When you need a simple homemade dog cookie recipe that you can have ready in half an hour, these treats are perfect! They use only 3 ingredients, bake for 20 minutes and are full of beneficial nutrition.

Coconut flour is grain and gluten free and provides healthy oils for improving the skin and coat. Peanut  butter, ideally all natural, is a great source of protein and fantastic flavour. Lastly, the eggs provide additional protein and skin and coat healthy fats and oils. If you use all natural peanut butter, these treats are fairly low calorie!

Due to a lack of preservatives in this recipe, these cookies will need to be stored in the refrigerator and can also be frozen!


INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup of coconut flour
• 1 cup of all natural peanut butter
• 4 eggs
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine coconut flour, peanut butter and eggs in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly.
   
3. Shape into 1-inch balls or roll out and cut shapes with a cookie cutter.
4. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 17-20 minutes

For more homemade dog treat recipes and other blog posts, Like K9 Instinct on Facebook!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Autumn is here; The weather is getting colder and the trees are changing colours. What better way to celebrate the season of fall then by baking an easy, inexpensive tray of homemade dog treats filled with the flavours of the season!

Warm your home with the aroma of apples, cinnamon and pumpkin while making your furry family members a healthy treat they can truly enjoy that also carries with it some health benefits. These aromatic cookies are made with wholesome coconut flour, which is grain and gluten free and can improve the condition of your dog's skin and coat. Cinnamon is a stomach soother that can also help regulate blood sugar, improve digestion and alleviate inflammation. I've paired the Cinnamon with pure unsweetened applesauce and pure pumpkin puree, both of which are packed full of nutrition! Pumpkin can improve digestion, help firm stool up and soothe an upset tummy.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/2 cups of coconut flour
  
• 1 cup of applesauce
  
• 1 1/2 cups of pure pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
  
• 4 eggs
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
2. In a large bowl add your coconut flour, pure pumpkin puree, unsweetened applesauce, cinnamon and eggs.
   
3. Combine all 5 ingredients and mix thoroughly.
   
4. Cut out your shape of preference with a cookie cutter, then place cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
   
5. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.

This batch makes approximately 50 large cookies! Half the recipe for a smaller batch! I like making a big batch so that I can give cookies away to family and friends with dogs!

Coconut flour is a tricky flour to work with, it absorbs an immense amount of liquid and can be crumby at times. If your dough is too moist, add more coconut flour 1/4 cup at a time. If it is too dry, add more applesauce and pumpkin 1/4 cup at a time. Eggs are your binder, so if it is too crumby add another egg. This flour won't roll out the way wheat flour will, so just work with it! It will bake well and make a yummy soft dog cookie!

Since there are absolutely no preservatives used in this recipe they must be refrigerated. Cookies can be left out for 2 or 3 days at a time.

For more homemade recipes, nutrition information, blog articles and more like K9 Instinct on Facebook!

Don't forget to check out my other homemade dog treat recipes!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Dogs love fruit! Fruit is delicious, packed full of nutrition and can make a refreshing (and grain free) snack - a great alternative to store bought "junk" treats found in many pet stores. Fruit is also an important part of many homemade dog food diets, and can also be added to a raw food diet as well. When not incorporated into meals, fruit makes an excellent treat for dogs!

Not every fruit is safe for dogs, so I have compiled a list of fruit that has been proven safe and beneficial for our furry family members. While fruits (and vegetables) are not necessary in a dogs diet, they can certainly act as a nutritional boost or act as a healthy snack. Much like the "Healthy Vegetables for your Dogs" article I have previously written, you can use any of the fruits mentioned on the following list! Replace store bought treats with pieces of fruit, or add some fruit to your dogs diet and give them something nutritious and healthy!

Blueberries
These antioxidant rich berries are FULL of nutrition, including but not limited to vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin A, folate, phosphorus, calcium and potassium! Ideal for brain health, eye health and the cancer fighting properties!

Strawberries
Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and more, strawberries make a healthy and tasty treat that is low in calories and high in taste and nutrition. Another excellent frozen treat for dogs!

Pears
Do not feed seeds/core. Light, low calories and refreshing! Pears contain vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium! A few pear slices make an excellent summer treat!

