Things You'll Need
Two 4-ounce jars of applesauce baby food
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
Cooking spray
Food processor with blade attachment
Rubber spatula
Tablespoon-sized measuring spoon
Cookie sheet
Applesauce and oatmeal aren't just healthy foods for you. They're also healthy for your dog. Apples benefit Sparky's immune system, stimulating it to fight bacteria and viruses and to help build tissue, too. According to Cherie Fehrman's book "Only Angels: How to Raise and Train the Perfect Sighthound," apples detoxify the liver, and the pepsin in apples soothes your dog's stomach. There are numerous recipes for dog cookies that incorporate applesauce and oatmeal with other ingredients. However, applesauce and oatmeal by themselves make a tasty, healthy treat for Sparky, and you won't have to fret over the healthiness factor of additional ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Spray the cookie sheet with cooking spray.
Pour the oatmeal into a food processor and grind it until the oats are powdery and resemble flour.
Pour the baby food into the food processor along with the oats and use the pulse setting to incorporate the two ingredients until they form a thick mixture.
Remove the blade attachment from the food processor and use the rubber spatula to clean it, scraping the excess mixture back into the food processor's bowl with the rest of the dough.
Scoop up the mixture using the tablespoon and drop rounded mounds onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Place the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until firm and set.
Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow the treats to cool on the sheet before feeding to your dog.
Tips
Tablespoon-sized treats are appropriate for larger dogs such as boxers and pit bulls, but they'll be more than a mouthful for smaller breeds. Use a measuring teaspoon to make smaller treats for your Yorkie or Chihuahua, and reduce the baking time to 15 minutes.
Any treat, even wholesome homemade cookies, should count toward Sparky's entire daily calorie intake. Reduce the amount of kibble you give him if you're going to feed him treats.
Use baby food rather than normal applesauce. Baby food usually doesn't have added sugar or salt, especially if it's an organic brand, so it will be healthier for your pooch.
References
Photo Credits
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Kelly Lawrence/Demand Media
Writer Bio
Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.
