Ginger is well known for its ability to soothe upset tummies, relive nausea and help with motion sickness. But did you know that ginger is also thought to be able to help arthritis and other inflammatory diseases in dogs?
Its spicy aroma and health-promoting benefits is mainly due to presence of special phytonutrients known as gingerols.
If possible, use fresh ginger root to make these dog treats. It is likely to have more active gingerols than the powdered version.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger*
- 1/8 cup honey
- ½ cup applesauce (100% natural, with no artificial sweeteners)
*To substitute dried ginger for fresh, use about ¼ the amount of dried ginger as you would fresh.
Directions
Set the temperature of your oven to 350°F and let it heat.
Place the egg, honey, applesauce and grated ginger in a bowl and whisk together.
Add whole wheat flour and knead to form a dough. If the dough is too dry, add additional applesauce one tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too wet, add additional flour one tablespoon at a time.
On a lightly-floured table or chopping board, roll the dough to 3 – 5mm thick. Use your favorite cookie cutter to create treats and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake until the surface of the treats are golden brown, around 25 minutes.
Turn the oven off and allow the treats to cool inside the oven completely before removing the cooling rack.
Store them in an airtight container.
Caution: Ginger can act as a mild blood thinner, so avoid giving your dog any one week before any surgery. If your dog has any medical condition, it is best to consult with your vet before giving your dog ginger.
Nutritional Facts:1064 Calories, 9.6 grams of fat, 40 grams of protein, 223 grams of carbohydrates.
Kristina Johansen is a certified canine nutritionist who runs Elmo’s Kitchen and provides guidance on general nutrition and home-prepared diets for dogs.
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