It’s All Greek Yogurt To Me Dog Treat Recipe

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic

One of my favorite snacks has to be Greek yogurt. Smooth, creamy, and rich, Greek yogurt is a little taste of the Mediterranean you can enjoy in the middle of the day. And I’m so glad I can share it with Oscar… in the form of a homemade treat. For my “It’s All Greek Yogurt To Me” Dog Treat Recipe, I combined oatmeal, yogurt, and peanut butter to add a dog-friendly flavor to this cookie.


It’s All Greek Yogurt To Me Dog Treat Recipe

Makes about 35-40 treats


Ingredients:


  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour


  • 1 cup oats


  • ½ teaspoon parsley


  • 1 egg


  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter


  • 1/2 cup natural Greek yogurt


  • Water (as needed)


Directions:


  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Combine oats, parsley, and flour in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add eggs and peanut butter, stirring until well combined.
  3. Add Greek yogurt to the mix. Stir until a firm dough is formed. If the mixture is too dry, add small amounts of water until it’s stiff.
  4. Roll out dough onto a floured surface to ¼ to ½ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place on parchment-lined cookie sheets.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove and let cool. Use air-tight containers or bags, and store them in a fridge or freezer.


I recommend that you poke some fork holes in the middle of this treat. I whipped up a first batch, but pesky air bubbles caused some major aesthetic issues. For my second round, a few pokes with the fork solved that problem, and I was able to dip the perfectly formed treats in melted carob chips to add a bit of pizzazz and sweetness. Give them a try and let me know what you think.


Benefits of Greek Yogurt for Your Dog

You may be wondering: Why Greek yogurt? Sure, it’s tasty, but is there any specific reason why we should incorporate it into our dog’s diet. Yes! Greek yogurt offers many great health benefits when you investigate its nutritional value.


Yogurt is high in many nutrients including calcium, protein, and zinc. This helps to support your dog through each age of his life from providing the nutritional boost needed for a puppy’s growing bones to helping to slow the impact of aging. Greek yogurt generally has more calories than regular yogurt, but it contains less sugar and provides an even higher source of protein making it the healthier option of the two.


In addition to supporting strong teeth and bones, Greek yogurt also contains valuable probiotics that can help to optimize your dog’s digestive system and provide relief for any digestive problems that he may face such as diarrhea or constipation. It helps to encourage better intestinal health, boost the immune system, support the heart, and encourage a healthy weight whether your dog is currently trying to lose weight or simply maintain the weight that he is at.


Just be cautious that yogurts do have higher fat content. This isn’t a problem in moderation, but too much can lead to health complications like pancreatitis and obesity. So, make sure that you limit how many treats you feed your dog at any one time. They are a fun occasional snack, not a substitute for his regular diet.

Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

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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