One of my most requested recipes is actually my homemade dog treats. A few years ago our Boxer “Lulu” was diagnosed with lymphoma. As part of her treatment at a local Veterinary school, she was seen by a Naturopathic Vet who revealed how unhealthy most dog treats are. We searched for healthy alternatives and I decided to try making my own. I have been doing this now for years and have perfected the recipe. Well – at least my official taste-tester “Wallace” (on left below) approves.

I like to make these in large batches so there is a bit of work involved. However – there are only 3 ingredients – pumpkin, coconut oil, and coconut flour. I also add some spices to make them more appealing but it probably doesn’t make much difference to them. I also add turmeric for the health benefits as advised by the Naturopath.

I was using a cookie press for these but found it to be frustrating to get the right consistency to prevent the dough from sticking to the press which makes this a very tedious process. Recently I bought a cake decorating gun which is so much easier! I can make various sizes but we like the “scooby snack” size and use them as rewards.

These can be made in the oven but I found it hard to get them crispy without burning them. The drier they are, the longer they will last. I do keep some in a container on the counter for quick rewards and keep any extra in the refrigerator or freezer. I have found that a dehydrator works the best and I can make the large batches.

Tips and tricks:

• Use a good food dehydrator to get the best “crunch” without burning. I use the highest temperature setting for about 6 hours but it will vary depending on the dehydrator and how wet the dough is. Mine goes up to 158 degrees.
• I highly recommend a dehydrator with stainless steel shelves. Plastic will warp and crack with regular use.
• Use parchment paper for easy cleanup. Some dehydrators come with silicone sheets which are nice but do require washing.
• Use latex gloves when making these. Loading the dough into the press is a messy job and it is an easy way to keep your hands clean.
• The drier these are, the longer they will last. Refrigerate or freeze the extras.