Are you caring for a senior dog with dental issues? If so, finding suitable treats can seem like a daunting task. To help lengthen their shelf-life, many store-bought treats are dried to a crisp. Sure, that crunchy texture may be appealing to many dogs. But, they’re not ideal for dogs with loose teeth, missing teeth, or no teeth at all. In this article, I share 10 recipes perfect for senior dogs with dental issues – they’re all soft and easy to chew!
1. Gelatin Treats
They’re wiggly, jiggly, and super easy for our pups to chew. As you can probably imagine, gelatin-based dog treats offer up a Jello-like texture. So, they’re a perfect bite for dogs with a few missing teeth (or even for pups who don’t have any teeth at all!).
Plain, unflavored gelatin is also a healthy ingredient that offers many benefits. It’s great for joints, the gut, digestion, hair, skin, and nails. It’s important to note, not all gelatin powder is created equal. If you’re looking for convenience, Knox is a popular brand that you can probably find at your local grocery store. But, if you’re looking to reap the biggest health reward, then look into brands like Great Lakes.
I’ve shared a variety of gelatin dog treats here on my blog. The list includes:
- Chicken and Carrot Gelatin Treats
- Turkey and Pumpkin Gelatin Treats
- Beef and Broccoli Gelatin Treats
- Salmon and Blueberry Gelatin Treats
- Bone Broth Gelatin Treats
The first time you make gelatin treats for your dogs, they may be confused by the texture. Just break them apart and let your pup explore. I haven’t met a canine who doesn’t love them!
2. Pumpkin Sweet Potato Fork Cookies
This tail-wagging good treat is made with pure pumpkin puree, cooked and mashed sweet potato, a tiny sprinkling of cinnamon, and a few other basic baking ingredients. I must admit: Whenever I make these, I steal a few for myself. They’re that yummy!
These fork cookie dog treats are making an appearance on this list because of their texture. The exterior may firm up a bit, allowing the treats to keep their shape, but the interior remains super soft. (Just think of a cookie.) While I create bite-size treats, I still like to break these into smaller pieces for my Chihuahua, Diego, because it’s easier for him to eat.
Watch the recipe in action below – and then get the written recipe HERE.
3. Sweet Potato Cookies
Here’s another dog cookie! But, this time, you won’t need any flour. In this super simple, flourless recipe, you’ll marry cooked and mashed sweet potato with finely chopped apple and carrot. Stir in an egg to help form your treats, spoon them onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and then bake them into cookies! They remain soft inside, making them perfect for dogs with any dental issues.
4. Bone Broth Muffins
When it comes to homemade dog treats, it doesn’t get much easier than this. They’re made with three simple ingredients and require less than 10 minutes of prep time. Plus, they’re nutrient-rich. Protein, along with a variety of key vitamins and minerals, are packed inside these treats. Sure, they’re only treats … and treats should never replace meals. But, when it comes to reward-worthy moments, why not make them nutritious?!
5. Banana Puppy Pancakes
You’ve probably seen this recipe idea before, in search of healthy breakfast options for yourself. They’re little silver dollar pancakes made with one mashed banana, one egg, and a little flour (I use almond flour). Along with being a healthier option for people, they also make great dog treats. Plus, since they’re soft and easy to chew, they’re ideal for our senior canines. Try them!
6. Veggie Frittatas for Dogs
Here’s another dog treat inspired by a breakfast favorite: Veggie Frittatas! The first time I made these, I mixed eggs with finely chopped spinach because that’s what I had in my fridge. But why stop with just spinach? Some other nutritious veggies that are great for dogs, and work well in these frittatas, include:
- Finely chopped kale
- Shredded zucchini
- Shredded carrots
- Finely chopped broccoli (pulsed in a food processor to create a rice-like texture)
- Finely chopped red bell pepper
Play around with your pup’s favorite ingredients. Get the written recipe HERE.
7. Baked Beef Liver Squares
Organ meats, like liver, are extremely rich in key nutrients. Liver is high in protein, copper, iron, and zinc. It’s also a good source of vitamin A and various B vitamins. Oh yeah, and dogs go NUTS for this stuff. These baked beef liver squares call for a few wholesome ingredients (beef liver, an egg, brown rice flour, and water) and less than 10 minutes of prep time. Just blend it all up, spread the batter onto a baking sheet, and bake!
8. Fish Paws: Sardine Muffins
The main ingredient in these easy-to-chew dog treats is a can of sardines (skinless, boneless, and in water)! The tiny fish sure do pack a big flavor kick that most dogs seem to love. Plus, sardines are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, making them beneficial to your pup’s health. I always know a recipe loaded with good-for-your-dog ingredients is a winner when I pull a tray out of the oven and my dogs immediately start sitting, wagging their paws toward me, spinning around in circles, and pulling out all of their other cute tricks. They will do just about anything to get a nibble!
9. Banana Bread Soft Chews
Mashed banana and pure pumpkin puree are mixed together with a few other wholesome ingredients, spread onto a baking sheet, and then baked into a delicious dog treat. And, I think the name says it all: These treats are soft!
10. Pumpkin Latte
Who says dog treats have to be solid?! This delicious doggy drink is a spin on the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, but it’s only made with goat’s milk and 100% pure pumpkin puree. Not only is it photo-worthy, it also benefits digestion.
Goat’s milk is rich in both prebiotics and probiotics, meaning it promotes diverse and healthy gut flora (good gut health is key for overall health and wellbeing – in canines and humans)! Plus, goat’s milk is a wonderful source of digestive enzymes. I use instant goat’s milk for convenience. I LOVE The Honest Kitchen’s Instant Goat’s Milk.
Pumpkin puree is considered a superfood for our canine cuties. It’s loaded with fiber, making it great for digestion and weight management.
