On the West Coast, it seems we hit the epitome of spring! The weather is gorgeous (sunny with a light breeze), our garden has started, and I am looking forward to summertime adventures with my family- furry children included. Of course, with the planning of these outdoor getaways, I am always thinking about snacks I can bring along that are easy to pack and help fuel our bodies and support recovery.
But this year in particular, with Birdie's recovery from TPLO surgery and Ozzy celebrating his 10-year birthday, I began to think of what I could pack for them to help them recover from a full day of play. Like any mother, I want to ensure our puppies have a long and healthy life. With an already high-quality healthy kibble and extra supplementation (omegas and Purica recovery) with every meal, what else could I do to maximize their quality of life?
Well, every dog loves treats, right? Well, why not make some delicious snacks with added benefits? With some research and playing around with Prairie Naturals dog treat recipe, I have created my own Dog Snaps and Booster biscuits, perfect for at home and on the go.
But before we get started on these puppy treats, let me quickly highlight the benefits of two key ingredients:
Prairie Naturals Fermented Turmeric:
This long-standing Canadian brand has been making high-quality powders and supplements for years. Their fermented turmeric powder is easy to absorb and is an antioxidant powerhouse. Like in humans, dogs can reap the benefits of turmeric, such as its anti-inflammatory properties to reduce joint pain and aid in digestion. Certifications like USDA Organic and gluten-free are something I seek out, especially since Birdie is on a grain-free diet.
Organika Chicken Bone Broth:
Another Canadian company that has been making superfood powders for years. They are known as the #1 collagen company in Canada, but I must say, their bone broth powder is #1 as well! Not only are the bone broth powders super fine and easy to blend into hot beverages, but they are also mild in flavour. Compared to other bone broth companies, they stew their bones for 72 hours, allowing the water to penetrate deeper into the bones to access the nutrients found in the marrow, such as naturally occurring minerals, MSM, and chondroitin sulphates, which all support joint mobility and prevent arthritis in humans and animals.
And now that we know some of the many benefits of these medicinal ingredients, it's time to get to baking!
Turmeric Dog Snaps
Bake Time: 40 minutes Dehydration Time (optional): 4-6 hours
Makes: 150 snaps Total Cost: $15.14*
Ingredients:
2 tsp Prairie Naturals Fermented Turmeric Powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups Bob's Red Mill Spelt flour
Pinch of Himalayan salt
400ml can of Pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 cup of bone broth (made with 1 tbsp Organika Chicken bone broth and 1 cup of boiled water)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 15" x 10" baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients, Turmeric powder, baking soda, spelt flour, and Himalayan salt.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients, Chicken bone broth, egg, and pumpkin puree.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Pour the mixture onto the lined baking sheet and spread out evenly using a spatula.
Place in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 40 minutes.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and slice the batter into 1-inch squares.
For a soft cookie: Allow the squares to cool and transfer them to an airtight container. Consume within 7-14 days.
Optional step for snaps: Transfer the squares to a dehydrator and spread them between the trays. Set the temperature to 130F and dehydrate for 4-6 hours. Snaps will be ready when completely hardened. If you don't have a dehydrator, separate the cookies into two baking sheets. Place in the oven at the lowest heat setting and bake until snaps have hardened. This method could take 2-6 hours, depending on temperature, so best to check every 1-2 hours so they don't burn. Store in an airtight container and consume within 30 days.
Booster Biscuits
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min Makes: 14-16 biscuits Cost: $9.95*
Ingredients:
2 tsp Prairie Naturals Fermented Turmeric powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups of dog food dust (explanation below)
1/2 cup of Bob's Red Mill Spelt flour
Pinch of Himalayan salt
1 large yam (approx. 630g)
1 tb Organika Chicken bone broth powder
1 cup of water (from boiling yam)
1 large egg
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 15" x 10" baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large pot, fill with water and chopped yam. Bring the water to a boil and cook the yam for 10 minutes or until soft enough to stick a fork through it.
Pour 1 cup of the yam water into a measuring cup and whisk together with 1 tbsp Organika bone broth.
Drain the remaining water down the sink. Transfer the yam to a mixing bowl and allow to cool for approx. 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients, dog food dust, turmeric powder, spelt flour, baking soda, and Himalayan salt.
When the bone broth has cooled, add the egg and whisk together.
Mash the yam until it becomes a fine texture. Add in the bone broth.
Mix the wet and dry ingredients.
Pour the batter onto the lined baking sheet and spread out evenly with a spatula.
Put the baking tray on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 30 minutes before cutting into shapes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Consume within 7-10 days.
Dog food dust, the dual quest: This second recipe has something unique to me. And it has two purposes to it.
Reduce the chances of aspiration pneumonia: I wasn't aware of it until my fiancé told me to be careful when we reached the bottom of the kibble bag. The reason is that scooping up too many fine food particles can cause dogs to inhale them and develop this lung infection. When a dog inhales foreign particles, inflammation occurs. The inflammatory response creates a build-up of fluid in the lungs, which leads to breathing issues and, if untreated, a life-threatening emergency. Knowing Ozzy and Birdie are food inhalers, this situation is probable. So, what I have been doing to reduce the chances of this health condition- and potential big vet bill-is that I have been taking my trusty kitchen sieve, separating the kibble from the dust, and saving it for future tasty treat creation!
Cost-saving and nutrient-boosting flour: Growing up as a millennial, I know firsthand that money is tight and times are tough in this current economy. It's hard to meet daily needs and not have enough to save money for treats! Keeping the food dust helps us have those valuable nutrients from the dog food remnants to make nourishing treats for our dogs. Making these treats in my kitchen helps me have peace of mind, knowing I can create something for them without any potential preservatives in store-bought varieties.
So collect that dog food dust in a jar to prevent aspiration pneumonia and to make treats for your sweeties! These treats are perfect for camping trips, hikes, beach days, and puppy training.
Have you made any homemade dog treats? How do you keep your loved ones healthy and happy? Are there any summertime adventures you're excited for?
Until next time, stay healthy!
Chloe
RHN, CH, & CPT
*Prices may vary, depending on where you shop.