In December, we all crave something delicious, treating ourselves to a little extra, like a panettone or hot chocolate. We're always thinking about what we can buy to eat and share at the table with our loved ones, but when we see our furry friends sitting next to us, their tender eyes looking at us and begging for a piece of that sweet treat, it's a shame we can't give it to them. Not because we don't want to, but because we know it contains ingredients that are harmful to them and that they cannot consume.
That's why, so you can include them in these family moments and share with them, we bring you three recipes for healthy and safe cookies that you can give them as a treat or reward whenever you want to pamper them a little.
Liver and Beet Cookie Recipe
These cookies are very nutritious and healthy for your dog, as liver is a rich source of iron, zinc, and B-complex vitamins. And beets contain fiber for good digestion and intestinal transit.
For this dough, you will need:
- 250 gr whole wheat flour
- 75 gr oat flour
- 1 egg
- 250 gr cooked chicken liver
- 1 cooked and grated beet
- 30 ml olive oil (two tablespoons)
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 180°C and start by mixing the flours with the egg. Then add the beet, oil, and liver. Grind everything very well so that all ingredients are adequately mixed. Place the dough in molds or make small balls and flatten them, then bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
Apple and Cinnamon Cookie Recipe
These cookies provide fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that aid in our dogs' digestion. Apples contain fiber and vitamins (A, C) which are very beneficial for our dogs; and cinnamon, in controlled amounts, can help regulate blood sugar in diabetic or elderly dogs, reduce inflammation in cases of osteoarthritis, fight fungi and bacteria, and improve digestion thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
For this second recipe, you will need:
- 250 gr whole wheat flour
- 125 gr oat flour
- 1 grated apple (peeled and deseeded)
- 1 egg
- 12 gr ground cinnamon (one teaspoon)
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 175°C. First, mix the flours, then the egg, and finally the apple and cinnamon until you achieve a uniform dough. Place it in molds and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
Banana and Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
This mixture is a perfect snack for our furry friends. Bananas are a source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins (B6, C) that improve digestion and strengthen bones and the immune system; while peanut butter provides protein, healthy fats, and vitamins (A, E, B) that boost our pets' energy.
Here you will need:
- 250 gr oat flour
- 125 gr whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 2 bananas
- 100 gr unsalted peanut butter (approximately 3 tablespoons)
Preparation:
First, preheat the oven to 175°C. In one bowl, mix the flours; and in another, mash the bananas with a fork until pureed, then add the peanut butter and egg. Mix everything very well, and once everything is incorporated, add this mixture to the bowl with the flours and continue beating until you have a uniform dough. Then place it in baking molds and bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
These three healthy dog cookie recipes are very easy and quick to make. To give them a festive touch, you can use molds appropriate for the occasion or decorate them on top with natural yogurt and gelatin. Here's how to do it:
For the frosting, you will need:
- 1 cup Greek or natural yogurt without sugar or additives.
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin.
- 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water
For preparation, in a small bowl, mix the gelatin with the warm water until there are no lumps, then let it rest for one minute. It is advisable for the yogurt to be at room temperature so that the gelatin does not set when added. Therefore, leave it at room temperature first, then pour in the gelatin and beat vigorously until you have a homogeneous and creamy mixture.
If you want to apply the mixture with a pastry bag, leave it in the refrigerator for 15 – 20 minutes before using. Remember to apply the frosting to cold or room temperature cookies so it doesn't melt. And once decorated, put them back in the refrigerator.
These are natural recipes without preservatives, so the cookies should be consumed within 4 days and always stored in the refrigerator.
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