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5 Easy Dog Treats You Can Make at Home to Freshen Your Dog’s Breath

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A black and white dog with its tongue out, enjoying homemade dog treats.

Our dogs love to kiss us, but once they outgrow that adorable puppy-breath stage, it can become an unpleasant, smelly experience. Good dental care will keep your dog’s breath fresher, but for day-to day-freshening, a treat to keep bad breath at bay is a smell-saver.

Instead of buying breath-freshening Greenies or other treats, you can make your own versions. They are often healthier, and you know exactly what’s in them instead of wondering what “natural poultry flavor” is exactly.

Try one of these healthy, yummy homemade treats designed to freshen your dog’s breath.

Related: Stinky Dog Breath? Here Are 4 Simple Toothpastes You Can Make at Home.

1.  Homemade Greenies

These get five stars for tasting great and making your dog’s breath smell sweet. Put these ingredients into a food processor:

1 cup chickpeas, cooked
1/3 cup flour (plus more for dusting)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
1/8 cup fresh mint leaves (about 10 leaves)
1/8 cup fresh parsley
1-2 tablespoons low-sodium soup stock (or beef broth/chicken broth)

Use the pulse function to process until the chickpeas are chopped very fine and the mixture turns into dough. Flour your work surface, roll out dough with a rolling pin, cut into bone shapes with a cookie cutter.

Bake for 30 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 300° until the cookies are crisp and brown. For extra crispiness, leave in oven with door slightly open until oven cools.

2. Fresh Breath Treats

These are so yummy, you may eat them yourself. Just leave some for Fido! You’ll need:

½ cup organic coconut oil
½ cut organic parsley, chopped

You can also add: ¼ cup chopped organic mint and a dash of organic turmeric.

Either soften the coconut oil, or if you’re using a mold, melt the oil. Add the parsley and blend together. If using the mint, add it in after parsley.

If using a mold, pour the mixture in (here is a cute one); if not, roll out the soft mixture into small balls and place on parchment paper.

Sprinkle turmeric on top. Refrigerate for one hour. Give one to your dog daily, and store in refrigerator for freshness.

3. Doggie Breath Mints

Instead of pushing your dog away when he tries to kiss you because his breath smells horrible, try tossing him a few of these doggie breath mints.

This recipe calls for parsley, which is a natural antibacterial, and actual mint to make your dog’s breath sweet.

Pre-heat your oven to 325°

Gather these ingredients:

2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats,
½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
½ cup fresh mint, finely chopped
1 large egg (if your dog is allergic to chicken products, substitute with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce)
¼ cup of water, plus 1 teaspoon
3 tablespoons coconut oil (unrefined extra-virgin is best)

Put the oats in a blender or food processor and pulse until it turns into flour. In a large bowl, whisk together the parsley, mint, egg, water, and oil. Add the oat flour and stir into a dough. Knead the dough slightly, then turn out onto a floured surface.

Roll out to about a 1/8-inch thickness. With a cookie cutter, cut out around 40 breath mints. Space out on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the mints are crispy and golden in color. Allow to cool before giving your dog, and store in an airtight container.

Related: 30 Super Easy Dog Treats Recipes Using 5 Ingredients or Less

4. Peanut Butter Breath Mints

This may not appeal to Homo Sapiens, but Canis lupus familiaris (your dog) will love them. Start by pre-heating your oven to 325°. Gather these ingredients:

¾ cup reduced fat milk
2 eggs
1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of baking soda
½ – ¾ cup chopped fresh Basil
10 drops of peppermint oil (dōTERRA Peppermint Essential Oil is recommended)

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, 1 egg, and peanut butter. Add flour and baking soda, and using your hands, mix into a dough. Blend in the basil and peppermint oil.

On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch. Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter or form into mini circular breath mints. Whisk together an egg wash from a few teaspoons of water and the remaining egg. Bush on a thin coat before popping the mints into the oven.

Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes on one side, then flip them over, brush on more egg wash, and bake for another 10 minutes. Let cool before giving to your dog. Store them in an airtight container for about a week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

5. All Natural Fresh Breath Dog Cookies

This recipe is a little more complicated, but the ingredients are super healthy. Not only will your dog’s breath be freshened, but his coat with be shiny too. Best of all, he’ll love the taste.

Preheat the oven to 200°. Gather these ingredients:

2 ¾ cups rice flour
2 tablespoons rolled oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped mint
¼ cup grated carrot
¼ cup grated low-fat mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ – 1 cup water

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, and baking powder. Add the parsley, mint, carrot, cheese, and olive oil, and mix together. Gradually pour in ½ cup water, and blend together into dough. If needed, add more water; the dough should be moist rather than crumbly.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for a few minutes. Roll into a ¼ inch sheet, and cut out with cookie cutters. Bake 20-30 minutes until the cookies begin to turn brown. Cool on a cooling rack before giving to your dog, and store in an airtight container.

Then go and kiss your dog!

Related: Get Your Dog’s Mind Working With Our ‘Stinky Dog Treat’ Scavenger Hunt Game

By Jillian Blume

Jillian Blume is a New York City–based writer whose feature articles have appeared in magazines, newspapers, and websites including the New York Observer, Marie Claire, Self, City Realty, the ASPCA, Petful.com, Best Friends Animal Society, The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, The Pet Gazette, and many others.

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