LOVES the sweet potato waffles.

So, in honor of Deana and Dex, these bacon cheddar waffles for dogs are called Bacon Cheddar Woofles. On a side note, the word, woofles, is now a part of Bella and Edward’s “known” vocabulary.

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Main Ingredients in Bacon Cheddar Waffles for Dogs

So, of course the bacon and cheese are the main ingredients in these bacon cheddar waffles for dogs. Maybe bacon is unhealthy, but it’s not dangerous or unsafe for your dog. Nor is cheese unsafe or dangerous for your dog.

In fact, they’re not even named in the ASPCA’s list of “people” foods to avoid feeding your pets. Furthermore, bacon and cheese are ingredients in an abundance of dog treats and some dog foods.

However, both of these “people” foods should only be given in small quantities. For instance, bacon is an incredibly rich and fatty food with high salt content. Plus, cheese is high in calories.

Therefore, too much fatty, salty foods, high in calories can lead to obesity or heart-related diseases. Furthermore, both can cause pancreatitis if given in large quantities.

Some dogs are especially sensitive to fatty foods which can prove to be too much for their stomach. Plus, some dogs are lactose intolerant and can’t eat cheese, milk, or dairy products.

It’s important to understand that these dairy products aren’t toxic. However, lactose intolerant dogs, like humans, don’t have the digestive juices necessary to process it.

You will know if your dog is lactose intolerant, because they will have diarrhea and a tummy ache. Be sure to talk to your vet if you feel like your dog is indeed lactose intolerant. Furthermore, if your dog suffers from pancreatitis, then stay away from cheese.

So, the key here is to only give your dog these two ingredients in small quantities. You’re in luck with these bacon cheddar waffles for dogs, because there are only small amounts of each ingredient. Furthermore, giving your dog bacon and cheese as ingredients in treats or food is the healthiest option.

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Let’s Make Bacon Cheddar Woofles

The smell from these bacon cheddar waffles will make you want to give them a taste. So, go ahead! I did. However, I always taste the treats I make for my fur babies. Bacon Cheddar Woofles have a soft, chewy consistency. But, they are a little bland for our taste buds, because they do not have that sweet or salty factor.

Ingredients for Bacon Cheddar Woofles

egg
water
unsweetened applesauce
oat flour
bacon
cheese

Putting the Recipe Together

First, cook the bacon, either in a frying pan, microwave, or in the oven. I personally prefer cooking bacon in the oven. I line a baking sheet with foil and place the bacon flat in a row. Then, I cook it until it is crispy.

Secondly, beat an egg with a fork in a medium bowl. Then, add the water and unsweetened applesauce, and blend together.

Thirdly, add the oat flour to the wet mixture, and blend with a spoon until well combined. The batter will be a little lumpy and have a cake-like consistency.

Then, use a spoon to blend in the bacon and cheese.

Next, heat a waffle maker according to your brand’s instructions. I used a Dash mini waffle maker. I just love this little waffle maker for making waffles for my fur babies. It’s the perfect size.

Once heated, spray coconut oil on the top and bottom metal plates to grease them. To clarify, there is actually a spray can of coconut oil located with the other oil spray cans. However, you can also use the coconut oil in a jar and spread it over the metal plates.

Then, it is up to you as to what size you want to make your waffles. For instance, scoop about a tablespoon of batter per waffle. This is what I did, and it allowed me to put two to three scoops on the iron. As a result, this recipe made 21 small waffles. I have two small dogs, so these were the perfect size for them.

Next, cook the waffles until golden brown. My waffle maker has a light that turns on when the lid is closed. Then, when it turns off, the waffles are a nice golden brown.

After that, remove the waffles from the heat and allow to thoroughly cool before serving to your dog.

Lastly, you can store the waffles in a ziplock baggie in the refrigerator for up to a week. In addition, you can freeze them for up to two to three weeks.

To Sum Up…

Sharing with your fur baby is the absolute best part of making homemade treats. For instance, it’s always a fun bonding experience. Mine are underfoot while I tell them all about the yummy treats I’m making for them.

How have you used bacon or cheese with your dog? We would love to read about it in the comments below.

I hope your dog enjoys these woofles as much as mine do. You can let us know in the comments when you make these bacon cheddar waffles for dogs. We love reading about your bonding experiences.

You might like these recipes from our Dog Chef section:

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Bacon Cheddar Woofles

These are doggy waffles! The smell of bacon and cheese cooking on the waffle iron will have your dog turning in circles waiting for them to finish cooking. You can never go wrong with bacon and cheese as a treat. Now you can serve it in a fun way!

Servings small waffle treats

Calories 34kcal

Ingredients

1 egg
⅛ cup water
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup oat flour
½ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
3 slices cooked bacon (or ⅓ cup bacon pieces)

Instructions

Heat a waffle maker according to your brand’s instructions. (I used a Dash mini waffle maker.)
In a medium bowl, beat an egg with a fork. Then, add the water and unsweetened applesauce and blend together.
Add the oat flour to the egg, water, and unsweetened applesauce mixture. Blend with a spoon until well combined. The consistency will be a cake-like batter and a little lumpy.
Cook bacon in a frying pan, microwave, or in the oven.
Blend in the cheese and bacon using a spoon.
Scoop about a tablespoon of batter three to four different times, placing separately on the metal plates of the waffle maker. Repeat this process until you run out of batter.
Cook until golden brown. (The light on my waffle maker turns on when the lid is closed and turns off when the waffles are ready.)
Remove the waffles from the heat and allow to cool thoroughly. (I cooled mine on a cookie cooling rack.)
Store in a zip-lock baggie in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze for up to two to three weeks.

Nutrition

The post Bacon Cheddar Waffles for Dogs – it’s Breakfast! appeared first on Snoot and Toebeans.

Gingerbread Cookies for Dogs – Fun Holiday Treat

Jeana — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 06:29:01 +0000

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Once upon a time, two little old dogs lived in a little old townhouse near the city. The little old dogs were hungry. So, the little old dog mom decided to bake some gingerbread cookies for dogs.

She made a big batch of gingerbread dough just for the little old dogs…

Ha! Ha! There really are so many different story versions of The Gingerbread Man. I was a Kindergarten teacher and I read them all during December.

Furthermore, the gingerbread man delights people of all ages as a cookie during the holidays. So, how about delighting your dog? He or she can join the fun with gingerbread cookies for dogs.

Plus, these gingerbread cookies for dogs are healthy and safe without the granulated sugar. Regular gingerbread is often on the list of foods not to feed dogs. For instance, this is because many gingerbread recipes contain nutmeg, which can be toxic to dogs.

Therefore, this recipe contains no nutmeg and only six dog-safe ingredients. However, if you have questions or concerns about what you’re feeding your dog, always consult your vet.

This was my first time working with ginger and molasses in my homemade dog treat recipes. Therefore, let’s briefly talk about these two ingredients before getting into how to make gingerbread cookies for dogs.

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Ginger in Gingerbread Cookies for Dogs

Have you ever drank ginger ale for an upset tummy? A lot of people do and it’s because of the ginger in it. Furthermore, ginger’s function as a digestive aid for stomach upset and nausea is probably its best known benefit. That goes for humans and dogs alike.

Therefore, ginger may help at early stages of bloat by stimulating movement in your dog’s stomach. For instance, the contents in the stomach move out quicker, preventing build ups.

Furthermore, ginger is a carminative herb. In other words, it can help prevent and expel gas from your dog’s digestive tract.

“The most common use is as an anti-nausea and anti-vomiting supplement, but it has also been used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, circulatory stimulant, and for cognitive support.“
VCA Hospitals

So other than its common use, ginger has also been used as an anti-inflammatory antioxidant and a circulatory stimulant. And, it has been known for supporting the cognitive well being of dogs.

Therefore, it has been used for motion sickness, and side effects of cancer treatment, as in chemotherapy. In addition, it can help with memory problems and osteoarthritis.

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Molasses in Gingerbread Cookies for Dogs

Although sweeteners should normally be skipped, a modest helping of this natural sweetener can be an exception. In fact, molasses complements these gingerbread cookies for dogs because it can be consumed in moderation.

Therefore, if consumed in moderation, your dog can derive multiple benefits from molasses. For instance, molasses is rich in essential minerals and vitamins. Therefore, your dog’s immunity and well being can get a boost.

In addition, your dog can get the following benefits from a modest portion of molasses:

Potassium can help maintain heart health while promoting healthy blood pressure.
Iron, copper, and selenium are vital for maintaining strong bones and joints.
Antioxidants are essential in protecting body cells from oxidative stress linked to cancer and other diseases.
Vitamin B6 can help to digest fats and metabolize amino acids.
Chromium can improve a dog’s glucose tolerance levels, which can help control diabetes.
Iron helps keep anemia away.
Anti-inflammatory properties help ease the discomfort and pain from arthritis and other joint problems.

In addition to making sure your dog consumes molasses in moderation, be sure that it doesn’t contain xylitol. Plus, the molasses must be chemical free to be a healthy supplement.

The healthiest molasses for your dog is blackstrap. For instance it has a lower sugar content than other types of molasses. Plus, it is rich in minerals and vitamins.

When shopping for ingredients for these gingerbread cookies for dogs, I couldn’t find blackstrap molasses. In fact, there was only one brand and type of molasses on the shelf. So, Grandma’s Unsulphured Original Molasses is what I used.

Since I was using the molasses for treats, I knew it would be consumed moderately. Unsulphured is actually the finest quality, so it does have more sugar content than blackstrap.

