Banana Dog Treats

While we were doing a round of training with Penny, I realized her treat stash was getting low. I had a banana sitting around, and figured I would make her some new treats with it. I had to do a little research just to make sure I wasn’t going to be giving her anything bad, and discovered that coconut oil seemed to be a good option to help the dough stick together. I was going to use applesauce, but it might have been a little too… mushy.

This is the face she gives me when she knows I’m about to work in the kitchen. It’s a mix of, “You really think you’re leaving this room?” and “I’m suspicious of what you’re about to do. But no matter what, I will dart after you at full speed like I’m being chased by Satan.” Thankfully, she benefited from allowing me a snuggle-reprieve.

1 banana, mashed

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1) In a medium bowl, blend all ingredients together with electric mixer until a dough is formed.

2) Roll out dough and cut with cookie cutters into desired sizes.

Or, for bite-sized treats, roll small amounts of dough into balls and then flatten with the palm of your hand. Use your forefinger to press a circular indentation into the bottom half, and then cut a toothpick so that you have a flat end (or use the flat end of a skewer) and press four dots into the top – it will look like a paw print!

Just keep in mind that while these treats won’t spread when they bake, any imprints on the treats will lose their shape a little bit. So a good rule of thumb is to exaggerate your decorations a little bit knowing they’ll “melt” a little.