I only make a couple of things for my pups at home. However, I do offer dehydrated and fresh fruits and dried sweet potatoes that I make at home, though there isn’t really a recipe for those. Just follow your dehydrator’s instructions. You can read more on my thoughts regarding homemade dog food in my Doggy Diets post.
Peanut butter banana bread cookies
Oats are a great source of fiber for pups, and it helps nourish their skin. My picky eaters seem to love every ingredient in this recipe, so don’t forget your little ones as you try all these oat recipes! I’ve used two blogs for inspiration Damn Delicious blog and It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken.
INGREDIENTS
2 bananas
1/2 cup peanut butter (choose peanuts as the only ingredient; avoid Xylitol & other toxic ingredients)
2 cups rolled oats
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place all ingredients in a food processor; blend until fully combined and a paste forms, scraping the sides as needed. Transfer paste to a greased baking sheet (seriously, look into oil misters if you don’t have one already) and spread until the paste is 1/8 to 1/4″ thick – thicker for a chewy treat; thinner for a crunchy one.
Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut into small pieces. A pizza cutter works really well for this! Toss the pieces on the baking sheet (to expose the underside; it’s not necessary to flip every single piece). Place back in the oven and cook for approximately 7 minutes or until slightly golden. Time will vary depending on the thickness of your cookies.
Remove from oven and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container. These only last about a week outside the fridge and as much as my pups love them, I don’t let them eat too many or they will spoil their appetites. So, once cool I place about half of the treats on a baking sheet with space in between each cookie and then place in the freezer overnight. I imagine they’d last several months stored in a freezer-safe container, but they don’t last that long in my house. They take almost no time to thaw out once you take them out of the freezer, so they’re basically ready right away.
NOTE: The Damn Delicious blog uses coconut oil for half of the peanut butter. I’ve tried it both ways, and my pups loved it. So if you want to incorporate coconut oil into your pup’s diet, this is a good way to do it. Some vets warn against using coconut oil, but my vet says he’s comfortable with it.
To administer, I squat on the ground with my dog between my legs, placing the syringe just outside her teeth. Then I squirt a small amount, which causes her to open her mouth enough for me to fit the syringe in between her teeth. I slowly dispense the remaining amount so that she can easily swallow small amounts at a time.
Slippery Elm Sludge for an Upset Tummy
My vet highly recommends this concoction for dogs and cats experiencing diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, flatulence or other upset tummy issue. We have found it to be quite helpful and definitely recommend giving it a try. Of course, always consult your vet to make sure nothing serious is going on with your pet. This mixture is safe for long-term use. I was able to find all these ingredients at my local grocery store, but you might need to try a health food store for some ingredients if your grocery store is limited.
INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon Slippery Elm Bark Powder (loose or from capsules)
¼ cup Aloe Vera Juice
20 drops Chlorophyll Liquid (mint flavor is OK)
3 Acidophilus Tablets or Capsules
DIRECTIONS
Place 1 teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder into a small container (ideally one with a lid and large enough to hold a couple of cups). Add ¼ cup boiling water and stir. Allow to cool, stirring occasionally. When cool, add ¼ cup aloe vera juice, 20 drops of chlorophyll liquid and the contents of 3 acidophilus capsules (or 3 crushed tablets). Stir everything together. This mixture must be refrigerated for storage and will only last 3 days. Discard after 3 days. The amount in this recipe makes just over 3 days’ worth for a medium-sized dog, if you’re giving the sludge twice daily. Adjust the recipe based on your pet’s size how frequently you’re dosing.
DOSING GUIDELINES
Stir well before each use. I found it easiest to administer using a syringe. Just suck up the liquid to the appropriate dose. If the mix has been in the fridge (i.e. you didn’t just make it), you might want to let it sit on the counter for a little bit so it won’t be so cold going down your pet’s throat. To administer, I crouch on my knees behind Chops and gently tilt her head slightly upward, which encourages her to sit into the confines of my legs. I place the syringe at her back teeth and squirt just a small amount, which usually causes her to open her mouth. I slide the syringe in slightly so that she’ll bite on it, and then I squirt a very small amount into her mouth at a time until all the liquid is dispensed.
Give 30 minutes prior to feeding. Can give 3 to 4 times daily (every 6 to 8 hours) as needed.
Each time you administer, you’ll want to give this amount based on the size of your pet.
Cats: 2 to 3 milliliters (~ ½ teaspoon)
Small Dogs: 3 to 5 milliliters (~ 1/2 to 1 teaspoon)
Medium Dogs: 8 to 10 milliliters (~ 2 teaspoons)
Large Dogs: 10 to 12 milliliters (~ 2 + ½ teaspoons)
Extra Large Dogs: 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon)
This article is part of a longer series: What I’ve Learned as a Dog Mom
