Spinach And Carrot Dog Treat Recipe
The perfect way to hide the power of spinach is in a delish treat!
Did you know that spinach is good for dogs? It’s packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin K, beta-carotene, and plant crude fiber, which can promote a healthy tummy and help poops. Did you also know that most dogs won’t eat spinach as a leafy green? That means if we want our pooches to partake in all of its wonderful benefits, we need to hide or mask it so they don’t catch on to our dubious scheme. That’s why I’m sneaking all that goodness in these Spinach and Carrot Dog Treats. Bonus: They’ve also got carrots and Brewer’s yeast in them for added health perks!
Spinach and Carrot Dog Treat Recipe
Makes 40 cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/8 cup Brewer’s Yeast
- 1 cup spinach, fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Puree the spinach, carrots, and water in a blender.
- In a large bowl, mix oats, flour and Brewer’s yeast, and olive oil.
- Pour the puree into a bowl and mix well with the dry ingredients. The dough will be moist.
- Roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness onto a floured countertop. You may need to spray your rolling pin with oil-based cooking spray so the dough doesn’t stick to it. Cut with cookie cutters and place on baking sheets.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 hours. Store in airtight containers and keep in refrigerator or freezer.
Why Add Carrot to Your Dog’s Treats?
We already looked at why spinach is a great addition to your dog’s diet, but the other vegetable this treat offers is carrots. These crunch orange snacks have a lot of great nutritional benefits for your dog to enjoy! Carrots are a reliable source of vitamin A, beta-carotene, fiber, and potassium. This valuable combination will benefit your dog in many ways.
Carrots are well known for their ability to support eye health. They help to slow the effects of aging on your dog’s vision while preventing conditions like night blindness. But that’s not the only benefit! They will also help to boost your dog’s immune system. Not only is your dog’s immune system the first line of defense against infections and illnesses, but it also plays an important role in preventing more serious diseases.
The dietary fiber content in carrots is also highly beneficial. This bulks up your dog’s stool, helping to address and relieve diarrhea. It also encourages the digestive system to work effectively. This will help to prevent blockages, reduce any gas build-up in your dog’s digestive system, and promote regular bowel movements.
What Are the Benefits of Brewer’s Yeast for Dogs?
The other valuable ingredient in these treats is the use of brewer’s yeast. This specialty yeast was originally designed for beer making (hence the name) but it’s packed with B vitamins and protein. This will help to decrease inflammation, improve gut health, boost the immune system, aid in digestion, and improve skin and coat health.
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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