Four simple ingredients can help your dog get to sleep faster and have a better night’s rest.
Dogs get worked up and overly excited just like we do! Play dates, grandma coming to visit (who provides extra spoiling), or a vigorous encounter with a taunting squirrel in the backyard can get them all riled up right before bedtime. That’s when they’ll need a little help relaxing so they can drift off to a peaceful sleep. When burning off their excess energy doesn’t do the trick, give our bedtime biscuits a try.
Natural Ingredients To Help Dogs Relax
The ingredients for our bedtime dog treats aren’t exotic, and you might already have them in your pantry.
- Chamomile is an herb with little white, daisy-like flowers and a yellow center. Humans have used chamomile for its anti-anxiety effects, mild sedative properties, and as a digestive aid for thousands of years, going back to ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt. The herb has the same comforting effects on dogs.
- Pumpkin seeds are, you guessed it, seeds from the pumpkin. Also known as pepitas, they contain L-tryptophan and glutamate, which are used by the body to make serotonin and melatonin. Those are two key components the body uses to promote calmness and help induce sleep.
- Oats have a calming effect on the nervous system, as well as anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. (TIP: Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they’re often processed in the same plant and in the same machinery as gluten grains, so if you must have the GF variety, look for that indicator on the package.)
Combining these three ingredients with some delicious applesauce or a freshly pureed apple will give you tasty little bedtime dog treats that can be baked crunchy or soft.
Bedtime Biscuits
Four simple ingredients can help your furbaby get to sleep faster and have a better night’s rest. Bake these nuggets to be crunchy or soft.
Equipment/Supplies
- Mini-chopper
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup applesauce unsweetened
- 4 tbsp pumpkin seeds raw and unsalted
- 2 each chamomile tea bags
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or non-stick baking mat.
- Pulse pumpkin seeds in mini-chopper until finely ground.
- In a medium bowl, add ground seeds and remaining ingredients. Mix well.
- Roll into balls. The dough may be a little sticky at first, but as you work, it will stiffen. Oat flour soaks up liquid like a sponge.
- Flatten balls using your palm and place on lined cookie sheet. Press with fork to further flatten.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until firm to touch, and bottoms are browned. For softer treats, bake for less time.
- Transfer onto a wire rack and let cool completely.
Notes
Feeding Instructions
Depending on your dog’s weight and activity level, give 1-4 treats 30 minutes before bedtime. Begin with a smaller serving to gauge your dog’s sensitivity to the ingredients, then gradually increase to the suggested daily amount if needed.Shelf-life & Storage
Crunchy – Keep stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. These treats will last 4-6 weeks. Refrigerate for longer shelf-life. Soft – Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These can also be frozen for up to 3 months. If your pooch doesn’t have teeth issues, there’s no reason you can’t give her a frozen biscuit. Tried this recipe?Please leave us a comment! Or share a photo on Instagram with hashtags #woofpurr #woofpurrpettreatrecipebook Thank you!
Also published on Vitacost’s blog. Check it out!