Cheesy Tuna Dog Treat Recipe

Something smells fishy around here… it must be our Cheesy Tuna Dog Treat Recipe! Canned tuna is perfectly safe for dogs to eat, as long as it’s packed in water, not oil. Boasting protein, vitamins B3, B6 and B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, tuna packs a healthy punch in this tasty treat. Add to that some Parmesan cheese, eggs and a carrot, and you’ve got yourself one satisfied pooch!

Makes 40-50 cookies

Ingredients:

3 cups whole wheat flour

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 small can of shredded tuna in water (do not drain)

1 large carrot, peeled and grated

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, cheese, tuna (along with the water in the can), carrot and garlic powder.
3. In a small bowl, using a wire whisk or electric mixer, beat the eggs until foamy.
4. Add foamy eggs to main bowl and mix. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, blend until a stiff dough is formed. If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of water until reaching the desired consistency.
5. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured flat surface or parchment paper. Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out treats using cookie cutter and place side by side on cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges of cookies are lightly golden. Remove the trays from the oven and cool to room temperature. Turn off the oven.
7. When the cookies have completely cooled, put all the cookies on one cookie sheet and return them to the cooling oven. Leave them undisturbed for 8-16 hours.

Because it’s Easter, I added some decoration to spruce up the bunnies. The eyes and ears are decorated with candy coating that’s safe for dogs – this is optional, as the coating does have sugar in it. For the nose, I pressed once piece of Oscar’s kibble firmly into the raw cookie, before I placed them onto the cookie sheet.

If you’re choosing ingredients for your dog’s next homemade dog treats, tuna offers several benefits making it a great option! This fishy flavor that will drive your dogs crazy is packed with vitamins and minerals, helping to boost your dog’s health and well-being. High levels of protein help to encourage lean muscle growth, improve your dog’s skin health, and build a stronger immune system.

Higher protein foods have also been found to help burn fat and calories, making them a great addition to your dog’s weight loss diet. The protein helps to keep your dog feeling full and satisfied for a longer period following his meal, helping to reduce the amount of food needed to keep him happy. This isn’t to say that you should let your pup chow down on these treats without consideration for the calories. Make sure to keep track of your dog’s daily caloric intake and adjust the amount of food that you are giving him to accommodate any special treats.

Like many seafood options, tuna is also high in Omega-3 fatty acids. The main ingredient in many supplements, omega-3 fatty acids offer many great benefits for your dog including contributing to healthy brain development in puppies, reducing inflammation, boosting your dog’s immune system, improving on heart health, and improving the health and appearance of your dog’s skin and coat. If you’re looking for the secrete to a smooth, shiny coat on your dog, this is an important piece of that puzzle!

With so many great benefits for your dog – What are you waiting for?