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How to Make Gingerbread Cookies for Dogs

These gingerbread cookies for dogs go by the recipe name, Gingerbread Man Doggy Cookies. These cookie treats were so much fun to make for my fur babies. First of all they made my house smell so Christmassy while they were baking. Second of all, they turned out so cute, even if my decorating skills aren’t professional. They were sure tiny for trying to put little details on. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. HaHa! Seriously though, let’s look at putting this recipe together. You will need the following ingredients.

Cookie Ingredients for Gingerbread Man Doggy Cookies

oat flour
ground cinnamon
ground ginger
unsweetened applesauce
molasses
olive oil

Icing Ingredients for Gingerbread Man Doggy Cookie

low or fat free cream cheese
honey
low or fat free plain yogurt
flour, if needed, for thickening
optional natural food coloring

Steps to Make Gingerbread Man Doggy Cookie

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.

Second, whisk all of the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Then, in a small bowl, add the wet ingredients and beat until combined. You can use an electric mixer or stir vigorously with a spoon.

Third, slowly mix the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredient mixture. Stir the two mixtures until they are thoroughly combined and uniform in color.

Furthermore, use your hands to finish combining, making sure the dough is a play-doh consistency. For instance, you want it soft and not sticky, but slightly tacky and easy to work with. However, if it is dry and crumbly, add a little water. If the dough is too wet or soft, add extra flour.

Next, form the dough into a dough ball. If you want to make rolling easier, then form two dough balls. Then, place on a non-stick baking mat, parchment paper, or a clean work surface sprinkled with flour. I personally like using parchment paper, but I still sprinkle flour on top.

After that, place parchment paper over the dough ball and begin flattening with a rolling pin. You want to roll the dough until it’s approximately ¼ to ½ inch thickness.

Then cut the dough into shapes using a gingerbread man cookie cutter. However, you can use any cookie cutters of choice. Plus, be sure to reroll the scraps of dough, so none goes to waste.

Next, place the shapes on the prepared baking sheet and bake the cookies for 9 minutes. After 9 minutes, rotate the pan, flip the cookies over, and bake for another 6 minutes. Then, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Steps to Make Gingerbread Man Doggy Cookie Icing

First, blend the cream cheese, honey, and yogurt with an electric mixer until smooth. This is a great consistency for piping onto the cookies.

However, this consistency might not work for you. So, add one tablespoon of flour at a time until you reach a desired consistency.

Then, decorate the cookies the way you see fit. If you want a little color, then add two to three drops of food coloring to the icing. I used white for the eyes, mouth, hair, arms and legs, then alternated red and green for buttons.

If you don’t want to do this extra step of icing, then you can skip it. I promise your dog will love these cookies even without the icing. I shared a plain cookie with each of my dogs and they stood there begging for more.

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In Conclusion

As always, my favorite part of baking homemade dog treats is sharing them with Bella and Edward. For instance, it is a fun bonding experience with them. Somehow they always know when I’m in the kitchen creating something just for them.

So, when you’re baking delicious goodies for Christmas, don’t forget your dog. Give them a surprise by making these gingerbread cookies for dogs. And while you’re at it, whip up a batch of gingerbread man cookies for the humans.

Then, have a little fun with your family and friends and refuse to tell them which is which. Other than size, these dog treats are indistinguishable to the eye from human treats.

How have you used ginger or molasses in your homemade dog treats? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to read about it.

You might want to try these recipes from the Dog Chef section here on the blog:

You can save this recipe to your Pinterest account by using one of the following images.

Gingerbread Man Doggy Cookies

Yields: 72 small cookies

Spoil your doggy this holiday season with these fun and easy gingerbread cookies for dogs. The ginger and molasses in these cookies will tantalize your dog. Plus, the icing is festive bringing the gingerbread men to life.

Servings

Ingredients

Cookie Ingredients

3 cups oat flour (see note #1)
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
1½ tsp ground ginger (see note #2)
¾ cup unsweetened applesauce (see note #3)
3 tbsp molasses (see note #4)
2 tbsp olive oil

Icing Ingredients

4 oz cream cheese low or fat-free
1 tbsp honey
1 to 2 tbsp plain yogurt low or fat-free
1 to 3 tbsp oat flour to thicken if needed
2 to 3 drops natural food coloring optional

Instructions

Cookie Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk the dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, ginger) together.
In a small bowl, add the wet ingredients (applesauce, molasses, and oil) and beat until combined.
Slowly mix the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredient mixture, stirring until thoroughly combined and uniform in color.
Use your hands to finish combining, making sure the dough is a play-doh consistency (see note #5), and form into a dough ball.
Place the dough ball on a non-stick baking mat, parchment paper, or a clean work surface sprinkled with flour. (Separate the dough into separate dough balls for easier rolling.)
Place a piece of parchment paper over the dough ball and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough until it is approximately ¼ to ½ inch thickness.
Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter or cookie cutters of choice to cut shapes. (Be sure to reroll the scraps of dough, so none goes to waste.)
Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheet between ½ inch to 1 inch apart.
Bake the cookies for 9 minutes. Rotate the pan, flip the cookies over, and bake on the other side for another 6 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Icing Instructions

In a small mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, honey, and yogurt until smooth.
Mix in one tablespoon of flour at a time until you reach a desired consistency for spreading or piping onto cookies.
For an optional effect, add two to three drops of food coloring to the icing and mix.
Decorate the cookies as you see fit.

Notes

#1 – You can substitute the oat flour with other grain or gluten free flours. If your dog isn’t wheat sensitive, then you can use whole wheat flour. I do not recommend all purpose flour. If you substitute flour, then start with 1 cup and add to the batter as needed.

#2 – Do not use gingerbread spice that contains nutmeg, clove, and allspice. Nutmeg is toxic for dogs. Clove and allspice contain a compound called eugenol, which is toxic for cats, and could put dogs at risk.

#3 – If you can find blackstrap molasses, use it because it is less sweet than any other molasses. If you can’t, then use dark molasses over light molasses. The light molasses contains the most sugar. Plus, read the labels to make sure there is no xylitol or other artificial sweeteners.

#4 – Make sure the applesauce is unsweetened. Check labels for xylitol, because it is toxic to dogs. You can replace the ¾ unsweetened applesauce with 3 eggs.

#5 – The dough texture is similar to play-doh, soft and not sticky, but slightly tacky and easy to work with. If the dough is dry and crumbly, try adding ½ teaspoon at a time of water until easy to work with. If the dough is wet, or too soft, try adding 1 tablespoon at a time of flour until easy to work with.

#6 – Store the cookie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or the freezer for up to a month.

#7 – Your dog will love these cookies even without the icing, so feel free to skip it.

The post Gingerbread Cookies for Dogs – Fun Holiday Treat appeared first on Snoot and Toebeans.

Banana Nut Muffins for Dogs – So Good!

Jeana — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 23:58:25 +0000

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Edward takes a sniff before getting up to eat a banana nut muffin.

What do you do when you have eight black bananas? I will tell you what I do. First, I make some yummy, mini loaves of banana nut bread for my husband. However, I can’t forget about Bella and Edward! So, I whip up some banana nut muffins for dogs.

I always use pecans in my banana nut bread. However, after some research, I knew pecans would not work in these banana nut muffins for dogs. For instance, the Spruce Pets blog suggests not sharing pecans with your dog.

Their reasoning is pecans are considered to be toxic to dogs due to their ability to grow mold. Therefore, this could lead to GI distress, intestinal blockages, or other serious symptoms like seizures.

But, I want these banana nut muffins for dogs to have nuts! Why? I love pecans in my banana nut bread, so I want my dogs to experience the same. Plus, nuts are beneficial for humans and some nuts can be for dogs.

How to Achieve a Nut Flavor in Banana Nut Muffins for Dogs

Don’t use almonds in their nut form!

So, my research began! For instance, it was easy to rule out any nuts in their nut form, because of choking hazards. Therefore, came the idea to use a nut butter to create banana nut muffins for dogs.

Bella is allergic to peanuts, so peanut butter is off the list in any recipes for her. My go to nut butter is almond butter when creating her treats. Therefore, deciding on almond butter for these banana nut muffins for dogs proves a great choice.

By the way, almond butter and peanut butter are great for pill giving. Bella takes three pills in the morning and evening for congestive heart failure. So, with peanut butter off the shelf, almond butter is great for replacing it.

Although almond butter is not toxic for dogs, some dogs’ digestive systems can’t handle it. Therefore, be cautious in giving almond butter to your dog. You don’t want your dog to have an upset tummy, or other gastric issue.

However, these banana nut muffins for dogs only contain a half cup of almond butter. Furthermore, that half cup is dispersed through 20 mini muffins. Therefore, each treat doesn’t contain very much almond butter. However, still be cautious.

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Banana Nut Muffins for Dogs Are Healthy With Almond Butter

Some nuts can be beneficial for dogs and almonds happen to be one of those. However, you want to be sure they are in a butter form and not a nut form. If you have given your dog a taste and they tolerate almond butter, then there are some benefits.

Benefits of Almond Butter

B3 provides a shiny coat, healthy eyes, and liver
Vitamin E helps fight free radicals to decrease cancer risk
Immune system is stronger due to vitamin E content
Calcium and phosphorus help with healthy bones and joints

However, make sure the almond butter doesn’t contain any additional oils, salt, sugar, or another sweetener like honey. In addition, avoid reduced almond butter or any almond butter containing Xylitol.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can be fatal for your dog. This goes for peanut butter, too!

