My grandmother clipped a version of this recipe from a newspaper and sent it to me years ago, and I've since veganized it and made it more nutritious. Dogs and cats love these (and in our experience so do horses, mice, deer, chipmunks...) :-) Our dogs are absolutely crazy about these treats, and every friend's dogs or cats I've ever made them for has been wild about them too. My friend Marisa can no longer get the molasses down from her cupboard without being mugged by her three dogs, because they are just certain she's about to make them these treats! (You have to love that boundless canine optimism!) :-)
While these are certainly fine for two-leggeds to eat, their lack of sugar makes them pretty unappetizing to most human tastebuds. So you might want to warn spouses or children or label them before setting them out to cool or putting them away in a container. I say this because one friend's hapless husband mistook them for macaroons! (Ha, served him right, sneaking a treat off the cooling rack without permission!)
Holiday Critter Treats
- 2 TBSP ground organic flaxseeds + 6 TBSP water
- 3 TBSP molasses (organic blackstrap is higher in nutrients, but regular molasses works too)
- 1/4 cup organic unsweetened applesauce (or organic canola oil)
- 1/4 cup organic unsweetened soymilk (or almond milk)
- 3/4 cup organic wheat germ (toasted or raw)
- 1/4 cup organic whole wheat flour
- 1 cup organic rolled oats ("quick" or regular)
Blend the ground flaxseeds and water in a blender or whisk well and let sit about 10 minutes until it becomes gelatinous (flaxseeds are high in important Omega-3 fatty acids).
Mix with the remaining ingredients and drop by teaspoon on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 350ยบ for 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and allow treats to dry until crunchy.
Store in airtight container.
My treats don't always turn out crunchy, but the dogs don't care either way! :-) Sometimes they come out pretty crunchy, but get soft when stored. If that happens, just put the container in the fridge so they won't get moldy.
Of course, your critter friends and family members can enjoy these treats throughout the year, not just during the holidays!
For lots more healthy, homemade vegan dog treats, pay a visit to my friend Molly's wonderful blog, It's A Vegan Dog's Life.
I have a similar recipe to this, but I'm definitely going to be trying these out. I'm sure that my girls would love them! Oh, and thanks so much for the mention. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's the same recipe I sent Emma for her birthday. :-) I think I'll make your Pumpkin Apple Muffins for my girls tomorrow. Supposed to be a snowy day (good for baking!) and I have some leftover pumpkin that needs using.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome for the mention! Thank you for the nifty flag counter, which I saw on your page and just added to mine! :-)
Sound good enough for us upright walkers to eat :D.
ReplyDeleteDon't they, though, Spudly? Maybe CG will whip you up a batch this weekend, since you've been such a good boy! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery sweet! I will be making these when we can finally adopt a dog again in the spring.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky dog s/he will be, Marla! :-)
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