People who don’t have dogs in their families look perplexed when I talk enthusiastically about how happy it makes me to cook for my pets. Why not just buy them store bought treats and kibble? they ask. For me, it’s not only my ability to control the limited human-grade ingredients in homemade snacks that makes the habit of home-cooking rewarding, it’s also the TLC that I put into every batch of dog treats that somehow makes me feel so much happier to feed them to my dogs. Call me crazy, but I truly believe that dogs have the ability to appreciate, and the joy on their faces as they eat homemade dog cookies shows me that they are as happy to eat the treats as I am to make them. Recently I have made it a habit to bake a batch of fresh homemade dog cookies each week, incorporating a variety of flavors and ingredients so that the boys get a range of nutrients and avoid getting bored with the same old snacks.
This week, the All You Need is Pug boys are gnoshing on Cheesy Spinach Dog Snacks. These savory cookies are made with cottage cheese, which, in moderation, is a good source of calcium and protein for dogs who are not lactose intolerant. If your dog has not consumed dairy in the past and you are uncertain if he or she is sensitive to lactose, you may want to try giving him or her a small serving to see if dairy is tolerated before making a batch of these snacks. When choosing a brand of cottage cheese for this recipe, look for one that has reduced sodium and fat in order to maximize the healthy quality of this snack. With that in mind, you’re ready to try our dog snack recipe!
CHEESY SPINACH DOG SNACKS RECIPE
(makes approximately 2 dozen cookies)
Ingredients:
¾ cup cottage cheese
¼ cup safflower or olive oil
3 Tbsp local honey
1 packed cup organic spinach
1 ¼ cups brown rice flour
½ cup oat bran
½ tsp baking powder
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add cottage cheese, oil, and honey. Stir well.
- In a blender or food processor, add your spinach and the cheese mix. Blend until you have a smooth, green liquid.
- Pour your green mixture back into your bowl and add the flour, oat bran, and baking powder. Stir until you have formed a soft dough.
- Take pieces of dough and roll them into spheres the size of ping-pong balls. Press the ball down between your palms to flatten slightly.
- Place each flattened piece of dough on the cookie sheet. If you’d like to add some texture to the appearance of the cookies, use a fork or mini-whisk (as we have done) to create lines in the surface of each cookie. You can also feel free to form the cookies into different shapes if you are feeling creative!
- Bake cookies for 20-22 minutes, or until they are golden on the bottom and edges.
- Allow cookies to cool before serving or storing. Store cookies in a sealed container in the fridge, or freeze them if you would like them to keep for a longer period of time.
- When serving to your dog, it a good idea to break the cookies into smaller pieces to make them easier to consume, especially for toy and small breeds.
Bon Appugtite!
Disclaimer: As always, you should be aware of your pet’s health and consult a vet before making any changes to his or her diet, especially if your dog suffers from a disease or illness or takes medications. I am not a vet or animal nutritionist, nor am I responsible for the decisions you make regarding your pet’s diet. Keep in mind that all pets are different and will respond differently to dietary changes. You should be aware of your pet’s allergies, sensitivities, and medical history. Be sure to take the time to learn the foods that are safe for dogs to consume as well as those that are dangerous for dogs to consume before attempting to cook for your pet.
