Healthy Fresh Breath Dog Treats
Is your pup’s breath making you keep your distance? These fresh breath dog treats are the perfect solution for fighting dog bad breath while giving your furry friend something delicious to enjoy. Made with natural ingredients like mint and parsley, these homemade treats will freshen your dog’s breath naturally.
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Looking for other ways to pamper your pet? Try my No Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (just omit the chocolate for a pet-safe version), or check out my Homemade Almond Milk as a special occasional treat for your furry friend!
Reasons You’ll Love These Treats
- Natural Breath Freshener: These dog dental treats contain mint, parsley, and activated charcoal that naturally combat doggy bad breath without harsh chemicals.
- Healthy Ingredients: Made with brown rice flour, spirulina powder, and brewer’s yeast, these treats support both dental health and overall wellness for your pup.
- Long-Lasting Freshness: The crunchy texture helps clean teeth while your dog chews, reducing plaque and tartar buildup for better oral health.
- Customizable Shapes: Use bone-shaped cookie cutters or any design you like to make these treats fun for both you and your dog!
What Makes These Treats Special for Dog Breath?
Fresh breath dog treats differ from regular dog biscuits because they contain specific ingredients known to combat bad breath in dogs. Mint and parsley are natural breath fresheners that help neutralize odors, while activated charcoal helps absorb toxins that can cause stinky breath. Spirulina adds additional health benefits while supporting digestive health, which can also impact your dog’s breath.
Fresh Breath Dog Treat Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Brown Rice Flour – A gentle, gluten-free flour that’s easy on your dog’s digestion and perfect for dogs with wheat sensitivities.
- Fresh Parsley – This herb is nature’s breath freshener and contains chlorophyll that helps neutralize bad breath while providing vitamins for your pup.
- Fresh Mint Leaves – Mint freshens breath naturally and can help soothe digestive issues that might contribute to bad breath in dogs.
- Gala Apple – Adds natural sweetness and fiber to help with digestion. You could also use apples from these fall apple recipes for variety.
- Unrefined Coconut Oil – Helps maintain healthy skin and coat while potentially improving dental health through its antimicrobial properties.
- Eggs – Provide protein and help bind the treats together, similar to how they work in easy homemade cookie recipes.
- Plain Yogurt – Contains probiotics that support digestive health and can help with breath issues stemming from gut imbalances.
- Brewer’s Yeast – Rich in B vitamins and often used to support skin health and repel fleas naturally.
- Activated Charcoal – Helps absorb toxins and reduce odors, making it excellent for freshening breath.
- Spirulina Powder – A nutrient-dense algae that contains chlorophyll to help neutralize bad breath while providing vitamins and minerals.
Substitutions and Additions
- Flour Options – If you don’t have brown rice flour, try a rice flour alternative or oat flour as safe substitutions for dogs.
- Apple Substitution – Use ½ cup unsweetened applesauce instead of fresh apple, similar to substitutions in baking for human recipes.
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs – If using dried herbs instead of fresh, reduce the amount to ¼ cup of each.
- Spirulina Alternative – Chlorophyll supplements can replace spirulina powder for similar breath-freshening benefits.
- Coconut Oil Options – Refined coconut oil works fine if you don’t have unrefined, though the treats may be less aromatic.
How to Make Fresh Breath Dog Treats (step-by-step directions)
STEP 1. Peel and core the apple, then rough chop it for the food processor.
STEP 2. Place mint and parsley leaves in the food processor first, with apple pieces on top (this prevents the leaves from moving up). Pour melted coconut oil over everything and pulse several times. (Photo 1)
STEP 3. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides until most leaf and apple pieces are uniformly chopped.
STEP 4. Add yogurt and pulse once before adding eggs and blending everything together. (Photo 2)
STEP 5. Once wet ingredients are well-combined, add the Brewer’s Yeast, Activated Charcoal, and Spirulina Powder for one more quick blend. (Photo 3)
STEP 6. In a large bowl, pour the wet ingredient mixture, then gradually add the rice flour while stirring. The mixture will initially seem dry but will become stickier as you mix. Use your hands to fold the dough over itself until all flour is incorporated. (Photos 4 & 5)
STEP 7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
STEP 8. Preheat oven to 375°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
STEP 9. Remove dough from the refrigerator and divide in half if desired for easier handling.
