Chickpea and Sardine Dog Treats (Recipe)

A while back, I jumped on Pinterest to see if I could find any out-of-the-ordinary dog treats to try out.

I was feeling adventurous — and I'd like to think Banjo was, too. We had, after all, just finished up an exciting trip canoeing on the river (Banjo’s first time).

It seemed like a weekend to try new things. So, you'd better believe I perked up when I saw a recipe that called for chickpea flour and sardines.

The ingredient list was measured out in grams, but I have a handy kitchen scale, so I took care of the conversion lickety-split.

Chickpea and Sardine Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 2⅓ cups chickpea flour
• 3 tins of sardines (3.75 ounces each) packed in water, drained
• 2 eggs

Directions

1. Heat your oven to 350 F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients.
3. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thick.
4. Cut out the biscuits and line them on a nonstick baking sheet.
5. Bake for 18–20 minutes for soft treats. Add a few minutes if you’d like them crispier.

When I’m in the kitchen making Banjo’s treats, she likes to wander in now and then to check on my progress. But when I cracked open 3 tins of sardines and began to pile the little fish in a dish, she stayed put and watched my every move.

It’s safe to say Banjo likes sardines — and she’s definitely a fan of these fishy treats.

According to Dr. Karen Becker, DVM, "Fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to your pet's well-being."

"Sardines don't live long enough to store toxins in their bodies, and they're a terrific source of omega-3s," she says.

Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, who reviewed this recipe for Petful, echoes those thoughts, saying, "I love the use of sardines and eggs in treats. The extra omega-3s provided by these 2 ingredients are beneficial for skin, joint and brain health."

I used a bone-shaped cookie cutter, but you could make these even more fun by using a fish-shaped cookie cutter.

This recipe makes about 1.5 dozen chickpea and sardine dog treats. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

Oh, and — baker beware — your kitchen may take on a temporary sardine scent while these are treats are cooking.

Adapted from: Bark Time.