Christmas Cheese Dog Treat Recipe

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic

Oh Christmas Cheese, Oh Christmas Cheese, how yummy in our tummies! I don’t know about your dog, but Oscar is a huge fan of cheese. With all of the cheese platters we’ll be indulging in, it only seems fair that our pooches get a little cheese treat of their own. And the Christmas Cheese Dog Treat Recipe is just thing that will satisfy their craving. And if you have gluten-free oat flour, this can turn into a gluten-free dog treat.


Christmas Cheese Dog Treat Recipe


Makes about 25-30 medium-sized treats


Ingredients:


1 cup chicken broth


1 cup rice flour


2/3 cup oat flour


¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese


Directions:


  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together rice flour, oat flour and cheddar cheese. Add in the broth slowly to mix. Once it starts becoming stiff, use hand to knead the dough.
  3. Form into a ball, wrap in saran wrap and chill in fridge for 10 minutes.
  4. After the dough has chilled, roll ¼ inch thick onto floured surface and cut out using cookie cutters.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes, turn off oven and leave them to dry out for an additional 30 minutes.
  6. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze.


You don’t have to use cheddar cheese in this recipe – it’s really up to you (and your dog).


Benefits of Cheese for Your Pup


We often see cheese as nothing but a fun snack, but this delicious ingredient actually offers some great nutritional benefits. Cheese is packed with calcium, protein, zinc, and phosphorus. It’s also a great source of vitamins A and B12. It’s a great choice as a training treat, cutting it up into tiny bite-sized pieces to entice your dog to give you his undivided attention as well as to reward him when he behaves well and masters obedience commands.


However, before you go running to include cheese in every meal, it should only be offered in moderation as an occasional treat. Unlike humans, a dog’s digestive system doesn’t produce enough of the enzyme lactase to break down the lactose in milk products. Eating too much cheese can cause digestive upset, nausea, or diarrhea. It is also high in fat which can lead to weight gain. With so many dogs suffering from obesity, you should always remain highly aware of your dog’s fat and calorie intake.


Consider alternating cheese-based treats like this with fresh fruits or vegetables. That way, your dog can enjoy all of the flavors that he likes best without compromising his overall health and well-being.


What’s your dog’s favorite cheese to eat? Let us know in the comment section below.

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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