As anyone who has ever had a dog lick their face can attest, sometimes dogs can have unfortunate breath. While in some cases bad breath could be the sign of an infection, often bad breath is just the product of a particularly pungent diet. To combat bad breath, you could try making inexpensive dog treats to reward your dog while helping mask foul odors. If the bad breath persists, it might be wise to take your four-legged friend to a veterinarian for a dental checkup.
Things You'll Need
- 2 cups brown rice flour
- 1 Tbsp. activated charcoal
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh mint or mint extract
- 1 1/2 tsp. corn starch
- 2 Tbsp. cold water
- 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup nondairy milk
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooking spray
- Airtight container
Instructions
Combine two cups of brown rice flour with one tablespoon of powdered activated charcoal in a large bowl. Activated charcoal is available at many drugstores, often in powdered or tablet form. If you are using tablets, you will need to crush enough of them to equal one tablespoon.
Chop fresh parsley and mint. Parsley is used for taste, and the mint is primarily used to mask foul smells. Before chopping, rinse herbs thoroughly to wash off any dirt, pests or pesticides that might remain on the plant. These are harmful for your dog to ingest.
Mix 1 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water. Beat well until it has formed a frothy consistency. Add to your flour mixture. Also add three tablespoons of vegetable oil, ½ cup nondairy milk, and ½ cup chopped parsley. Add ½ cup of freshly chopped mint or one tablespoon of mint extract.
Beat well to form a dough. Use a teaspoon to drop spoonfuls of your dough onto a lightly greased baking sheet or a piece of parchment paper. Spread your treats approximately one inch apart and bake for 20 minutes in a 400-degree oven.
Store your dog treats for up to six weeks in an airtight container or plastic bag. For maximum freshness, store these treats in the refrigerator.