The dog owners amongst you know how pricy dog treats often are and how hard it can be to find decent meat free options. Vegan treats are often loaded with additives and so I figured why not just make them myself – it’s easy and a fun activity to do with the kids, plus you have full control over what goes into them. Although dogs have a different digestive system to us, they benefit from the addition of some fibre as well (dogs can get constipated just like we do!). These treats can’t be used to replace their food, but they are a very healthy addition to your pup’s diet. Most dogs really enjoy sweet potatoes and carrots, and they certainly love peanut butter (100% peanuts, no added salt, sugar or palm oil). Flaxseed contributes to a shiny coat (it’s a rich source of the omega 3 fatty acid ALA), the apple gives them a hint of sweetness and gram flour adds extra protein.
What you need:
2 carrots – peeled and cut into cubes
1 medium sweet potato – peeled and cut into cubes
1 small apple – peeled, cored and cut into cubes
1 heaped tbsp of peanut butter
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
100g gram flour
100g white flour
(Too much fibre can cause loose stools which is why I peel all the fruit and veg and use white instead of wholemeal flour)
How you do it:
Bring a medium sized pan of water to the boil.
Add sweet potato and carrot cubes and boil for about 5mins until they start to soften.
Now add the apple cubes and boil for a further 5mins.
Once everything is soft drain the water and using a handheld blender or potato masher blend/mash everything until you have a smooth puree.
Transfer the mash to a bowl and stir in the peanut butter and flaxseed.
Now slowly sift in your gram and white flour, stirring constantly to avoid getting lumps.
Once the dough is ready it’s probably still quite warm and sticky, I recommend you put it in the fridge or freezer for a good 10-15mins (even a bit longer if you want to use cookie cutters).
Preheat your oven at fan 150C and start rolling the dough into little balls using the palms of your hands.
If using cookie cutters make sure the dough is very cold before rolling it out using a rolling pin, a little extra dusting of flour (whichever you prefer) will make your life a lot easier.
Now bake your balls or bones for about 15mins, they are meant to be a little chewy inside so don’t worry if they still feel a little soft when you take them out, they will harden further once cooled down.
Keep in an airtight container for up to a week.