Let’s Bake Banana Nut Muffins for Dogs

This recipe for banana nut muffins for dogs is called, “Banana Nut ‘Mutt’fins’.” I love to make a play on words with dog references. So, when I get an opportunity to do that in my recipe titles, I have fun doing it.

Ingredients for Banana Nut Muffins for Dogs

coconut flour
chia seeds
cinnamon
coconut oil
almond butter
eggs
mashed banana

Directions to Follow for Banana Nut Muffins for Dogs

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. I love baking with silicone pans. So, if you use a silicone muffin pan, you will not need to use cooking spray.

Secondly, whisk together the coconut flour, chia seeds, and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl. Then, beat the eggs with a fork in another bowl. To this, add the coconut oil, almond butter, and mashed banana.

Thirdly, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Then, mix all of the ingredients together with a spoon until thoroughly combined. Your batter should be a little thick.

However, the consistency of the batter will depend on the eggs and the almond butter. For instance, eggs labeled large aren’t always large and sometimes they are either medium or extra large.

Furthermore, the almond butter consistency seems to be different with every brand. Some are thick and creamy, yet some are very oily making the consistency runny. The brand I have on hand right now happens to be runny.

So, my batter was not thick and the muffins turned out great. However, if you want a thicker batter, you can add a little more coconut flour.

Fourthly, spoon the batter in the muffin pan cups until full and bake for 25 minutes. The muffins will not rise, so it’s okay to fill them to the top. After they bake, the muffins will be dense.

Next, remove the muffins from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Lastly, store the muffins in an airtight container once they are completely cool. They will keep for up to two weeks, if you place the container in the refrigerator. In addition, you can freeze them for up to four weeks.

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In Conclusion

Edward

My favorite part of baking these banana nut muffins for dogs is sharing them with Bella and Edward. They always love the treats their momma bakes them. Plus, it’s a bonding experience for us.

They seem to always know when I’m baking something for them. For instance, they are right under foot while I’m preparing. So, of course I talk to them about what I’m doing.

Bella

Murphy (left) and Izzy (right)

Murphy and his sister, Izzy got to eat some muffins, too! Bella and Edward shared treats (muffins) for Halloween, since these were baked close to the holiday.

What treats do you share with your dog/s for Halloween? We would love to read about them in the comments below.

Speaking of treats, we have lots of great treat recipes in the Dog Chef section of our blog. Here are a couple containing almond butter that you might like to try.

Or, maybe you want to try these recipes containing bananas.

You can save this post with the recipe to Pinterest by using one of the following images.

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I’ll Take One!!

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I’ll Take One!!

Banana Nut Mutt-fins

This recipe yields 20 mini muffins. Your dog will love these bread-like treats made with bananas and almond butter. For a small dog, you might just want to give them a ¼ to ½ of a mini muffin at a time.

Servings mini muffin

Calories 1548kcal

Ingredients

½ cup coconut flour
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp coconut oil
½ cup almond butter
2 large eggs
1 mashed banana

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prep a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. (see note #1)
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, chia seeds, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, beat the eggs with a fork, then add the coconut oil, almond butter, and mashed banana.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix together with a spoon until thoroughly combined. (see note #2)
Spoon the batter into the muffin pan cups until full. (see note #3)
Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Once completely cooled, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Notes

If you use a silicone muffin pan like I did, you will not need to use cooking spray.
The consistency of the batter will depend on the eggs and the almond butter. Eggs labeled large aren’t always large. Sometimes they are either medium or extra large. The almond butter consistency seems to be different with every brand. The brand I used was runny. So, my batter was not thick and still turned out great. If you want a thicker batter, add a little more coconut flour.
The muffins will not rise, so it’s okay to fill them to the top. After they bake, the muffins will be dense.

Make sure the almond butter doesn’t contain xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs.
Peanut butter can be substituted for the almond butter.

Nutrition

The post Banana Nut Muffins for Dogs – So Good! appeared first on Snoot and Toebeans.

Anti-Inflammatory Treats for Dogs – Relief!

Jeana — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 21:04:03 +0000

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“Muddy”

Inflammation happens in dogs just like it does in humans. So, when my cousin asked if I could make anti-inflammatory treats for dogs, I obliged. However, I told him I would have to do extensive research.

First, I wanted to know why he was requesting anti-inflammatory treats for dogs. The answer…his neighbor’s dog injured his leg jumping up on a fence and it was swelling. Yes, they took him to the vet and yes, he is taking vet prescribed medicine.

However, they were in search of something they could do naturally for their dog. So, my research began to develop a recipe for anti-inflammatory treats for dogs. Consequently my hope is to help a 95-pound golden retriever named Muddy feel some relief from inflammation.

Research Behind Anti-Inflammatory Treats for Dogs

Most importantly, dog parents need to understand that inflammation is not always a bad thing. Why? It is a necessary response from a dog’s body when trying to heal from an illness or injury. To clarify, inflammation is meant to protect the body.

On the other hand, when inflammation becomes chronic, it is hard for healing to occur. As a result, dogs, just like humans, suffer in pain from chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation can be caused by a number of reasons. For instance, stress, pollutants, unhealed injuries, or arthritis can be a culprit. Therefore, it’s important to figure out the cause of the inflammation to help reduce it for your dog.

For example, with an injury, make sure that your dog has plenty of rest before resuming activities. Plus, major life changes can cause emotional stress. So, figure out ways to reassure your dog that everything will be okay.

You can also make sure your dog’s diet doesn’t include foods known to cause inflammation. For instance, grains like wheat and barley should be avoided. Furthermore, keep your dog away from eggplant, potatoes, soy, and corn.

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However, you can include healthy foods in your dog’s diet that are known to help reduce inflammation. For example, the ingredients in anti-inflammatory treats for dogs will help reduce inflammation.

Buckwheat Flour in Anti-inflammatory Treats for Dogs

There are so many flours on the market now to experiment with when making dog treats. Furthermore, this was my first time using buckwheat flour in a dog treat recipe. It is a pseudograins flour made from roasted buckwheat.

To clarify, pseudograins aren’t seeds of grasses, but rather seeds of broadleaf plants. Buckwheat flour is a great source of dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and plant proteins.

However, it’s the rutin in buckwheat flour making it a good choice for anti-inflammatory treats for dogs. Rutin is a flavonoid used to make medicine. Furthermore, it is most commonly used for swelling in the arms or legs caused by lymph system damage.

To clarify, the rutin in buckwheat flour may reduce inflammation. Plus, it may reduce blood pressure and fight cancer. Buckwheat also boasts an impressive amount of minerals and vitamins necessary for healthy body functions.

Salmon in Anti-inflammatory Treats for Dogs

According to the AKC, salmon is safe for dogs and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. It’s omega-3 fats that support the immune system and can lower inflammation in the body. Therefore, salmon is a great ingredient to add to anti-inflammatory treats for dogs.

Therefore, giving your dog salmon in a homemade treat can be a natural way to decrease inflammation. Plus, it can help relieve pain, and stiffness associated with arthritis. As a result, mobility will be improved.

Salmon is also a good protein source, and can keep your dog’s skin healthy and coat shiny. In addition, omega-3s are linked to improving heart and vascular function, and improving cognitive health. Furthermore, the vitamin A in salmon helps with vision and eye health.

Blueberries in Anti-inflammatory Treats for Dogs

These small juicy berries are filled with minerals and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. Therefore, blueberries make a great choice to add to anti-inflammatory treats for dogs.

In addition, blueberries are a great source of vitamin C, which helps keep connective tissues healthy. Plus, you can just give your dog blueberries as a snack.

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Turmeric in Anti-inflammatory Treats for Dogs

Although the above ingredients have health benefits, turmeric is the star of these anti-inflammatory treats for dogs. Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, has been proven to help reduce inflammation in canines in recent studies.

“Even though turmeric hasn’t been studied extensively in pets, it still continues to benefit animals because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has passed many tests for inclusion in animal foods.”
Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, DVM, CCRT

The proper turmeric dosage will vary by the size of your dog. Dogs Naturally Magazine recommends ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon per day for every 10 pounds in weight.

A rough starting point could look like the following:

1-10 lbs.: ⅛ to ¼ tsp
10-20 lbs: ¼ to ½ tsp
20-50 lbs: ½ to 1 ¼ tsp
50-100 lbs: 1 ¼ to 2 ½ tsp

However, turmeric doesn’t absorb well into the body on its own. Therefore, it’s better to mix it with a healthy fat or some black pepper. You can make a “golden paste” for your dog or add turmeric to homemade dog treats.

Be sure to try our recipe for anti-inflammatory treats for dogs, but also try this “golden paste” recipe…

Ingredients:

½ cup organic turmeric powder
1 to 1 ½ cups filtered or spring water
1 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup organic MCT oil or ghee

Directions:

Mix the turmeric with water in a pan.
Stir the liquid on low/medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes to form a thick paste. (If too thick, add more water; if too watery, add more turmeric.)
Add the pepper and oil and stir thoroughly.
Allow the mixture to cool and place in a jar with a lid in the refrigerator. This will keep for up to two weeks.

Let’s Make Anti-Inflammatory Treats for Dogs

In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, the olive oil and cinnamon provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

These anti-inflammatory treats for dogs are made with responsibly sourced products. With the exception of the black pepper and olive oil, everything else was purchased at my local Sprouts. So, the products are organic.

Yes! I Want It!

However, you can opt to make these treats with non-organic products. Your dog will still beg for more without knowing how healthy this treat is.

Furthermore, this recipe yields 36 large bone and dog shaped treats. I could probably cut four small bone shaped treats per large bone. So, maybe that gives you an idea of how many small treats this recipe can yield.

