I love making homemade dog treats for my pups. I save so much money, I know what is in the treat and it is so much healthier for them. These sweet potato ginger dog treats have healthy ingredients and don't take that long to make. Of course Maya and Macey love them!
There are so many sweet potato products on the market for dogs, for good reason. According to Pet MD, 'they provide lots of nutritional benefits. They are rich in beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant. Sweet potatoes also contain lots of fiber which helps keep your dog regular, vitamins C and B6, potassium, calcium and iron.'
However, while they are healthy, they are still a carbohydrate so should be given to your dogs in moderation. If it is a new food added to their diet, always start slowly and introduce small amounts at a time.
The ginger is a new spice I'm trying for my dogs. It too is very healthy and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Ginger can also soothe their digestive system. I think fresh ginger can be a little strong so I only use a small amount of ground ginger.
This is how I make the sweet potato ginger dog treats:
I use my mandolin to slice the sweet potatoes for baking. You can easily cut them with a knife. I just like using it because the mandolin helps me make them in similar thickness. This will allow the sweet potatoes to dry about the same time.
The sweet potatoes are placed on a cookie sheet and lightly sprayed with coconut oil. I very lightly sprinkle ground ginger over the potatoes. They are baked in a slow 250°F oven for approximately 3-4 hours. Halfway through baking, I turn them to help crisp the sweet potatoes.
I like the sweet potatoes to be completely cooked almost dehydrated, and my dogs love the crunch. I store mine at room temperature in a jar. If you don't want to bake them to this doneness, I would suggest keeping in the refrigerator. They do shrink so you won't have as large of volume as precooked, but they are still cheaper than most treats on the market and your dogs will love them!
Sweet Potato and Ginger Dog Treats
- Category: Dog Treats
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
These sweet potato and ginger treats are crunchy and full of nutrients that your dogs will love!
Ingredients
3 - 4 sweet potatoes, scrubbed
Coconut baking spray
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
Cut sweet potatoes in even thickness
Place on baking sheet and lightly spray with coconut oil
Sprinkle ground ginger on one side of sweet potato
Bake in 250°F oven for 3-4 hours , turning halfway through. Bake until sweet potatoes are completely dry.
Notes
I don't peel my sweet potatoes. I just scrub them very well, cutting out any dark spots.
I store the sweet potato ginger dog treats in a glass jar at room temperature and they last over a week. If yours are not as dry, or you want them to last longer, store in refrigerator. Your dogs will love them just as much.
Keywords: Sweet potato ginger dog treats
Marti says
Hi there Deb. I just came across your sweet pat recipe which im doing today. I actually decided to start making homemade treats like now because i have 7 rescues and love spoiling them with treats, but can't afford to buy anymore but want to keep spoiling them because they deserve it and the look of disappointment when i dont have treats really buggs me😅😅 I do need advice though pls. What can i add to the treats to calm them as they're hyped and aggressive at times. I've already had a few fights of which the last one was so bad that i had to split my old man from the pack which breaks my heart. Then what can i add for early onset of arthritis and joint problems for my old man and 1 year and 4 month old boy? And my little Spirit who was the runt of the litter was born with water on the brain which caused a split skull, so her brain did not develop fully so she acts a tad different than the others and is quite hyped most of the time. She also has a leaking valve in her heart. There's absolutely no pain, she is very busy, very cheecky and very happy.. my Buddy with arthritis and my old boy Goofy has the joint pains. So i need to know what i can add to affectly calm the aggression, what would be brain food for Spirit's underdeveloped brain and good for her heart, and the arthritis and joint problems. Sorry it's long but my furries are complicated and hard work....😅😅😅😅😅😅
Regards Marti
Deb Belsha says
Hi Marti,
I appreciate your concern for your pups. I have 2 so I imagine 7 is a handful. There are so many recipes for homemade treats, just check on facebook and Google. You should find plenty.
I have no vet training so my advice is purely from my own experience. I do trust my vet and also check with him regarding any health issues first.
Neither I nor my vet is aware of any natural supplement that works to calm dogs. There are a lot on the market and I've asked him about them because one of my dogs is petrified of fireworks so I can't help you there. Perhaps your vet knows of something instead.
I have been giving them a hip and joint dog supplement chew that has glucosamine, chondroitin, boswellia and tumeric in it. It's not a quick fix but is supposed to help their joints. I know vets can prescribe medication that helps arthritis.
As far as aggression and calming, since I am not a trainer, I'll just speak as a dog owner. These are the things that work for us:
Discipline-the basics= sit, stay, lay down, leave it, out. We still practice every day.
Exercise, walks, throwing a ball, whatever you can manage.
Separate spaces for them to eat. And to sleep if they prefer to sleep alone.
All the best,
Deb