STEP 10. On a lightly floured surface or between two sheets of parchment paper, roll the dough to ¼-½ inch thickness. (Photo 6)
STEP 11. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters or a knife. Place treats on prepared baking sheet – they can be close together as they won’t spread. (Photos 7 & 8)
STEP 12. Re-roll any leftover dough to cut more treats.
STEP 13. Bake for 28-35 minutes until firm. If edges begin to brown, turn off the oven. (Photo 9)
STEP 14. For crunchier treats, turn off the oven and leave treats inside to dry out and cool completely (up to several hours).
STEP 15. Once cooled, store in an airtight container.
Recipe Tips
- For smaller dogs, make mini treats similar to mini cannoli for easier chewing.
- Roll the dough to ¼ inch thickness for crispier treats, or closer to ½ inch for chewier treats.
- Use bone-shaped cookie cutters for classic dog treats, or get creative with different shapes!
- If your dough seems too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more yogurt.
- Consider using a silicone baking mat instead of parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Storing Tips
- Storage: Store completely dry treats in an airtight container similar to how you’d store homemade cookie recipes.
- Room Temperature: Thoroughly dried, crunchy treats can be stored at room temperature for 3-5 days.
- Refrigerator: For extended freshness, store treats in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks in an airtight container.
- Freezing: Place treats in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Freshness Test: If treats begin to smell off or show any signs of mold, discard immediately.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, these treats are made with dog-safe ingredients. However, if your dog has specific allergies or health conditions, consult with your veterinarian before introducing new treats.
While these treats contain natural breath-freshening ingredients like mint and parsley, they work best as part of a complete dental care routine. For severe bad breath, consult your veterinarian as it might indicate dental disease or other health issues.
Yes, but stick to dog-safe herbs. Parsley and mint are ideal for breath freshening, but you could also add small amounts of dog-safe herbs like basil or dill.
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. For most dogs, 1-2 treats per day is appropriate, depending on their size.
The crunchy texture can help reduce some plaque through mechanical action while chewing, but these treats are not a replacement for regular brushing or professional cleanings.
Need More Basic Recipes? Try These:
Healthy Fresh Breath Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 3 cups of Brown Rice Flour
- ½ cup tightly packed parsley or .3 oz of Fresh Parsley Leaves
- ½ cup tightly packed mint or .3 oz of Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1 Gala Apple peeled & cored
- 2 Tbsp of Unrefined Coconut Oil Melted
- 2 Large Eggs
- ½ cup of plain full fat yogurt
- 2 Tbsp of Brewer Yeast
- ½ tsp Activated Charcoal food grade for human or animal consumption
- 1 Tbsp of Spirulina Powder
Instructions
- Peel and core the apple, then rough chop it for the food processor.1 Gala Apple
- Place mint and parsley leaves in the food processor first, with apple pieces on top (this prevents the leaves from moving up). Pour melted coconut oil over everything and pulse several times.½ cup tightly packed parsley,½ cup tightly packed mint,2 Tbsp of Unrefined Coconut Oil
- Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides until most leaf and apple pieces are uniformly chopped.
- Add yogurt and pulse once before adding eggs and blending everything together.½ cup of plain full fat yogurt,2 Large Eggs
- Once wet ingredients are well-combined, add the Brewer’s Yeast, Activated Charcoal, and Spirulina Powder for one more quick blend.2 Tbsp of Brewer Yeast,½ tsp Activated Charcoal,1 Tbsp of Spirulina Powder
- In a large bowl, pour the wet ingredient mixture, then gradually add the rice flour while stirring. The mixture will initially seem dry but will become stickier as you mix. Use your hands to fold the dough over itself until all flour is incorporated.3 cups of Brown Rice Flour
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from the refrigerator and divide in half if desired for easier handling.
- On a lightly floured surface or between two sheets of parchment paper, roll the dough to ¼-½ inch thickness.
- Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters or a knife. Place treats on prepared baking sheet – they can be close together as they won’t spread.
- Re-roll any leftover dough to cut more treats.
- Bake for 28-35 minutes until firm. If edges begin to brown, turn off the oven.
- For crunchier treats, turn off the oven and leave treats inside to dry out and cool completely (up to several hours).
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container.
Notes
- For smaller dogs, make mini treats similar to mini cannoli for easier chewing.
- Roll the dough to ¼ inch thickness for crispier treats, or closer to ½ inch for chewier treats.
- Use bone-shaped cookie cutters for classic dog treats, or get creative with different shapes!
- If your dough seems too sticky, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more yogurt.
- Consider using a silicone baking mat instead of parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Nutrition Information
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