Ingredients Needed to Make Muddy’s Munchies

wild caught Alaskan salmon (boneless, skinless, and no added salt)
blueberries (organic)
extra virgin olive oil
ghee (organic)
buckwheat flour (organic)
turmeric (organic)
cinnamon (organic)
black pepper

Directions to Make Muddy’s Munchies

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Secondly, drain two small cans of salmon and add this to a medium bowl. Then, use a fork to break apart the chunks of salmon.

Thirdly, purée a small carton of blueberries in a blender or mash them with a fork. Then, add this to the medium bowl with the salmon.

Next, add the olive oil and ghee to the medium bowl of salmon and blueberry purée.

Then in a small bowl, mix the buckwheat flour, turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper together. Add this bowl of dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and thoroughly combine with a spoon.

After that, dust your hands with buckwheat flour and knead the mixture into a dough ball. The dough will feel a little wet and sticky, so you might add a little more flour.

However, I left the dough ball a little wet and sticky and placed it on parchment paper. Then, I added another strip of parchment paper on top of the dough ball. I rolled the dough ball flat with a rolling pin about an ⅛ to ¼ inch thick.

Next…

Dip cookie cutters of your choice in all purpose flour and cut the dough into desired shapes. I used large dog shaped and bone shaped cookie cutters for the treats I made for Muddy. I cut out some smaller bone shapes for my fur babies, Bella and Edward.

After that, place the shapes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes. Then, turn the shapes over and bake for another 7 minutes.

Lastly, take the shapes out of the oven and thoroughly cool on a cooling rack before storing.

You can store these treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Or, you can store them in the freezer for up to a month.

In Conclusion

These anti-inflammatory treats for dogs were designed for Muddy, however I’ll be using this recipe again. Both Bella and Edward are senior dogs, and arthritis is beginning to settle in.

When I shared these treats with them, they immediately wanted another one. Therefore, these treats will be an easy remedy for the stiffness and inflammation caused by arthritis.

You might want to try these other treat recipes in the Dog Chef section of our blog…

Which of these ingredients have you tried with your dog to reduce inflammation? We would love to read about your experience in the comments below.

Do you have a way to naturally boost your dog’s health? Please share with us in the comments below.

You can save this post and recipe to your Pinterest account by pinning one of the following images.

Muddy’s Munchies

This anti-inflammatory treat for dogs is made with responsibly sourced organic products. Each ingredient helps to reduce inflammation for us humans and our dogs. Turmeric is a common ingredient in pain remedies. Your dog will beg for more without knowing just how healthy this treat is.

Servings large bone and dog shaped treats

Calories 3kcal

Ingredients

2 6-ounce cans wild caught Alaskan salmon in water (no salt added, boneless, skinless)
1 6-ounce carton blueberries (¼ cup purée)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp organic ghee
1½ cups organic buckwheat flour
⅛ cup organic turmeric
1 tsp organic cinnamon
pinch black pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Drain the two cans of salmon, and add to a medium bowl. Use a fork to break apart the chunks of salmon.
Purée the carton of blueberries in a blender or mash them with a fork, and add to the medium bowl with salmon.
Add the olive oil and ghee and thoroughly mix together with the salmon and blueberry purée.
In a small bowl, mix the buckwheat flour, turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper together.
Add the bowl of dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients, and thoroughly combine with a spoon.
Dust your hands with buckwheat flour, and knead the mixture into a dough ball.
Place the dough ball on parchment paper on the countertop. Place another strip of parchment paper on top of the dough ball.
Roll the dough ball flat with a rolling pin about an ⅛ to ¼ inch thick.
Dip cookie cutters of choice in all purpose flour, and cut the dough into desired shapes.
Place the shapes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 15 minutes, turn the shapes over, and bake for another 7 minutes.
Take out of the oven, and place on a cooling rack to thoroughly cool before storing.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for up to a month.

Notes

The curcumin in turmeric doesn’t absorb well into the body on its own. It needs to be mixed with a healthy fat or a pinch of black pepper.
I like to use Ceylon cinnamon in dog treats and here’s why. However, for these treats I was unable to find it, so I opted for organic cinnamon.
You don’t have to use organic products.

Nutrition

The post Anti-Inflammatory Treats for Dogs – Relief! appeared first on Snoot and Toebeans.

Homemade Dog Treats With Blueberries – Yummy!

Jeana — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 02:18:37 +0000

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It’s summer and one of the most popular fruits in the USA are blueberries. However, blueberries aren’t enjoyed by just Americans, our dogs love them, too! Furthermore, homemade dog treats with blueberries are a “thing”.

And, why not? Blueberries aren’t just tasty, they are also a superfood that both you and your dog can benefit from. However, fruit isn’t needed for your dog to have a healthy, balanced diet. After all, they are omnivorous. To clarify, they require a combination of animal and plant based ingredients.

Although it’s not necessary to supplement your dog’s diet with fruits, it’s fun to use them as treats. For example, your dog will find homemade dog treats with blueberries to be yummy. And, you can rest assured that you are giving your dog a treat with great health benefits.

However, dogs can’t eat all of the fruit out there! For instance, grapes and raisins are a big no-no! So, before feeding your dog any fruit, check out this list from the AKC. As a result you’ll discover which fruits are safe and which aren’t.

Are you wondering if blueberries made the safe list? Guess I’ve already pretty much established that dogs can eat blueberries. However, I haven’t shared the health benefits of making homemade dog treats with blueberries. So, let’s get to it!

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Health Benefits From Homemade Dog Treats With Blueberries

First of all, these little blue wonders are the perfect choice for boosting your dog’s health. Along with their sweet and tart flavor, blueberries burst with vitamins and minerals. Plus, blueberries boast the highest amount of antioxidants for a fruit.

Furthermore, they are high in fiber, low in calories and contain phytochemicals and anthocyanins. So, whether you have a puppy or a senior, blueberries will add a healthy punch to their diet.

Vitamins A, C, and K found in blueberries boosts your dog’s immune system and helps to reduce inflammation. Without pain and swelling from inflammation, dogs have more agility.

Plus, these vitamins help support the quality of your dog’s skin, coat, muscles, and nerves. They also help increase bone density. Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium help to support bone growth.

Blueberries are probably best known for their antioxidant properties. Which, by the way, are an integral part of our human diets as well as our dogs. For instance, antioxidants fight free-radicals responsible for cellular and molecular damage.

In addition, antioxidants help slow down the aging process and cognitive dysfunction in senior dogs. Furthermore, they can benefit your dog’s heart health, such as helping to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, blueberries contain phytochemicals, which is a chemical compound found in plants. Therefore, studies show a link to blueberries helping fight cancer of the colon, bladder and small intestine.

Lastly, the anthocyanins found in blueberries work with the antioxidants to lower the risk of arthritis and diabetes. They also help to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

How to Prepare Blueberries for Dogs

Other than homemade dog treats with blueberries, you can give your dog one right from the container. For instance, this would be considered giving your dog fresh blueberries in their raw state.

However, before doing so, make sure to rinse them well with water and inspect for any moldy berries. Then it is safe to offer one to your dog. Blueberries are soft and easy to chew and the risk of choking is low.

In addition, you can give your dog frozen blueberries as a refreshing treat on a hot day. However, to avoid choking, only offer one or two at a time if your dog is medium to large in size. If you have a small breed dog, it would be best to let the blueberries thaw out first.

Purée the blueberries and add them to your dog’s food. Plus, you can add blueberry purée to plain yogurt and serve it to your dog as a smoothie. However, make sure there are no added sugars or preservatives and you can use nonfat yogurt.

Furthermore, you can add blueberry purée to the yogurt and freeze it in ice cube trays. You can also try adding it to coconut water. Either way, it’s great for a hydrating treat on a summer day.

Adding blueberries to your dog’s diet is great but, the saying, “too much of a good thing” applies.

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How Many Blueberries are a Safe Amount to Offer Dogs?

Just like with any fruit, vegetable, or treat, giving it in moderation to your dog is key. For instance, treats of any kind should only encompass 10 percent of your dog’s diet.

Too much of any food can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Therefore, most small dogs can have approximately six to eight blueberries at a time. A larger dog can tolerate more. However, with both small and large dogs, keep the ratio of 10 percent in mind.

With the following recipe for homemade dog treats with blueberries, your dog should tolerate the amount used.

Making Homemade Dog Treats With Blueberries

I love creating recipes for Bella and Edward from leftover human food. For instance, I had half of a baked sweet potato in the refrigerator not being eaten. Plus, part of a large carton of blueberries was a day away from going bad. Those two ingredients are both of my dogs’ favorites. So, Blueberry Barkies came into existence in my kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Blueberry Barkies

sweet potato purée
blueberry purée
organic quick rolled oats
cinnamon (Ceylon or organic)
coconut flour

Preparing Blueberry Barkies Step by Step

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, gather your ingredients.

Secondly, cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Next, cover a countertop with parchment paper dusted with all purpose flour.

Thirdly, blend the whole blueberries in a blender to create a purée. You can use store bought blueberry purée if you can find it without any added sugar.

After that, blend half of a baked sweet potato to create a purée. Again, you can opt to use store bought sweet potato purée. However, there does not need to be any added sugar.

Next in a small bowl, mix together the blueberry and sweet potato purées. In another small bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.

Then, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well blended. After stirring with a spoon, finish with your hands to completely mix.

After that, form the mixture into a dough ball and place on the flour covered parchment paper. Gently use a flour covered rolling pin to flatten the dough to ⅛ to ¼ inches.

