This is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Purina ONE, but all my opinions are entirely my own. #pmedia #ONEDifference http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
Something a little different – this one is for all the dog lovers out there. Here is a recipe for some yummy mega healthy dog treats that will keep your furry companion healthy and happy! Because they deserve great food, too!
Those of you who own dogs can’t imagine life without them. Loving, loyal, playful, friendly, genuine, beautiful – these are a few of the words that describe my dog, Maggie. She’s been with us for many years. She’s one of us, part of our family. And as such her health, happiness and well-being are important to us.
Maggie turns 9 this year. It’s hard to believe! It feels like just yesterday that we brought that sweet tiny puppy with over-sized paws home with us. She was loving and cuddly from the start and she immediately won her way into our hearts.
Maggie’s always been a very healthy, active dog and still is. And so when I heard about an opportunity to participate in the Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge I eagerly got on board. Others dog owners who have participated have been reporting observing an improvement in their dog’s energy, dental & eye health, skin, coat and digestion. I was intrigued and excited to get started, so I signed up and then grabbed the $3 off coupon and went to the store to pick up some Purina ONE dog food – a nutrient rich formula. Maggie was eager to get started, too!
Maggie’s vet has always described her teeth, skin and coat as exceptionally healthy. She’s always enjoyed a good diet and we regularly brush her fur, both of which are key contributors. So as to whether her teeth, skin and coat improved over these past 28 days has been hard to judge because they’re already so healthy to begin with. But her energy levels have been great and she eagerly devours her Purina ONE dog food at every meal!
Our bounding, leaping, happy Maggie!
Something I appreciate about participating in the Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge is that it’s kept Maggie’s health in the forefront of my mind. What I mean is that it made me think about additional things I can do to help keep Maggie healthy and strong. For example, I used to make my own dog treats for her but the past couple of years, with two little kids who have more energy than 10 Maggie’s put together (!!) finding the time to do that had become increasingly challenging and before long I just plain forgot about it. Instead we just started buying her healthy dog treats.
But I’ve now resumed making my own dog treats and let me tell you – it’s so satisfying. I’m always thrilled when I concoct a mega healthy treat for my children – packed full of all kinds of crazy healthy ingredients – and they naively gobble it up, never guessing what’s in it because it tastes so good! Now, Maggie isn’t half as picky as my kids are, but it’s still so rewarding to see her enjoy those healthy homemade treats, knowing she’s benefiting from all the healthy ingredients. And like I said, she’s one of us. Healthy living plays a central role in our family’s life. And why should it be any different for the furry member of our family?
So today I’m going to share one of my doggy recipes with you that Maggie LOVES.
These Mega Healthy Dog Biscuits are packed with whole grains, oats, wheat germ, coconut oil, olive oil, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, cinnamon, honey and fish oil! These dog biscuits are a fantastic source of fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
While the first batch was cooling on the wire rack in the kitchen, Maggie kept hovering around. As soon as the biscuits were cool enough her patience was finally rewarded. So what do you think, Maggie? Do they smell good?
The biscuits passed the smell test and now she’s eagerly licking her chops…
Okay girl, it’s all yours!
You want another one? Coming right up!
Yep, they’ve passed the taste test as well!
Let’s get started! Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Add the coconut and olive oil, honey and peanut butter, and squeeze the fish capsules into the bowl. Be sure to use high quality fish oil that has been tested for PCB’s.
Stir the mixture until it resembles coarse sand.
Slowly add the water, starting with 1/2 cup and add more as needed. You want a thick dough that holds together without being too sticky.
Stir until a stiff dough forms. Use your hands to knead it to make sure all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick.
Use a cookie cutter to cut out biscuits. Gather up the scraps of dough, roll it back out, and cut out the remaining biscuits.
Place the biscuits on a lined cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F for about 40 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown and hard.
Allow the cookies to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container. Will keep for a few days.
To your furry family member: “Enjoy!”
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup wheat germ
- 2 tablespoons unsalted sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup natural unsweetened peanut butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 high quality fish oil capsules
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- ½ to ¾ cup water
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet.
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the water, squeezing the fish oil from the capsules into the bowl with the other ingredients. Stir the mixture until it resembles coarse sand. Slowly add the water, starting with ½ cup and add more as needed. You want a thick dough that holds together without being too sticky. Use your hands to knead the dough a few times to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll it out to ¼ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out biscuits and place them on a lined cookie sheet. Gather up the scraps of dough, roll it out again, and cut out the remaining biscuits.