Cranberries
Known for helping to maintain a healthy urinary tract, cranberries can help flush the kidneys and prevent urinary infections. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus and potassium!

Watermelon
Refreshing, full of water, and perfect for a fun snack on a hot summer day! Watermelon is full of vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and water! Watermelon is great for helping rehydrate dogs!

Cantaloup
Full of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, niacin, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and omega fatty acids, cantaloup is another fun and refreshing snack for dogs that can also help rehydrate them!

The Northern Biscuit Bakery is a phenomenal Canadian company producing a fantastic variety of wheat free and grain free dog cookies. All ingredients used within these recipes are sourced locally and are fresh, and the Northern Biscuits dog cookies are completely free of chemicals, useless fillers and any other junk ingredients dogs do not need in their bodies.

The Northern Biscuits Bakery is one of my favourite companies producing healthy dog treats, and their reputation is outstanding. The ingredient read is phenomenal, leaving no room for junk ingredients or unhealthy additives. The Northern brand ensures high quality treats with local ingredients that taste and smell as good as they look!

The treat packaging is beautiful and does an excellent job representing both the quality and flavours within the individual recipes. The cookies are crunchy, fresh, appealing and rustic looking. The recipes that include meat such as bison and tripe do not smell terrible, but the intensely flavoured recipes such as the Pumpkin Pie treats smell incredible.

In conclusion, I have to say I am very pleased with Northern Biscuit's impressive selection of wheat and grain free dog treats. The quality is high and consistent, and the ingredient read is top notch. You can't go wrong with these healthy, locally sourced treats.

When I brought these home, Hunter was very interested in the bags. I offered him three large Glazed Duck cookies and he drooled all over the floor while he ate them. Then, to my absolute surprise, he went in the kitchen and sat by the chest freezer on which the bag of cookies was sitting and stared me down. He liked them enough to sit by them and quietly ask for more, so they are a new favourite in our home!

Learn more about these phenomenal cookies by visiting the Northern Biscuit Bakery website! If you enjoyed this review, you can check out my other dog product reviews by clicking here. If you like to bake rather than buy, browse through my homemade dog treat recipes for inspiration!

Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog post updates and special promotions!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Designed for the working dog, dogs active in sports, and dogs with active lifestyles. Many dogs are always on the go and weight can be shed very quickly. These "power bars" are healthy high protein and high calorie alternatives to junk food dog treats. I cooked up this recipe in honour of my working dog, Hunter, who has trouble keeping weight on and is so active in the summer that he needs some extra calories!

These are great to take on hikes and to training and trialing events, offer one or two to restore energy and provide protein to continue preforming to the best of their ability.

Want more healthy and easy homemade dog treat recipes? Check out the "Homemade Treats" section of my blog! Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get all new blog updates, news, and promotions!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

The popularity of feeding real food to our furry family members is growing rapidly, which is a wonderful step forward in animal care. As pet owners learn that real food is superior to commercial kibble, they are more willing to add fresh whole food to their dogs' diets. This results in dogs getting whole food nutrition and people are often substituting poor quality "junk" treats for healthy fruits and vegetables.

The following list of vegetables are safe and healthy for your dog! While dogs do not need vegetables in their diet to survive, and don't receive a lot of nutrition from vegetables, they can make a great snack. Cooking (boiling, steaming or baking) or making a vegetable puree is the only way our dogs can derive good levels of nutrition from vegetables. Since dogs are carnivores and do not have the proper enzymes to digest vegetables, cooking or chopping them very finely helps "pre-digest" the vegetable matter for them so that nutrients are unleashed in the digestive tract and absorbed into the body easily.

Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is a highly nutritious vegetable full of beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E. This vegetable is best boiled and mashed or cut into chunks. Sweet potato is ideal in sick or bland diets to help bulk up food, add fiber and soothe the digestive system.

Carrots
Raw or boiled, carrots are an excellent snack rich in beta carotene, carotenoids and vitamin A. When raw, they can help clean the teeth by acting as a crunchy chew for dogs to gnaw on. Whether or not they are raw or boiled, they are well known for improving red pigments in the fur!

