How to Make Healthy Treats for Your Dog

Your dog cannot get enough!  They are tasty, chewy, juicy, and yummy!  Those tasty morsels of food are what dogs know as TREATS!  Dogs live to eat, and they behave very quickly when getting a food reward.  However, not only can treats be expensive, they may contain multiple ingredients, some of which are not good for your dog.  Making your own treats is a way to limit expense while ensuring that the ingredients used are high quality.  All you need are a few ingredients and a food dehydrator.

Ingredients:  bananas, sweet potato, coconut oil, cinnamon

Bananas are high in potassium, manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, biotin, and copper.  However, due to their sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not on a regular basis.

Sweet potatoes are high in vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as calcium, potassium, iron, and fiber.  Eating sweet potatoes on a regular basis can help to maintain healthy bowel movements.

Coconut oil can improve coats, alleviate dry skin, and improve digestion.

Cinnamon can be toxic to dogs in high amounts but in small amounts, it can help to improve brain function, decrease inflammation, and help regulate blood sugar.

Steps:

1)  Cut small slices of banana and sweet potato.  The thinner the slice, the faster the food will dehydrate.

2)  Dip the slices into 1 teaspoon of melted coconut oil and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon.  Depending on how large the batch of bananas and sweet potatoes, you may need a larger mixture to coat fruit and/or vegetables.

3)  After dipping, lay fruit and veggie slices onto the mesh tray.

4)  Set dehydrator to 135°F (fruit/vegetable setting).

5)  Dehydrate banana and sweet potato until crisp, making sure to flip slices every few hours while dehydrating.  Dehydrating can take several hours to complete.

6)  When cooled, feed to your dog as a treat.

*If treats are not completely dehydrated and are tender, it is best to store uneaten treats in the freezer to maintain freshness.  When needed, pull out of freezer and let unthaw for a few hours before giving to your pup. Depending on the health and age of your pup, having some tenderness to the treats may make it easier to eat.

Treats are delicious ways to reward your dog for a job well done.  These treats are easy to make, and you can enlist the help of your dog.  Make your dog part of the snack making process and let them sample some of the fruit while cutting it into slices.   Every kitchen needs a taste tester, right?

What are you waiting for? Power up your food dehydrator and get to slicing! These treats are not only affordable but easy to make!  Healthy food never tasted so good.  Just ask my dogs, Cooper and Phoenix.  They cannot get enough!