These homemade dog breath freshener treats are a great way to get rid of your dog’s bad breath naturally! This recipe has all healthy ingredients targeted towards having better breath for your dog.
Of course, we as dog owners want the best for our pets. That includes things like clean teeth, good oral hygiene, and none of that stinky dog breath so many of used to smelling. These homemade dog breath treats are going to help out your pet (and you) for the better so you can enjoy more cuddles and dog kisses together!
Natural Ingredients
Plain Yogurt is an excellent treat for your furry friend since it contains probiotics which helps to get rid of bad bacteria. If you want some additional protein, choose a plain greek yogurt for this recipe. Just make sure to grab a container without any added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Applesauce is a great option since it’s low in calories and contains vitamins A and C. Applesauce is also easier to digest than apples and is gentle on a dog’s stomach. It’s best to buy the unsweetened applesauce to avoid added sugar.
Cucumber is a natural breath freshener and one of the key ingredients in this recipe since they combat bacteria in a dog’s mouth. They contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties plus are low in calories making them perfect for an anytime treat for your dog.
Apple Cider Vinegar contains vitamins and minerals that support your dog’s teeth and gums. It also has acids that can kill bacteria that cause bad dog breath. It packs a punch so we don’t need to use a lot in the dog treats.
Coconut Oil is a good fat source for this recipe. It also is great in small amounts for digestion, brain and mental function, healthy skin and coat, as well as helping with oral health. Yes, that means it can help improve stinky breath!
Fresh Mint (Optional) is great for freshening your dog’s breath. It’s gentle on their stomachs and may help with digestion as well. If you don’t have this one on hand or can’t find it at your local grocery store, then it’s perfectly fine to leave this one out. You can also substitute fresh parsley if you have that instead (which is what I ended up using for this version of the recipe).
While we’re not using apple, carrot, or celery in this recipe, all can be given to your dog in addition to cucumber as crunchy treats to help take care of the pet’s teeth naturally. They are great at helping to reduce tarter buildup, flossing the teeth, and overall keeping the teeth clean. If feeding apple slices to your pet, make sure to avoid giving them any seeds.
Homemade Fresh Breath Dog Treats
It’s a good idea to review the ingredient list and get out all the specific ingredients and supplies first. Then the recipe will go smoothly and your furry best friend can enjoy these homemade bad breath treats! You can double or triple this easy recipe depending on how many dogs you have and how many treats you want to make.
My dog tends to walk into the kitchen anytime I am cooking, and lay on the rug by the sink. I am not she how she does it, but she seems to know exactly when I am making a delicious treat for her. And these fresh breath treats are no exception!
- 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup of cucumber
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint
- blender or food processor
- spoons
- silicone mold or ice cube tray
Step one: Start by chopping up the cucumber into circles. This makes it easier to measure out and for the blender to puree everything quickly.
Step two: Next add the 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (unsweetened), 1/2 cup of cucumbers, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 1/4 cup of fresh mint (optional) to the blender or food processor. There is no need to chop up the mint leaves before but remove the stems before tossing them into the blender.
Step three: Blend the mixture for 30 seconds or until you get the right consistency, smooth, pourable, and no visible pieces of cucumber or mint. If needed, you can additional greek yogurt if the mixture is too thin or add additional applesauce if it’s too thick.
Step four: Pour the mixture into a silicone mold or regular ice cube tray. Then place it into your freezer for 2-4 hours or until the mixture is frozen solid.
Step five: Pop out the frozen dog homemade treats. Depending on the mold you are using, you should be able to pop them out by pressing on the back of the mold with your thumbs. If that doesn’t work, you may need to run warm-to-hot water over the back to loosen the treats.
Step six: Give one (or two) to your pet dog to try out and enjoy!
This recipe made 14 heart-shaped dog treats using my small ice cube tray that is roughly 1.5”x1.5” in size. Plus I also ended up having some leftovers to fill up our licking mats too!
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Storing Homemade Dog Treats
These dog breath freshener treats should be stored in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be easily pulled out one (or three) at a time when needed as they are meant to be enjoyed while frozen. When stored in the freezer, they should last 2-3 months if they even last that long!
Depending on the size of your dog and the homemade dog breath freshener treats, you could easily give them 1-3 treats a day. I would recommend starting with 1 treat for small dogs and 2 treats for large dogs. If my dog’s taste buds indicate how good they taste, then I am sure these tasty treats will go quickly in your home too!
DIY Recipes – Healthy Dog Treats
Hi, I’m Kristin.
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