Next, use flour covered cookie cutters of your choice to form shapes. Then, place the shapes on the parchment paper covered cookie sheet and bake for nine minutes.

After that, turn all of the shapes over and bake for another five minutes. Then, remove the cookie sheet from the oven.

Lastly, place the baked shapes on a cooling rack to thoroughly cool before sharing with your dog.

Yes! I Want It!

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to make homemade dog treats with blueberries, you can experiment with other berries. For instance, substitute the blueberries in this recipe with strawberries.

However, not all berries are good for dogs. Keep your dog away from cherries, holly berries, juniper berries, bane berries, poke berries, and mistletoe berries. For instance, the pits and/or chemicals can be a health hazard for your dog.

My favorite part of making homemade dog treats with blueberries is sharing them with Bella and Edward. They watch every single step I make preparing the treats and wait so patiently.

How do you share blueberries with your dog? We would love to hear about it in the comments below.

What would you do differently with this recipe? Drop your ideas in the comments below. We love reading suggestions.

Your dog wants you to try these other berry treats from the Dog Chef section of our blog:

Berry Parfait Biscuits
Blackberry Bark Bites

Or, check out this post about what human foods dogs can safely eat.

If you would like to save this post with the recipe, use one of the images below to pin to Pinterest. You also have the option to print the recipe below.

Blueberry Barkies

These dog treats with blueberry and sweet potato purée are sure to make your fur baby happy. With the coconut flour and cinnamon, these dog treats will have your kitchen smelling scrumptious. In fact, the smell will have you tasting these treats. Although, they are perfectly edible for human consumption, they may taste a little bland to your palate. However, your dog’s palate will be delighted!

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 14

Total Time 34

Servings small bone shaped treats

Calories 7kcal

Ingredients

½ cup sweet potato purée (½ of a baked sweet potato)
1 cup blueberry purée (small carton whole blueberries)
½ cup organic quick rolled oats
½ tsp Ceylon cinnamon
1 cup coconut flour

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper and the countertop with parchment paper dusted with all purpose flour.
Blend whole blueberries in a blender to create a purée and blend half of a baked sweet potato in a blender to create a purée.
In a small bowl, mix together the blueberry and sweet potato purées.
In another small bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well blended. After stirring with a spoon, finish with your hands to completely mix.
Form the mixture into a dough ball and place on the flour covered parchment paper.
Gently use a flour covered rolling pin to flatten the dough to ⅛ to ¼ inches.
Use flour covered cookie cutters of your choice to form shapes.
Place the shapes on the parchment paper covered cookie sheet and bake for 9 minutes.
Turn all of the shapes over and bake for another 5 minutes.
Place the baked shapes on a cooling rack to thoroughly cool.

Notes

If the dough is sticky, add some more coconut flour or all purpose flour. Or, if it is too dry, add a little water.
Bake for longer if a crunchier treat is desired. Or, bake for less if a softer treat is desired. These were soft baked.
You can opt to use store bought blueberry and sweet potato purées. However, there absolutely can’t be any added sugar.

Nutrition

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Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs – Healthy + Yummy

Jeana — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 04:29:31 +0000

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Your furry family member will be waking you up early for these pumpkin pancakes for dogs. However, you don’t have to feed them these pancakes just for breakfast. Well, I guess you could! Nonetheless, you might as well save them as a special treat for anytime of the day.

These pumpkin pancakes for dogs are seriously healthy for your fur baby. For starters, the pumpkin purée adds so many nutrients to make these pancakes healthy. For instance, you can read here how pumpkin is a nutrient powerhouse for your dog.

However, the pumpkin in these pumpkin pancakes for dogs isn’t the only healthy ingredient. Unsweetened applesauce delivers a healthy punch. To clarify, you can read here about the health benefits your dog can derive from eating unsweetened applesauce.

In addition, the heartiness of these pumpkin pancakes for dogs comes from the quick rolled oats. Find out here why I added oats to these dog pancakes.

So, when deciding on which ingredients would work in this recipe, I kept contemplating the use of milk. For instance, I always use milk when making pancakes for my husband and I. However, I haven’t used milk in any of my dog treat recipes.

Furthermore, I’m not sure why I haven’t used milk, other than the controversy among pet nutritionists. For example, some pet nutritionists say milk and dairy products are safe for our dogs. On the other hand, some blame them for all sorts of dog health issues.

Most importantly, many dog treats on the market and dog treat recipes contain milk. Therefore, is it a safe and healthy ingredient to include in these pumpkin pancakes for dogs?

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Cow’s Milk in Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs

After researching the above question, I found the answer to be yes. Yes, milk is a safe and healthy ingredient to include in these pumpkin pancakes for dogs.

However, it is important to note that this also depends on your dog. For instance, some dogs are lactose intolerant or even allergic to milk and dairy products.

Furthermore, most lactose intolerant dogs are not born that way. In fact, just like with people, lactose intolerance usually develops during adulthood.

Common Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance:

Bloating
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting

Therefore, observe your dog for any signs of sensitivities when feeding dairy products. Plus, it’s good practice to observe unusual signs when giving your dog something not usually in their diet.

In addition, milk ingredient treat recipes contain a minimal amount. To clarify, the measured amount of milk is small and dispersed into several small treats.

Therefore, if your dog shows no signs of intolerance, milk is a healthy ingredient to add to treats. Milk is a good source of nutrients like protein and calcium. In addition, milk provides important vitamins such as, D and B12.

Nevertheless, as already pointed out, the main issue with giving milk to dogs is the potential for intolerance. So, if you are uncomfortable with this ingredient, there are alternatives.

For instance, you can substitute the cow’s milk with goat’s milk. Plus, you can use plant based milks such as almond, oat, coconut, and soy. Pippa at the Labrador Site covers these alternatives more thoroughly.

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Let’s Make Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs

These pumpkin pancakes for dogs are healthy and yummy. In addition, the almond butter glaze gives an added flavor. Other toppings you can add are blueberries, strawberries, or bananas. However, dogs are perfectly happy eating these pancakes plain.

This recipe is called Pumpkin Pup Pancakes with Almond Butter Glaze.

Pancake Ingredients Needed:

quick rolled oats
Ceylon cinnamon
ground ginger
organic pumpkin purée
organic unsweetened applesauce
2% cow’s milk

Glaze Ingredients Needed:

almond butter
melted coconut oil

Pancakes Step by Step

First, put the oats, cinnamon, and ginger in a blender or food processor. Then, blend these three ingredients for about 60 seconds until finely ground. I used a small food processor I purchased at my local Bed Bath & Beyond.

Secondly, in a small mixing bowl, stir together the pumpkin purée, applesauce, and milk. Most importantly, make sure the applesauce is unsweetened. If you would rather use eggs, substitute with two. Plus, DO NOT use pumpkin pie filling. You can also make your own pumpkin purée and applesauce. I love using organic whenever possible.

Thirdly, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until evenly combined. You want the batter to be liquidy similar to pancake batter you make for yourself. However, it will not be as smooth because of the ground rolled oats.

Then, lightly coat the surface of a non-stick pan with coconut oil and heat at medium. You can use olive oil instead of coconut oil. Furthermore, you’ll know the pan is hot enough when a drop of water sizzles on it.

Next, pour a ⅛ cup or 1 tablespoon of batter onto the pan.

Continue pouring three to four scoops. While scooping, quickly shape each one into a circle using the edge of a spoon or butter knife.

After that, let the pancakes cook for two to three minutes until firm enough to flip. It’s important to note that you will not see the bubbling like normal pancake batter does. Once the underside is lightly golden, flip the pancakes with a spatula. Then, cook for another 90 seconds to 2 minutes.

Next, place the cooked pancakes on a cookie sheet to cool. Then, lightly oil the pan in between, repeating the above steps until all of the batter is gone.

Glaze Step by Step

First, melt the coconut oil in the microwave for 20 seconds. Again, you can substitute with olive oil.

Secondly, in a small bowl, mix the coconut oil and almond butter together until smooth. In addition, you can substitute with peanut butter for the almond butter. My Bella is allergic to peanut butter, so I use almond butter for treat recipes.

I’ll Take One!!

In Conclusion

Above all, the best part of making homemade dog treats is sharing them with your fur baby. My two eagerly await for me to finish and one treat never seems to satisfy.

You can store these pumpkin pancakes for dogs in an airtight container or storage baggie. Then, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. In addition, you can keep them in the freezer for up to three weeks.

Furthermore, I found that it is easier to store the pancakes and glaze separately. Therefore, you can add the glaze whenever you serve a pancake to your dog. Plan to store the glaze in an airtight container. Plus, you can leave it in the pantry or on top of the kitchen countertop.

What variations would you add to these pumpkin pancakes for dogs? We would love to read about your creativeness in the comments below.

We have other recipes in our Dog Chef section that include pumpkin purée, unsweetened applesauce, or rolled oats. You might want to try these:

You can use one of the following images to save to Pinterest or share on social media.

Yes! I Want It!

Pumpkin Pup Pancakes

Yields: 19 TBSP-scoop pancakes and 15 ⅛-cup scoop pancakes

These pumpkin pancakes for dogs are healthy and yummy. The almond butter glaze gives an added flavor. Other toppings to add are blueberries, strawberries, or bananas. However, dogs are perfectly happy eating these pancakes plain.