- Bake for about 40 minutes or until the biscuits are golden and hard. Let cool completely and keep stored in an airtight container. Will keep for several days.
Susan says
This is SUCH a great and cute idea! I loved seeing pictures and reading about your furry friend too.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Susan! Another advantage of making your own dog biscuits is that if your young children get hold of them and eat them you don’t have to worry about it – in fact, if they’re willing to eat these biscuits, they’ll benefit from all the healthy ingredients too, haha! ;)
jerri says
I just made these for my furry one and he LOVES them! Thanks so much for sharing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, jerri! So glad your furry one enjoyed them, too! :)
Myfoodie Pet says
Your recipe is so specific for me to make this healthy and delicious dog biscuits. My Kyle is satisfied to eat up and I will try to make new dog treats next time.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Myfoodie Pet! Kyle will be very happy :)
David says
Always looking for new treats to make for our dogs, but must be gluten free. Whole wheat fails this test. But, the flax seeds (which we keep in the pantry) and fish oil inclusion do seem like a huge bonus. We’ll definitely be including some in our next batch for the dogs. Thanks for the excellent suggestions!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, David!
Laura Engels says
I just made these for my dogs! Used buckwheat flour instead of whole wheat flour, and the sales Rep at Herbie’s Natural Food store said the benefits of fish oil would be lost if baked, so I will drizzle the oil on when I serve them. Other than that, they smell really good! I would have one, but will skip the fish oil drizzle!
John Allan says
peanut butter has palm oil in it even the vegan ones so what i do is fridge it , then it comes to the top and drain it out , its not good for fido
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi John, natural peanut butter (what I use and recommend) has no palm oil or any other added ingredients, it’s made from 100% peanuts and nothing else.
Gavin says
When you say several days, does that mean 3 5 7 14? Just curious. I’m wondering for if I make a large batch.
Andrea says
Hi
Want to try these, can they be frozen if i make a big batch?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Andrea, yes they can.
Andrea says
Thanks. Which kind of fish oil capsules did you use? They look a lot bigger than the ones I have. Could I use the pourable fish oil instead, if so how much please? X
Janet Vaughn says
Hi been looking for a healthy treat recipe for my senior
Pup with sensitive tummy issues and is on grain free diet….
Does this quality? I know that might seem like a stupid
Question but I never know what they mean by grain free
Unless it says it on the package but I want to make my
Own.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Janet, no this is not grain free so I would avoid this for your pup.
Ai Nguyen says
Thank you so much for this recipe. My dog and all my friends dog love the treat.
Kate Tallar says
For those looking at grain free change the wheat products to an alternative.
Crys says
Also looking for shelf life info.
Becca Bowman says
I can’t wait to make these for our 3 fur babies. They do look delicious. By the way Kimberly, Maggie is a total twin to a male dog who showed up on our doorstep as a tiny puppy. We live out in the country and no one claimed him so he’s been a fantastic addition to our family. We never knew the breed. In the very beginning, we thought he was a rottie but as an adult, hd no longer looks like one. May I ask what breed Maggie is? Thanks so much and I’ll let you know how the treats come out.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Becca, we never figured that out :) We know her parents were both different breeds but what breeds we don’t know. The only thing we know for certain is that Maggie was part border collie. She sadly passed away two years ago and we miss her, she was a wonderful dog. Now we have a Treeing Walker Coonhound. He’s rambunctious and fun but we still really our miss sweet Maggie.
Becca Bowman says
I’m so sorry to hear your sweet baby passed on. BooBoo is likd a twin to her, wish I could show you his picture. I’m glad you have found a new love now. We love our furbabies.
Good luck to you!
Sue says
I’d like to make this with my students to send home but we can’t use peanut butter. Any ideas for substitutes?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Sue, you can also use almond butter or cashew butter.
Debra Bonin says
Hi there, I am looking for an Omega 3 treat that I can make instead of buying to make for 3 very lovely retrievers but their hair has lost its softness. Would this be a good replacement for supplements? To buy supplements is 9 per day and 30 dollars for a 10 days supply!.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Debra, no, I would not recommend it as a replacement. While the treats have some nutrition the exposure to heat through baking will kill some of those nutrients, including some from the fish oil. How much I don’t know (we cook fish before eating it but the oils in it are still beneficial). I’m not a vet or animal health specialist but what I do is I give my dog one small capsule of fish oil every day mixed in his regular food. His coat is very healthy with a beautiful sheen.