I developed this peanut butter flaxseed cookie dog recipe to honor the life of my picky pup, Dylan, who recently passed. For the majority of his life, my husband and I would have to disguise healthy foods and/or medicine with something delicious to get him to eat. Peanut butter was often used, and though Dylan isn’t around to test this recipe, his canine sibling is equally as stubborn and a good candidate for testing. Read on.
Because this recipe is developed in honor of my dog, I do not offer any substitution options (with the exception of a tip for oat flour).
What Makes This Cookie Dog Recipe Irresistible and Nutritious?
Peanut Butter
According to the American Kennel Club, Peanut Butter is a good source of protein, Vitamins B, E, and Niacin. It is also the perfect ingredient for masking flavors that your canine friends may not like. Opt for varieties with no added sugars, xylitol, added sweeteners, palm oil, or salt. The label should say raw or dry roasted peanuts, and that’s it.
Honey
This ingredient contains several vitamins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants. Check out this blog from the American Kennel Club for more information. This ingredient adds a touch of sweetness and flavor to the cookie dog recipe.
Banana
Bananas make the good list too! They’re full of potassium and perfect for snacking in moderation. They help to bind the ingredients together alongside flaxseeds.
Flaxseed
According to PetMD by Chewy, Flaxseeds contain tons of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids–the good kind. In this recipe, they serve as an “egg” to help bind the ingredients together and add flavor to the cookies.
Oat Flour
Oats are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and they’re easily digestible. If you don’t have oat flour on hand, pulse a cup of rolled oats in the food processor to get the same result.
Wheat
According to the American Kennel Club, wheat is a great source of protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids. It should only be avoided if your dog is allergic to grains.
My other pup is a picky eater, but these cookies pass the test. In fact, he was never really interested in what I was baking UNTIL these cookies. Now, he won’t leave me alone in the kitchen!
Eye contact with the cookie has been made.
Time to go in for the kill.
Must eat while keeping a watchful eye to protect bounty.
My Best Friend
My dog, Dylan, passed on March 19, 2023. He was a little over 16 years old and my sidekick the whole time. Below are a few images from over the years, followed by an open letter to him. Feel free to jump over or click the blue “jump to recipe” button at the top of this post to skip.
Dylan-
It is hard not to dwell on your loss. You were my best friend. What you’ve given me over 16 years is irreplaceable, and to say thank you doesn’t quite sum up how I feel.
There were times when I existed because of my responsibility to you. And my responsibility to you is something I always kept sight of, a promise I made to you when you were a puppy.
You were a constant in my life, and we shared a unique bond. I can still feel your soft fur, how you would fit into my arms when I picked you up, how your cheek felt when I’d kiss it. You comforted me in difficult times, willing to lay beside me all day and night if I needed it. The good times were brighter because of you. You had your fair share of health scares, but you were a fighter and always pulled through, even against tough odds.
A few days before you passed, I picked you up; music was playing in the background. I held you close to me with both arms while gently dancing in place. You placed your head on my chest and kept it there, and I continued dancing. I knew it was probably one of the last few good moments we’d spend together. Unfortunately, I was right, and you passed a few days later. I am so thankful for you, thankful for the remaining few weeks we were able to spend together and grateful for one of my favorite last memories of you.
I truly hope you continue on, free of pain and illness, chasing waves, enjoying donut holes, and napping in the sunshine. You were the best dog, and I will always love and miss you.
For human recipes, visit my recipes page!
Peanut Butter Flaxseed Cookies for Dogs - Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Wooden Spoon or Rubber Spatula
- Measuring Cups/Spoons
- Digital Scale optional
- 1-2" Cookie Cutter
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Flaxseed ground - 10g
- ½ Cup Natural Peanut Butter without sugar, salt, xylitol, or palm oil - 128g
- ½ Tbsp Honey 11g
- 1 Banana mashed - 100g
- 1 Cup Oat Flour 96g
- ¼ Cup Wheat Flour 30g
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F / 149°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix flaxseed and 2 Tbsp of warm water in a small bowl until combined, then set aside. This will create a flaxseed "egg".
- Add peanut butter, honey, and the mashed banana to a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add the flaxseed egg to the peanut butter mixture and stir to combine.
- Mix in the oat flour with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until mostly combined and some streaks of flour remain. Next, mix in the wheat flour until combined. You may need to knead the dough with your hands to incorporate the flour.
- Roll out the dough to 1/4" thickness on a clean surface or parchment paper. Use your cookie cutter to cut out cookie shapes, and lay them on the prepared baking sheet about 1/2" apart.
- Grab any remaining dough scraps, form them into a ball, and roll them out again. Use the cookie cutter to cut out the desired shapes. Repeat until all dough is used up. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let them cool completely before serving them to your pup.
