We love our dogs. Right? And because we love our dogs, naturally, we want what's best for them. That's how I feel about each and every Woody's Place resident senior German Shepherd. I want what's best for them, and one way I go about doing what I think is best for them is to make them home-cooked dog food and treats. Honestly, even if I'm drop-dead tired at the end of the day, nothing feels better than whipping up a batch of homemade treats for the fur crew and watching them enjoy their treat. They love it, and I love knowing what goes directly into their food and treats. Especially with recalls of commercial brand foods and treats becoming all too common. When making homemade treats for the sanctuary residents, I find keeping it simple is the way to go. My reasons for this are twofold. One, because we have dogs with allergies and don't want them to have a flair-up, and two, to keep the cost in check, which is paramount when you have multiple dogs. With that said, our resident senior German Shepherds LOVE my soft peanut butter pumpkin homemade dog treats. It's a super simple recipe that is easy to make and super healthy for them. Seriously, these treats are packed full of vitamins and minerals that are great for the skin, coat, teeth, and bones, not to mention the digestive system, with only five simple ingredients.
My soft peanut butter pumpkin treats are also particularly great for our seniors who may be missing teeth, as this is a soft treat, so not a lot of hard chewing is going on. Without further ado, here is the recipe
3 cups of oats
1 cup of pumpkin puree
1/3 cup of peanut butter (not with xylitol)
3 TBS of ground flaxseed
1 egg
(Try to use organic if you can)
Grind up the oats in a food processor to make a powder
Then add all the other ingredients.
Once the ingredients are mixed, press the mix into silicone molds or spread it out on a smooth surface and cut with a cookie cutter.
Place treats in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 - 18 minutes.
Once they've cooled, feel free to serve them to your pup and watch their faces light up with joy! You can keep these treats in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them and take them out as needed. Big kudos to you! You have now made your fur friend treats that are both flavorful and healthy! You can feel good knowing that the peanut butter you've used is an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins B, E, and niacin. The pumpkin is a combination of soluble and insoluble fiber, which aids in digestive issues. The oats also contain vitamin B, which contributes to a nice shiny coat, and linoleic acid, which is excellent for your dog's skin. Flaxseed contains lignans, which have several health benefits, such as improving the cardiovascular system and preventing cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Flaxseed can also reduce arthritis symptoms, lower blood pressure, improve kidney function, and improve your dog's coat and skin. The final ingredient is the egg. Is it any wonder this food source was nicknamed "The Incredible Edible Egg?" I think not. The egg is jam-packed with protein, amino, fatty acids, and vitamins, including A, B2, 5, & 12, D, & E, folate, iron, selenium, and riboflavin. I mean, WOW, right? One egg can provide many health benefits for your dog, from luscious skin and coat to healthier, stronger teeth and bones. You can feel good about these ingredients when serving up my soft peanut butter pumpkin dog treats to your fur friend.
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Disclaimer: Not meant for dogs with certain allergies.
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