Apple Banana Fresh Breath Dog Treat Recipe
Man, something smells ripe! What could it be? Did the city open a garbage dump into our neighborhood? Nope – it’s just the dog breathing into your face!
We expect dogs to have a bit of bad breath… but it shouldn’t have the ability to melt the eyebrows off our face! Some cases of canine halitosis come from digestion issues or poor dental care, but it could just be that your dog has a foul mouth (I’m talking about the smell, not swear words.) Luckily, ingredients such as fresh mint and parsley leaves are natural breath sanitizers that can help ease with stank breath. After all, you don’t want to cringe the next time your dog kisses you… that would hurt his feelings!
Apple Banana Fresh Breath Dog Treat Recipe
Makes about 30 treats
Ingredients:
1 banana, mashed
1 apple, grated
2 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup oatmeal flour
1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped
1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper
- In a small bowl, mash banana, and mix in grated apple.
- In a large bowl, add flour, mint and parsley. Stir together.
- Add eggs, banana and apple to the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it comes together. Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheets.
- Bake in oven for 25 minutes (or until golden brown).
- Remove from oven and let cool on racks for 3 to 4 hours.
- Place in air tight container or bag and keep in refrigerator or freezer until needed.
Why Should I Include Apples in My Dog’s Diet?
Not only do these treats help to improve your dog’s breath, but they may play an important role in helping him maintain a healthy weight. This is due to the low-calorie count and high amount of dietary fiber that they contain, especially in the peels. If you’re looking for a treat that will help your dog feel full longer while also encouraging healthy digestion, grate your apples with the peels on.
They are also a great choice for dogs that may have a bit of a sweet tooth, apples are a great way to satisfy it. Unlike most other “sweet treats”, apples don’t contain large amounts of sugar and they are free from other harmful artificial ingredients. But, be warned. They do have natural sugars and too much could make your dog feel ill. Only feed them in moderation.
Can My Dog Eat Bananas?
So, the apples in these treats are healthy but what about bananas? This high fiber treat is also a great option for improving digestion. In fact, bananas are often recommended as a natural way to address diarrhea or constipation. They regulate the digestive system and help to restore regularity.
Bananas are also a great source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. Adding bananas to your dog’s diet can help strengthen bones and muscles, maintain healthy blood pressure, boost the immune system, and improve brain function. If your dog is getting older, feeding bananas regularly can slow the effects of aging and keep your dog’s mind sharp for longer.
Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).
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