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Gluten-Free Dog Treats

Foodie Friday

Dec 16, 2011 by Serena Kovalosky

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Last week, I shared a yummy recipe for homemade Bacon Doggie Biscuits. Since “gluten-free” is becoming popular as people adopt healthier eating habits, I wanted to also share a low-fat, gluten-free alternative for people who want their dogs to eat healthy, too!

I must warn you, however, that dogs are no different than the rest of us. They have a taste for treats that are a bit more decadent than this one, so if you offer them one of these “good-for-you” snacks, they just might look up at you as if to say, “Where’s the Beef?”

One little dog named Spencer, who’s a rather finicky eater, was clearly not interested in these new-fangled dog bones. His owner, a journalist from an area newspaper who had written an article on my dog-biscuit endeavors, told me that although he didn’t eat the bones, he did something quite unusual: Spencer decided that my homemade doggie bones made great toys and has been carrying them around house ever since. He leaves them under the bed, on the sofa, in the den…… Since I’m an artist, I’m thinking it might be because Spencer has an unusually-developed appreciation for my sculptural aesthetic!

On the other hand, my neighbor’s dog loves them, but she’ll eat anything.

So your dog may or may not appreciate your good intentions, but at least you’ll feel great offering your fuzzy friend a healthier option to the mass-produced Milk Bone!

I found this recipe online at Dog Treat Recipes – – and modified it for this gluten-free version.

Low–Fat, Gluten-Free Carrot Dog Treats

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana
1 c. shredded carrots
1/4 c. unsweetened apple juice
1½ c. gluten-free baking flour (for a non-gluten-free option, use whole wheat flour)

1/4 tsp. xantham gun (not needed if using the whole wheat flour for the non-gluten-free option)
1 c. rolled oats

Nonstick cooking spray or Crisco

Cornmeal for rolling

Bone-shaped cookie cutter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Grease cookie sheets with cooking spray or Crisco.

In a large bowl, mash the banana with a fork.

Shred the carrotts and grind into smaller pieces in a food processor. Mix with the banana.

Add the apple juice and stir.

Add flour, xanthan gum and oats and mix all of the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined. You may add more juice to get a workable consistency.

Sprinkle rolling area with cornmeal to prevent sticking.

Flatten dough and sprinkle top with cornmeal. Roll out dough to a little over 1/4 inch thick. Use a bone-shaped cookie cutter (or any other interesting shape) to cut the dough.

Place treats on greased cookie sheets and bake for 25 minutes. You can let them cool right in the oven for crunchier snacks.

As there are no preservatives in these treats, you can freeze them if you want to store them for longer periods of time.

I’d love to hear how your dogs like these Gluten-Free Carrott Treats!

About the Author

Serena Kovalosky Has Written 10 Articles For Us!

Serena Kovalosky left an 18-year corporate career in the travel industry in search of a more creative lifestyle. Establishing herself as a successful professional sculptor, Serena now travels with the eye of an artist, exploring artists' studios, eclectic restaurants and cultural gems off the beaten path, chronicling her discoveries and sharing stories of the creative people she meets along the way.

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