Servings

Ingredients

Pancake Ingredients

1⅔ cups quick rolled oats organic
1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 cup pumpkin purée organic
½ cup unsweetened applesauce organic
¾ cup 2% cow’s milk

Almond Butter Glaze Ingredients

½ cup almond butter organic
1 tbsp coconut oil melted

Instructions

Pancake Directions

Put the oats, cinnamon, and ginger in a blender or food processor. Blend until finely ground; about 60 seconds.
In a small mixing bowl, stir together the pumpkin purée, applesauce, and milk.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until evenly combined.
Lightly coat the surface of a non-stick pan with coconut oil and heat at medium. The surface of the pan is hot enough when a drop of water sizzles on it.
Pour a ⅛ cup or 1 tablespoon of batter onto the pan. Continue pouring three to four scoops and shape into a circle using the edge of a spoon or butter knife.
Let the pancakes cook for 2 to 3 minutes until firm enough to flip. Once the underside is lightly golden, flip the pancakes with a spatula. Cook for another 90 seconds to 2 minutes.
Place the cooked pancakes on a cookie sheet to cool.
Lightly oil the pan in between and repeat steps 5, 6, and 7until all of the batter is gone.

Almond Butter Glaze Directions

Melt 1 TBSP of coconut oil for 20 seconds in the microwave.
In a small bowl, mix the coconut oil and almond butter together until smooth.

Notes

Store the pancakes in an airtight container or storage baggie and refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to three weeks. Store the glaze in an airtight container and it can be left in the pantry or on the counter.
Peanut butter can be substituted for the almond butter in the glaze.
Olive oil can be substituted for the coconut oil in the glaze.
The pancakes can be served without the almond butter glaze. The glaze is an additional flavor.
The pancakes can also be served with blueberries, strawberries, or bananas.
Two eggs can be substituted for the ½ cup of applesauce.
Goat’s milk, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk can be substituted for cow’s milk.
The applesauce MUST BE unsweetened. MUST use pumpkin purée and NOT pumpkin pie filling.

The post Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs – Healthy + Yummy appeared first on Snoot and Toebeans.

Bacon Cheese Dog Treats – a Yummy Recipe!

Jeana — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 03:01:00 +0000

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Have you ever eaten bacon cheeseburger sliders? It’s total comfort food, right? Comfort food is the inspiration behind this recipe for bacon cheese dog treats. Plus, it is the inspiration to name these treats, doggy bacon cheeseburger sliders.

However, I will be honest, these bacon cheese dog treats are not the healthiest! Therefore, I made the effort to increase the nutritional value by adding almond and rice flours.

So, why did I create a dog treat recipe that isn’t high in nutritional value? Well, my fur babies absolutely love cheese and bacon! However, I only give it to them in very small portions and at separate times. Both of these human foods have high fat content.

Nevertheless, I wanted to create a treat that has both products in it. Therefore, they can enjoy the taste of them together. I like serving them bacon cheese dog treats, because they get both products in small portions.

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The Bacon and Cheese in Bacon Cheese Dog Treats

So, when it comes to the ingredients in these bacon cheese dog treats, bacon is the guiltiest. To clarify, it is the guiltiest in the unhealthy department. So, let’s talk about bacon. Furthermore, I want to talk about cheese in this post as well.

Can Dogs Eat Bacon?

Of course dogs love bacon! And, there’s nothing about bacon that’s truly unsafe for your dog. In fact, it’s not even named in the ASPCA’s list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets. Furthermore, bacon is an ingredient in an abundance of dog treats and some dog foods.

Bacon is not going to hurt your dog in small amounts. However, bacon is an incredibly rich and fatty food with a high salt content. So, this is where it is guilty of being unhealthy.

Therefore, too much fatty, salty foods can lead to obesity or heart-related diseases. Some dogs are especially sensitive to fatty foods which can prove to be too much for their stomach.

Furthermore, eating a large amount can cause pancreatitis, which can be fatal. If your dog vomits after eating bacon, call your vet and avoid giving bacon in the future.

Bacon is fine for most dogs when given as a small treat. However, as a general rule, it is preferable to give lean proteins like cooked bits of chicken or fish.

Yet, if you want your dog to enjoy bacon, then try the healthier option. For instance, it is healthier to give your dog bacon as an ingredient in treats or food. Consequently, bacon cheese dog treats have a small amount of bacon in them. Plus, you can give these treats in moderation.

Yes! I Want It!

Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

The majority of dogs can eat cheese and it is safe for them, but some can’t eat cheese. That is to say, some dogs are lactose intolerant and can’t eat cheese, milk, or dairy products.

It’s important to understand that these dairy products aren’t toxic. However, lactose intolerant dogs, like humans, don’t have the digestive juices necessary to process it.

You will know if your dog is lactose intolerant, because they will have diarrhea and a tummy ache. Be sure to talk to your vet if you feel like your dog is indeed lactose intolerant. Furthermore, if your dog suffers from pancreatitis, then stay away from cheese.

Cheese is also high in calories, so limit the quantity you give your dog. For instance, you want to help keep their waistline from expanding.

These bacon cheese dog treats contain only a small portion of cheese per treat. Therefore, these treats will help you limit the quantity you give your dog.

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Let’s Make Bacon Cheese Dog Treats

This yummy bacon cheese dog treats recipe goes by the name, Doggy Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders. After all, dogs deserve sliders as comfort food, too!

Ingredients Needed for Doggy Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

egg
baking powder
almond flour
rice flour
cheese
beef broth
bacon pieces
water

Putting The Recipe Together

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Secondly, mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl.

Thirdly, finish blending the ingredients by kneading them with your hands. Your goal is a playdough consistency.

However, if the dough is too sticky, add some more almond or rice flour, or both. Furthermore, if the dough is too dry, add some more water.

Then, form the dough into a ball.

Next, cover your kitchen counter with wax or parchment paper.

After that, coat the parchment paper and a rolling pin with rice or almond flour.

Then on the flour covered paper, roll the dough ball to about a ¼ to ½ inch thickness.

Next, use a small round shaped cookie cutter to cut the “sliders”. However, you can use any shape cookie cutter, because the sliders don’t have to be round.

In addition, I used a tiny bone shaped cutter to put in the middle of the round slider. I pressed gently enough to leave an indention without going all the way through. However, this is not necessary.

After that, place the shapes on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

Then, bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes.

Remember all ovens bake differently, so it is good practice to start checking at 20 minutes. You might need to leave them in longer than 22 minutes. Most importantly, make sure they are a little golden brown on top.

Lastly, let the treats thoroughly cool before sharing them with your fur baby.

In Conclusion

Above all, my favorite part of the baking process is sharing what I’ve baked with my two dogs.

Bella and Edward have waited so patiently, watching me prepare these bacon cheese dog treats. Plus, I love watching Bella do a trick for her treat.

Be sure to store the treats in an airtight container or a baggie. Furthermore, you can keep the treats in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also keep them in the freezer for up to three weeks.

By the way, do you happen to have a dog that is overweight, but loves bacon and cheese? These bacon cheese dog treats might be a way for them to still have some since they’re small. However, make sure you check with your veterinarian first.

What ways have you incorporated bacon or cheese or both in spoiling your dog? Let us know in the comments below.

You might like these treat recipes with cheese from the Dog Chef section of our blog:

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I’ll Take One!!

Doggy Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

These treats are comfort food for dogs. They love cheese and bacon, so this recipe delivers both in one bite.

Servings small round shaped slider treats

Calories 20kcal

Ingredients

1 egg
1 tbsp baking powder
1½ cups almond flour
1½ cups brown rice flour
1 cup cheese
1 tsp beef broth
¼ cup bacon pieces
½ cup water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°.
Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Finish blending by kneading the dough with your hands.
Form a ball with the dough.
Cover the kitchen counter with wax or parchment paper.
Coat the paper and a rolling pin with rice or almond flour.
Place the dough ball on the flour covered paper and roll out about ¼ to ½ inch.
Use a small round shaped cookie cutter to make into "sliders" or use a cookie cutter of choice.
Place the shapes on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 350° for 22 minutes.
Let thoroughly cool before sharing with your fur baby.

Notes

Store in an airtight container or baggie in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.

Nutrition

The post Bacon Cheese Dog Treats – a Yummy Recipe! appeared first on Snoot and Toebeans.

Hemp Seed Dog Biscuits – a Recipe for Celebrating

Jeana — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 00:10:00 +0000

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What are we celebrating? You mean your dog hasn’t told you yet? On February 23rd your dog wants you to bake dog biscuits to celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day. But, not just any dog biscuits! Your dog wants hemp seed dog biscuits.

Haha! I don’t really know that, of course! However, I do know that your dog wants extra biscuits all day to celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day. Plus, I know you can’t go wrong baking hemp seed dog biscuits for your dog. In addition, this post does include an awesome recipe for hemp seed dog biscuits.

So, go ahead, bake hemp seed dog biscuits and spoil your dog with extra on this fun day. But, before you do, read some fun facts about dog biscuits in general and National Dog Biscuit Day. Then, you can read about how super healthy hemp seed dog biscuits are.

Hemp Seed Dog Biscuits – What are Dog Biscuits?

What are dog biscuits? First of all, traditionally, dog biscuits are hard and dry. Secondly, they are usually shaped like flat bones. However, they do come in other shapes and even different sizes.

In addition, dog biscuits come in a variety of flavors, such as, beef, chicken, turkey, and bacon. Furthermore, the dry and hard texture is meant to clean a dog’s teeth.

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In 1860, James Spratt came up with a primary food source biscuit for dogs in London. His biscuits were named Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes and were made of meat, vegetables, and grains.

Then, by 1907, American Carleton Ellis came up with the idea of making dog biscuits in a bone shape. He came up with a milk-based biscuit that used the “waste milk” from slaughterhouses.