Green Beans
Full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, the B vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium - green beans are a super healthy snack. Crunchy when raw and excellent for bulking up food, green beans are safe and healthy for dogs! Green beans can be added to a dogs diet if they are notorious for always being hungry!

Pumpkin
Famous for being a digestive aid, pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and can both aid constipation and help firm up diarrhea. This vegetables is perfect for soothing an upset stomach! Pumpkin can be used to improve red pigment in a dogs coat.

Zucchini
Best fed cooked, zucchini is full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B-6. Zucchini is also low in calories. Zucchini is extremely popular in homemade dog food recipes for it's B vitamins and fiber!

Cucumber
Cucumber is a refreshing, healthy and crunchy vegetable dogs love! This is a great low calorie, low sugar option for dogs. Cut into thick slices and freeze for a hydrating snack in the hot months!

Broccoli
Loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B-6. Broccoli is fantastic steamed, baked or boiled, can be served cooked in the food bowl or given as a crunchy snack.

Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be fed just like broccoli, best steamed or boiled but it also makes a good crunchy snack. Cauliflower is full of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Celery
Celery is ideal for dogs who need a healthy, very low calorie and low sugar treat. Crunchy and delicious with a high water content, this is a perfect treat for dogs! While it is not as nutrient dense as other vegetables,  celery is a great source of potassium and fiber.

If you are interested in switching your dogs to a more whole food, natural diet consider learning about a raw food diet or a homemade diet.

Don't forget to come join our positive only, friendly, wonderful FB community for dog lovers: The K9 Connection.

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Baking your own dog cookies doesn't have to be difficult or expensive, you can easily provide healthy and cost effective alternatives to store bought treats to your dogs with ease.

K9 Instinct strives to create easy to make homemade dog cookie recipes that are healthy, nutritious and beneficial. Treats don't have to be junk food, they can be delicious and good for your canine family members!

This recipe uses grain-free coconut flour which contains medium chain fatty acids and is perfect for skin and coat health, promoting a thick and glossy coat. The raw grated carrots provide vitamins and beta-carotene which can improve coat pigment and are rich in anti-oxidants. The banana is high in potassium and tryptophan (converted into serotonin to alleviate depression and stress), and they also stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut while being a general aid for digestion. Eggs provide healthy, clean protein and will also improve coat condition!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups of coconut flour
• 1 cup of mashed ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup of grated carrots
• 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese
• 4 eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
2. In a large bowl add your coconut flour, mashed banana, grated raw carrot, cottage cheese and eggs.
   
3. Combine all 5 ingredients, mix thoroughly.
4. Cut out your shape of preference with a cookie cutter, then place cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes

For more delicious homemade dog treat recipes, check out the homemade treat category of the blog! Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new recipes and other blog article updates!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

My heart dog, my beloved beast Hunter, is turning two on the 26th of May. I wanted to bake him something special for his big day, and thought pupcakes would be an excellent makeshift birthday cake! What are pupcakes you ask? They are dog-friendly cupcakes that are much healthier than our own version of the delicious treat.

This pupcake recipe is grain-free, made with nutritious coconut flour that is phenomenal for the dog's skin and coat. If you want to make the wheat flour version of this pupcake recipe, substitute 1/2 cup of coconut flour with 1 cup of whole wheat flour.

Grain-Free Peanut Butter and Banana Pupcakes

• 1 cup of peanut butter
• 3 eggs
• 2 mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup of coconut flour
• 1/4 cup of cottage cheese
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp raw honey

Peanut Butter Icing

• 6 oz of cream cheese
• 4 oz of smooth peanut butter
• 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit .
2. Line a muffin pan with paper muffin cups.
3. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter, eggs, bananas, cottage cheese and honey. Mix in the coconut flour and baking soda. Mix well.
4. Use two spoons to drop dollops of dough into the muffin cups and fill the cups 3/4 of the way.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. Let your dogs lick the spoons clean. (Very important step!)
7. In a small bowl cream together the cream cheese, oil and peanut butter.
8. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes.
9. Let the muffins cool then ice the pupcakes and place freeze dried liver treats on top.
10. Serve, and enjoy the delight on their faces as they chow down!
    

