Of late, there has been an emphasis on healthy, grain-free dog treats. In holistic pet stores, these types of treats can cost up to $8.00 for a tiny little package the size of your palm. Grain-free dog treats are particularly good for dogs with allergies, since grains are not part of a canine’s natural diet.
Homemade dog treats are much cheaper than store bought ones and you can just as easily make it healthy and grain free by substituting regular wheat or rice flour with legume or root based flours such as potato, white bean or quinoa. Add other natural ingredients like organic eggs, peanut butter or organic apple slices to make it extra healthy. Dehydrating pieces of organic meat is also easy and quick and your dogs will love it.
This recipe is one my miniature dachshund’s favorite. He goes completely nuts just smelling the wonderful peanut butter aroma. It is also fully organic and is quick, simple and costs a fraction of store prices! Organic garbanzo bean flour
is a non-grain alternative to regular flour and does not cause any known allergies in dogs. Organic pumpkin is added as a source of fiber to help bulk up your dog’s poop and reduces problems with the anal glands, particularly in smaller dogs. Blueberries (a natural antioxidant ) and ground flaxseed are also added to maintain beautiful skin and fur.
Blueberry and Chickpea Flour Doggie Biscuits
Makes about 45 doggie cookies
1 cup organic chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour
1/4 cup organic canned pumpkin
(not pumpkin pie filling)
1/4 cup organic raw honey
3 tbsp organic, all-natural peanut butter
1 tbsp finely ground flaxseed
2 tbsp filtered water
1/2 cup unsweetened dried blueberries (soaked in 1/4 cup water for about 10 minutes and drained)
1. Preheat the oven to 325F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the pumpkin, peanut butter and honey. Add in the chickpea flour 1/4 cup at a time and mix everything together until a dough forms. Add in the filtered water a little at a time to soften the dough. Add in the hydrated blueberries and mix until you get a stiff dough.
3. Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin with some chickpea flour. Separate the dough into three balls. Roll each ball out into a circular disk about 1/4 inch thick, dusting with a little bit of chickpea flour if the dough is too sticky. You can use tiny cookie cutters in the shape of bones to cut out the cookies, but I just cut them into little squares using a sharp knife.
4. Bake in the oven for about 7 minutes at 325F. Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to a month.
Check out our Dog Bone Cookie cutters and molds in our Cooking and Baking Store
I also highly recommend this baking for dogs cookbook
and if you are looking for pet supplies, toys, food or gift ideas? Check these out.
Looking for more things to hand-make and DIY for your dog? Check out some of our favorite things to make for dogs. Owning a dog can be very expensive and not only does making your own dog beds, coats and toys seem like fun, it is also a great way to save money on pet supplies too. One of our puppy’s favorite homemade dog toy is a soda bottle ½ filled with rice. It is noisy, it flips and spins and has a spout for him to grab.
Looking for more sewing patterns for your fur baby doggies? Check out these sewing patterns over on Etsy.
No Sew Easy Dog Bed – Quick and easy to make, you will want this soft and fluffy dog bed for every room, if you are looking for more DIY dog beds check out these articles for making your own dog beds.
DIY Dog Shampoo for sensitive skin – Even doggies have allergies and this recipe is for dogs with sensitive skin.
Recycled TShirt – Dogs Tugga Toy This project was featured in Moderndog magazine and was so fun to make, the best part was ripping up all the old t-shirts. Such a great way to recycle.
Recycled Dog Collar – Pickup old shirts from thrift stores and make fun collars in different colors and sizes. Make sure to measure your dog’s neck before heading out so you know what size to shirt to buy.
Check out this article on 15 dog toys you can make at home.
No Sew Dog Wrap – Made from old human track pants, very affordable to make.
Peppermint Dog Soap – Stinky dogs are gone, peppermint is soothing and antibacterial too.
Dry Pet Shampoo – Sometimes they haven’t even dried from their bath before they are dirty again, this shampoo helps to brush out the grime.
Dog Cakes – Perfect for dog parties and doggie friend playdates
Dog Biscuits– 16 yummy dog treats you can make yourself at home in the kitchen.
Looking for pet supplies, toys, food, or gift ideas? Check these out.