Later, the F.H. Bennett Biscuit Company of New York began selling Ellis’ bone-shape biscuits. These biscuits were named Malatoid until 1915 and then, the name was changed to Milk-Bone. Eventually Nabisco Biscuit Company acquired the Milk-Bone.

Furthermore, Milk-Bone was the preeminent dog biscuit until the end of the 1960’s. Then other manufacturers came out with similar products. By the end of World War II, dog biscuits shifted from their use as meals, to desserts and treats.

Why Have a National Dog Biscuit Day?

Why a national day? Most importantly so you can spoil your dog, because your dog probably loves treats! Dog biscuits are definitely treats and they sure do make our dogs happy. Plus, our dogs deserve some extra spoiling.

Furthermore, this day is observed around the world as International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. Above all, a national or international day is a way for humans to show our appreciation for dogs.

Why Hemp Seed Dog Biscuits are Healthy

Although hemp seeds come from the Cannabis sativa plant, they do not produce a mind-altering effect. However, trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound, might be found.

Hemp also appears on store shelves in the form of oils, powder, or flour. As a result, it is easy to incorporate hemp into any meal for us humans. So, why not incorporate it into our dog’s diet too? After all, it is considered a superfood.

Hemp seeds have a nearly perfect balance of omega 3 to omega 6. Plus, hemp seeds contain iron, Vitamin E, and all of the essential amino acids. As a result, hemp seeds are considered a nutritionally complete food source and an excellent source of protein.

Furthermore, some hemp seed benefits for your dog include:

• strengthening the immune system

• reducing joint inflammation

• supporting healthy organ function

• having positive effects on brain function and fertility

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• lowering blood pressure

• reducing the risk of contracting heart disease

• decreasing the risk of blood clot formation

• helping the heart recover after a heart attack

• supporting a healthy weight

• increasing energy

• improving skin and fur conditions

Furthermore, with so many benefits, you will want to incorporate any kind of hemp product into your dog’s diet. For instance, you can start with this easy recipe for hemp seed dog biscuits. Plus, your dog wants to celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day with yummy biscuits!

Let’s Bake Hemp Seed Dog Biscuits

There are five ingredients in this recipe and hemp seeds are not the only nutritional ingredient. For instance, organic oat bran provides fiber which can help improve colon health and anal gland issues. You can read about the benefits of coconut oil here.

Ingredients Needed

• hemp seed

• organic oat bran

• coconut oil

• unsweetened applesauce

• ceylon cinnamon

The ceylon cinnamon is not pictured. However, adding it was an afterthought because apples and cinnamon together, just sounds yummy. Plus, I also love adding cinnamon to dog treats because of the nutritional value.

Step by Step to a Healthy Biscuit

First, mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. It will be clumpy.

Secondly, knead the mixture with your hands. If the mixture is too sticky, add more oat bran. If it is too dry, add a little water.

Thirdly, form the mixture into a dough ball and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Next, place parchment or wax paper on your work space. Then coat the space and a rolling pin with oat bran.

After that, roll out the biscuit dough about a ¼ inch thick. Next, use a cookie cutter of choice to cut shapes into the dough. I thought a bone-shaped cutter was perfect for National Dog Biscuit Day.

Then, place the cut shapes on a parchment or wax covered baking sheet. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes. Remember that ovens will vary, so start checking at 22 minutes.

Lastly, let the biscuits thoroughly cool on a cooling rack.

In Conclusion

Above all, the best part of baking these hemp seed dog biscuits is sharing them with your dog. My two, Edward and Bella gave a stand up approval.

Furthermore, store these hemp seed dog biscuits in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator. In addition, you can freeze them in a baggie for up to three weeks.

So, now you have an awesome recipe to help your dog celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day. Furthermore, spoil your dog with a few extra! After all, it is a special day!

How do you and your dog celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day? I would love to read about it in the comments below.

How have you added hemp products to your dog’s diet? Let me know in the comments below.

So, if you enjoy baking these hemp seed dog biscuits, you might enjoy these biscuit recipes:

Go Bananas! Biscuits

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

Berry Parfait Biscuits

Pumpkin Cheese Biscuits

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I’ll Take One!!

Hemp Seed Dog Biscuits

These hemp seed dog biscuits are so much fun to make. Your kitchen will smell yummy while they bake. This recipe is so easy to follow and the biscuits are so healthy. Use this recipe to bake biscuits in celebration of National Dog Biscuit Day or any day of the year.

Servings small bone shaped treats

Calories 6kcal

Ingredients

1½ cups organic oat bran
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
⅓ cup hemp seeds
½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
¼ cup melted coconut oil

Instructions

Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
Knead the mixture with your hands.
Form dough into a ball and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Place wax paper on your work space and coat it and a rolling pin with the oat bran.
Roll out the biscuit dough, about a ¼ inch thick.
Use a cookie cutter of choice to cut shapes in dough.
Place on a baking sheet and bake for 22 to 25 minutes.
Let thoroughly cool before sharing with your fur baby.

Notes

If the dough is too sticky, add more oat bran; if too dry, add a little water.
Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze in a baggie for up to 3 weeks.
Ovens will vary in temperature, so start checking at 22 minutes.

Nutrition

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Valentine Cookies for Dogs – Made With Beets

Jeana — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:22:57 +0000

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Valentine’s Day is almost here! Therefore, surprise your dog with these valentine cookies for dogs. Plus, you can’t go wrong giving your furry valentine an edible gift this season of love.

Bella watches my every move when she knows I’m baking treats for her.

Your dog probably doesn’t care if you bake their treats or buy them from a store. However, it is so much fun to whip up a homemade batch of treats just for them.

And, holidays are always the perfect excuse to do this. Furthermore, baking with your dog at your feet lets them feel included in the holiday festivities.

These valentine cookies for dogs are made with beets and applesauce to delight your dog’s taste buds. Furthermore, both of these ingredients have nutritional value that makes them healthy.

Check out the nutritional values of unsweetened applesauce, here. Plus, below you’ll find out all about red beets and the nutritional benefits they give your dog.

This Valentine’s Day, remember your dog and whip up some valentine cookies for dogs. In addition, this recipe will make enough for you to treat all of your favorite dogs.

Yes, I Want It!

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Why Add Red Beets to Valentine Cookies for Dogs?

Beets are safe for your dog to eat! However, as with any human food, safe for dogs, they should be eaten in moderation. Furthermore, beets are not toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA.

In addition, adding beets to valentine cookies for dogs can be a healthy source of vitamins. For instance, beets provide vitamin C, which helps with immunity. Additionally, vitamin B folate helps with cardiovascular support and normal tissue growth.

Furthermore, adding beets to valentine cookies for dogs can be a great source of minerals. For instance, manganese helps bones, kidneys, the liver, and the pancreas. Fiber aids digestion, while iron aids the formation of healthy blood cells.

Minerals such as potassium and magnesium are essential for healthy nerve function. Potassium also helps with muscle function, while magnesium helps with bone health.

Above all, red beets help fight inflammation. My two senior dogs are showing signs of arthritis, so this benefit excites me. The nutrient in red beets that helps fight inflammation is known as betaine. Furthermore, this nutrient can help support emotional health.

On the other hand, red beets are high in oxalic acid. This acid can lead to kidney stones and a depletion of calcium. Therefore, feed red beets sparingly.

Plus, although rare, some dogs have an allergic reaction to beets. Therefore, talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns before making these valentine cookies for dogs. These are small treats, so your dog will only receive a small portion at a time.

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Let’s Bake Some Valentine Cookies for Dogs

Honestly, this was my first time to work with beets, ever, not even for human consumption! I even looked for a canned version of beet purée at my local Natural Grocers. When I couldn’t find any, I found myself in the fresh produce, examining organic beets.

Then, I did a quick Pinterest search on how to purée beets. I discovered that I would need to choose between a raw purée or a cooked purée. So, since my purée would be used in treats that would be baked, I opted for the raw.

In addition, the recipe yields 240 small, heart valentine cookies for dogs. I developed this recipe to make a large amount so that I could treat my doggy friends.

However, if you don’t want to make this many at one time, be sure to half the recipe. On the other hand, these treats will keep in the freezer up to a month.

Ingredients for Doggy Valentine Beet-ing Heart Cookies

olive oil
unsweetened applesauce
3 to 4 beets (used to make beet purée)
oat flour
baking powder
quick rolled oats
coconut flour (to be used in the kneading process)

Steps to Make Raw Beet Purée

Cover a countertop with parchment or wax paper. As a result, this will keep your countertop from being stained from the beet juice.

Then, wash and rub any dirt away from 3 to 4 beets. Next, quarter-cut the beets. You can peel the beets before cutting them, but this isn’t necessary.

After that, place the quarters into a food processor and pulse, adding a little water. This will be a finely, chopped textured purée that you can actually use. However, I was after a smoother purée.

Therefore, place the processed beets into a blender. Then, add a little water, blending until the texture is smooth.

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Steps to Make the Doggy Valentine Beet-ing Heart Cookies

First, heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place parchment or wax paper on cookie sheets.

Secondly, stir together beet purée, applesauce and olive oil in a large bowl. Then, in a separate bowl, combine oat flour and baking powder. After that, slowly stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients.

Thirdly, stir in the quick rolled oats. Cover the bowl and let the oats expand for 10 minutes.

Next, cover a countertop with parchment or wax paper and dust with the coconut flour. The mixture will be sticky, so you will want to work with it in small portions.

