Antioxidant Dog Treat Recipe

Looking for a healthy antioxidant dog treat recipe that is suitable for golden oldies? Look no more, this is it!

This recipe is very easy-to-make, and the treat is perfect for older dogs as it is rather soft (gentle on the old gums), and more, it is loaded with antioxidants.

This antioxidant dog treat recipe is meat-based (ground turkey). Turkey is lean and a high-quality animal protein source.

Some people mistakenly think that older dogs don’t need too much protein.

That’s far from the truth.

In fact, older dogs need as much (if not more) high-quality animal protein as younger adult dogs. Older dogs require lots of high quality protein not only to keep their organ and immune systems in tip-top condition, but also to maintain healthy muscle mass as they go through life and the aging process.

Note that if your dog has food allergy, make sure that turkey is something that the dog can tolerate. If your dog is unfortunately allergic to turkey, switch to another meat that your dog can eat (e.g. ground venison, ground duck meat, etc.)

Antioxidant Dog Treat Recipe Ingredients

If you wonder why I keep saying this treat is “healthy”, take a look at the antioxidant properties of the ingredients:

Turmeric

Turmeric has powerful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and should be in your pantry for your senior dog, especially if she has an inflammatory issue (e.g. chronic skin problems, arthritis, joint pain, etc.).

Turmeric’s antioxidant properties also help prevent cognitive dysfunction (doggie Alzheimer’s) and canine cancer. If your dog is unfortunately already suffering from cancer, you should definitely add turmeric to his meals to help him fight the disease.

Blueberries

We all know that blueberries are one of the “superfoods” out there, and they are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

What makes blueberries stand out as an amazing antioxidant fruit is that, the antioxidants in blueberries can give systemic (whole body) support, including the nervous system, the heart, the digestive system, as well as the skeletal muscular system.

So, for example, if your dog has an inflamed joint due to arthritis, blueberries’ antioxidant properties can help.

Or, if you give blueberries to your older dog regularly, it can help prevent neurodegenerative disease such as doggie Alzheimer’s. If your dog suffers from chronic diarrhea due to inflammatory bowel, blueberries can also help!

Coconut Flour

In addition, coconut flour is rich in medium-chain fatty acid (MCFAs). MCFAs have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, and can destroy harmful bacteria that can cause health issues such as stomach ulcers, urinary tract infections, and so on.

Moreover, a study has found that coconut flour’s high phenolic and flavonoid content has potential anti-oxidative and cytotoxic properties on colon cancer cells.

Using coconut flour to bake treats such as this antioxidant dog treat is one way to help your dog reap the benefits of this food item!

Culinary Herbs

Culinary herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley are all powerful antioxidants. These herbs contain an array of water soluble flavonoids that provide protection at the cellular level – helping prevent oxidation of the cells from free radicals.

Holistic vets often recommend sprinkling culinary herbs on our dog’s food to take advantage of their antioxidant properties – and they add flavor to the foods as well!

Healthy Antioxidant Dog Treat Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ground turkey (or another meat that your dog can tolerate)
• 1 1/2 tablespoon coconut flour
• 1/2 cup organic blueberries, chopped
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 tablespoons of any or all of these dried culinary herbs: basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, rosemary.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together.
3. Roll mixed ingredients into small round balls (about 1″ – depending on your dog’s size).
4. Place them on baking sheet and flatten with the bottom of a spoon.
5. Bake for about 25-30 minutes.
6. Store in an airtight container.

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