I think we all know a happy dog means a happy home. Apollo reminds me of this daily. (“Is it time to play ball yet? Play ball? Ball?! No? How about now? Ball?”) While he is not at all motivated by food (weird, right?) he is very motivated by play. That’s why I was surprised that he totally loses his mind over these simple, whole wheat seeded peanut butter dog treats. No matter his mood, he will always eat one–and coming from a dog who sometimes turns his nose up at the scraps from my meal, I figure this must mean something.
When I make Apollo’s food, one of my primary concerns is that he’s not getting enough healthy fats. A lot of my research concluded that adding too much by way of cooking oils or spices is not great for dogs–that they’re better off getting omegas from fish, and natural fats in meats. Earnestly, I bought Apollo a sleeve of cod skins to chew on, thinking he would find their odor irresistible. I had visions of this already gleaming animal glowing with health after being introduced to fish oil, and was already planning out visits to the veterinarian when he hits 15, the astonished vet shaking their head, saying “I’ve never seen a golden with joints this well lubricated before!”
I removed the cod skin from its plastic sheath and took the Golden Boy outside, using my “this is really exciting” voice. Slowly, I handed him the fish part, expecting him to take off to a corner of the lawn and chew on it with gusto for the better part of the afternoon. To my chagrin, he instantly spat it out and moved the taste around his mouth with his tongue, which he does when he doesn’t like something. Then he went and found a soiled tennis ball, which he pointedly dropped at my feet. Oh well. I tried.
But these treats? Oh yeah, he loves ’em. And the joke’s on him, because I’ve snuck omegas into these bad boys by way of the hemp hearts.
Whole Wheat Seeded Peanut Butter Dog Treats
This recipe is so fun to make! Basically, everything gets thrown together in one bowl. The dough rolls out very nicely as long as you have a floured surface. I can crank out 96 of these in one batch easy. (I have a 1″ biscuit cutter.)
I mean, I’ve almost considered eating these biscuits. Apollo’s enthusiasm is dangerously contagious…
Whole Wheat Seeded Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Makes about 100 1” dog treats
Ingredients
- 1 c creamy peanut butter (other high-fat nut butters would work too, but peanut’s often cheaper)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 ½ c whole wheat flour
- ¾ c water
- ¼ c hemp hearts
- ¼ c sunflower seeds, or other seeds
- 1 heaping Tbs turmeric
- A few twists of freshly ground black pepper (to activate turmeric)
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs together. Add peanut butter to the eggs and mix together until well incorporated. Add whole wheat flour, hemp hearts, seeds, turmeric, pepper, and water. Mix together until dough forms a ball. It will feel a little oily, but should come together in a solid mass.
Dust a clean, flat surface with more whole wheat flour and roll dough out until about 1/4” thick. Cut with the cookie cutter of your choice, or with an upturned glass if you have no biscuit cutters. Place cookies on a baking sheet. Don’t worry about spacing with these guys—there’s no leavening agent and therefore they have very little “movement” during the bake. I pack as many as I can onto a baking sheet.
Bake for 18-23 minutes, or until the cookies have a golden brown look on both top and bottom and are “snap-able.” Store in an airtight container, and avoid allowing moisture in; these also freeze beautifully. Don’t forget to make your pooch sit first! 🙂