So, spoon out a cup of the mixture onto the prepared countertop. Then, add a small amount of the coconut flour to the top of the mixture. Next, knead it into a play-doh like consistency and form a dough ball.

After that, flatten the dough ball with the palm of your hands. Then roll it out with a rolling pin to a ¼ inch. Don’t forget to add a little flour to the rolling pin!

Next, use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, then turn the cookies over and bake another 5 to 6 minutes.

Keep in mind, cooking time varies with different ovens. If you want a crunchier cookie, leave in the oven a little longer. The cooking time in this recipe is for a softer cookie.

Lastly, remove the cookies from the pan and let them cool on a rack.

I’ll Take One!!

In Conclusion

So, when all of the baking is done, share the cookies with your dog. In addition, be ready for your dog to beg for more. Above all, this is always the funnest part of baking for your dog.

Furthermore, there will be plenty of these valentine cookies for dogs to put into cute treat bags. Then, you can share them with all of your doggy friends for a fun Valentine’s Day treat surprise.

Another note, beets contain the red color component, betanin and the body can’t break this down. As a result, urine and stool will be dyed red which is commonly called beeturia.

However, don’t let this alarm you after your dog eats these valentine cookies for dogs containing beets. Betanin will work its way out naturally within several days to a week.

One last thing, celebrate Valentine’s Day responsibly for your dog. Please remember to put those heart boxes full of chocolate out of your dog’s reach. Remember chocolate is highly toxic for dogs.

Do you do anything special for your dog on Valentine’s Day? I would love to read about it in the comments below.

Has your dog ever had red beets? Let me know about it in the comments below.

You might want to try these recipes for your dog:

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Doggy Valentine Beet-ing Heart Cookies

You can’t go wrong giving your furry valentine an edible gift this season of love. Your dog will beg you to make these treats more often than Valentine’s Day. The red beets and applesauce will delight taste buds over and over.

Servings small dog treats

Calories 15kcal

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1½ cups beet purée (3 to 4 fresh beets)
4½ cups oat flour
3½ tsps baking powder
2½ cups quick rolled oats
coconut flour (this will be used in the kneading process)

Instructions

Beet Purée Directions

Cover the countertop with parchment or wax paper.
Wash and rub the dirt from 3 to 4 beets and place on the covered countertop.
Quarter-cut the beets. (You can peel the beets before cutting them, but it is not necessary.)
Add the quarters to a food processor and pulse, adding a little water.
Put the processed beets into a blender with a little water and blend until smooth.

Cookie Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place parchment or wax paper on cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, stir together beet purée, applesauce, and olive oil.
In a separate bowl, combine oat flour and baking powder. Slowly stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients.
Stir in the quick rolled oats. Cover the bowl and let the oats expand for 10 minutes.
Cover a countertop with parchment or wax paper and dust with the coconut flour.
Spoon out a cup of the mixture onto the covered countertop.
Pour a small amount of coconut flour on the mixture, knead it into a play-doh-like consistency and form a dough ball.
Flatten the dough ball with the palm of your hands, then roll it out with a rolling pin to a ¼ inch.
Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place on the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, then turn the cookies over and bake another 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove the cookies from the pan and let them cool on a rack.

Notes

**You can skip making the beet purée and opt for canned purée. Just make sure there is not any added sugar or vinegar.

**The mixture will be sticky, so I recommend only kneading about a cup of it at a time.

**Cooking time varies with different ovens. If you want a crunchier cookie, leave in the oven a little longer. The cooking time in this recipe is for a softer cookie.

Nutrition

The post Valentine Cookies for Dogs – Made With Beets appeared first on Snoot and Toebeans.

Sweet Potato Dog Waffles – Yummy Goodness!

Jeana — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 03:39:17 +0000

Jump to Recipe

These sweet potato dog waffles are an easy and healthy way to treat your dog this winter. But, don’t just stop in winter. You can share these dog treats any time of year. Furthermore, you will be serving your little one their own special breakfast with only six ingredients.

Thus, two of my favorite ingredients to use in dog treats is oat flour and coconut oil. Oat flour is simply grinding oats very finely. However, you can actually find it already ground for you with the flour baking products at your grocery.

In addition, oat flour is easy on most dog’s digestive systems. It is also an excellent source of essential antioxidants in which some are unique to oats.

Coconut oil is also a favorite ingredient in these sweet potato dog waffles. Not only can it be applied topically to condition a dog’s coat or heal dry skin, it’s digestible.

Therefore, coconut oil is going to promote health from within. Check out this YouTube video on using coconut oil for your pets.

Eggs in Sweet Potato Dog Waffles

Of course dogs can have eggs! And, I have used eggs in other dog recipes, but I’ve never written about the benefits. Protein is essential for our dogs and eggs provide a source of protein.

“Eggs are considered a gold standard because they’re almost the closest you can get to 100 percent complete, as far as protein goes.”
Jan Dempsey, Purina Senior Nutritionist

Eggs are easily digestible and have a high nutritional value. Furthermore, they contain essential amino acids and are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Therefore, adding eggs to your dogs diet in any way, you are providing a perfect source of nutrition. For instance, these sweet potato dog waffles are great in giving your dog a little extra protein.

How to Make Sweet Potato Dog Waffles

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Dog Waffles

baked sweet potato
small, ripe banana
egg
melted coconut oil
oat flour
ceylon cinnamon

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Steps to Make Sweet Potato Dog Waffles

First, mash half of a baked sweet potato and a small, ripe banana together in a medium bowl. I use a potato masher, but a fork will work just as well.

Secondly, beat an egg with a fork in a small bowl. Then, use a spoon to blend the egg with the sweet potato and banana mixture.

Thirdly, melt the coconut oil in the microwave. Then, add it to the wet mixture and use a spoon to blend well.

Next, combine the oat flour and cinnamon in a small bowl. By the way, I prefer to use ceylon cinnamon and here’s why. So, if you have never used ceylon cinnamon in recipes, your dogs are in for a special surprise.

Then, add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and blend with a spoon until well combined. The batter will be a little lumpy and have a cake-like consistency. Plus, it will be a little sticky.

And, Now for the Fun Part!

First, heat a waffle iron according to your brand’s instructions. I used a Dash mini waffle iron. I just love this little iron for making waffles for my fur babies. It’s the perfect size.

So, when the waffle iron is heated, spray coconut oil to grease the top and bottom metal plates. To clarify, there is actually a spray can of coconut oil located with the other oil spray cans. However, you can also use the coconut oil in a jar and spread it over the metal plates.

Then, it is up to you as to what size you want to make your waffles. For instance, scoop about a tablespoon of batter per waffle. This is what I did, and it allowed me to put three to four scoops on the iron. As a result, this recipe made 33 small waffles. I have two small dogs, so these were the perfect size for them.

Next, cook the waffles until golden brown. My waffle maker has a light that turns on when the lid is closed. Then, when it turns off, the waffles are a nice golden brown.

After that, remove the waffles from the heat and allow to thoroughly cool before serving to your dog. And, of course sharing with your fur baby is the absolute best part of making homemade treats.

Lastly, you can store the waffles in a ziplock baggie in the refrigerator for up to a week. In addition, you can freeze them for up to two to three weeks.

Yes! I Want It!

To Sum Up…

There is just something special about baking treats for your fur baby. For me, it is a fun bonding experience. Both of my bookends stand at my feet though the entire process. The bonding is in talking to them about what special treat I’m making for them.

I noticed that these sweet potato dog waffles have such a rich, yummy smell. So, the smell alone kept my two fur babies sniffing the air. It’s funny how they just know when I’m making something special for them.

How do you use sweet potatoes with your dogs? We would love to read about it in the comments below.

I hope your dog enjoys these waffles as much as mine do. You can let us know in the comments when you make these waffles for your dog. We love reading about your bonding experiences.

You might like these sweet potato recipes from our Dog Chef section:

You can use one of the following images to pin to your Pinterest account.

Sweet Potato Dog Waffles

Dogs love sweet potatoes, so they go crazy for these waffles. In addition to being yummy, they are a fun treat to share with the 4-legged family members.

Servings very small waffles

Calories 16kcal

Ingredients

½ baked sweet potato (about ½ cup puréed)
1 small banana (about ¼ cup mashed)
1 egg
2 tbsp coconut oil
½ cup oat flour
1 tsp cinnamon (Ceylon)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mash half of a baked sweet potato and a small, ripe banana together with a fork.
In a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork. Then, add it to the sweet potato and banana mixture. Blend well with a spoon.
Melt the coconut oil in the microwave and add this to the sweet potato, banana, egg mixture. Blend well with a spoon.
Add the oat flour and cinnamon to the sweet potato, banana, egg, coconut mixture. Blend with a spoon until well combined. The consistency will be a cake-like batter.
Heat a waffle iron according to your brand’s instructions. I used a Dash mini waffle iron.
When the waffle iron is heated, spray coconut oil to grease the metal plates.
Scoop about a tablespoon of batter three to four different times, placing separately on the metal plates of the waffle iron. Repeat this process until you run out of batter.
Cook until golden brown. (The light on my waffle maker turns on when the lid is closed and turns off when the waffles are ready.)
Remove the waffles from the heat and allow to cool thoroughly.
Store in a zip-lock baggie in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze for up to two to three weeks.

Notes

*I used half of a baked sweet potato, but you can use canned sweet potato purée. Make sure there is not any added sugar or sweetener.

*I like organic cinnamon and I prefer Ceylon cinnamon over Cassius cinnamon. It is sometimes hard to find, so you can use the cinnamon you have on hand.

Nutrition

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