Healthy, dog-friendly and perfect for birthdays or other celebrations. These delicious pupcakes are sure to please the furry family members in your home.

For more recipes and other blog updates, don't forget to like us on Facebook! You can also view my other homemade recipes here!

I want to use some space here to wish my beautiful boy a very happy second birthday! We will be at a dog event on May 26th when he turns two, so I will be bringing a container of pupcakes with me for him and his friends to celebrate with.

Hunter, you are my heart and soul. My protector, my loyal companion, my constant shadow, my working partner, my cuddlebug, my world. I love you to pieces, Hunter. Happy birthday, my boy. <3

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Dogs love snacks, so give them something healthy! There is no reason to spend a lot of money either. Homemade recipes to fill your dog's kong with will keep them happy and busy while making your life a bit easier!

I love to keep my dogs busy, which is why I am constantly coming up with recipe ideas to fill their kongs with! Healthy alternatives to the expensive store bought filling and low quality treats they recommend you fill the stuff-able toy with. The kong, or similar toys, are an excellent way to provide mental stimulation and enrichment for your dogs. I especially love to offer a filled kong snack after a long hike or outdoor adventure, since it is a great way for dogs to wind down and enjoy a snack!

Cheesy Yoghurt Filling

• 1 cup of plain yoghurt
• 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese

Simple Honey and Yoghurt Filling

• 1 cup of plain yoghurt
• 1 tablespoon of honey (raw and local is the best!)

Shepherd's Pie

• 1 cup of mashed oven baked potato
• 1/2 cup of boiled ground beef
• 1/8th teaspoon of parsley
• 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese

Electrolyte Boost
Perfect for a hot day or following lots of exercise.

• 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup of boiled sweet potato
• 1-2 tablespoons of unflavoured Pedialyte

Macaroni and Cheese

• 1 cup of whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese

Peanut Butter and Banana

• 1/2 cup of peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of mashed bananas

Fruit and Veggies

• 2 tablespoons of frozen blueberries
• 2 tablespoons of chopped banana
• 2 tablespoons of chopped strawberries
• 1 cup of boiled mashed sweet potato

Sweet Potato and Shredded Chicken

• 1 cup of mashed boiled sweet potato
• 1/2 a cup of shredded boiled chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese

For more kong filling recipes, check out part one of this article! You can also look at all my homemade dog cookie recipes here!



Don't forget to like K9 Instinct on Facebook to get new blog updates, news and other dog related tips!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com

Homemade, grain-free and loaded with nutrition! You can't go wrong with these super delicious dog treats made with coconut flour, peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce and a touch of honey! These moist treats make the perfect inexpensive alternative to buying training treats at home. Simply shape the dough into small bite-sized balls and use them for training!

Coconut flour is a tasty alternative to grain flours, the perfect ingredient for dogs who suffer from grain allergies and sensitivities. Coconut flour targets the skin and coat to help make a dog's fur soft, thick and healthy. If your dog has dry skin or dandruff, this is the perfect treat for them! Peanut butter and unsweetened applesauce provide flavour and aroma to make for a high value treat that can be used in training. Moist, bite-sized and quickly eaten - these treats are sure to help train even the most stubborn of dogs!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups of coconut flour
• 1 cup of smooth peanut butter
• 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
• 3 eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl add coconut flour, peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce and eggs.
3. Combine thoroughly.
4. Roll into bite-sized balls on to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes depending on your size of treat.
   

Easy to make, inexpensive, healthy and delicious! Any dog cookie with peanut butter and applesauce is sure to please your furry family member's tummy!

I use these treats for tracking and training, and they have never let me down! Hunter will do just about anything for these.

Don't have coconut flour? You can use 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 2 eggs instead! These homemade dog treats can be left on the counter for a maximum of two days before they will need to go in the fridge. It's the price we pay for feeding whole food treats with zero preservatives!

For more delicious homemade dog treat recipes, visit the "homemade treat" section of my blog!

Don't forget to "like" K9 Instinct on Facebook for updates and new blog posts!

Angel
K9 Instinct
www.k9instinct.com