Staying Healthy: Top 5 Dog Snacks for Hip & Joint Health

Joints and hips are a big part of a dog’s ability to move about freely and enjoy their daily walks. However, joint pain, arthritis, and bone degradation are all too common in dogs, especially as they age. Once damage to the joints has occurred, it’s hard to repair, so maintaining your dog’s hip and joint health is important. 

One way to help address this issue is by making sure your dogs key joints and ligaments are supported physically. Our Buddy Bed does just that by providing support from our cooling memory foam mattress to help reduce stress and strain. There are also many supplements and foods you can give your dog to ensure your dog stays strong and healthy as long as possible. There are many recipes out there that involve foods that are important for your dog’s hip and joint health, and we’re here to share a few of them with you.

Below are our five favorite recipes that will make your furry friend happy, and keep their bones healthy. To top it off, they’re super fun to make! As always, make sure to check with your vet to make sure these foods are safe for your pup to eat. You should always be aware of possible allergies, and to find out more information about allergies check out our latest blog post!

Anti-Inflammatory Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 3 cups instant oats
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseeds
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• Pinch of black pepper
• ¾ cup water
• 1 large egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. and prepare a baking tray with parchment paper. 
2. Grab a large bowl and mix all your dry ingredients together. 
3. Add the water and egg to your dry ingredients and mix together thoroughly until combined.
4. Using your hands, knead the dough on a floured surface and then allow it to sit on the counter for 15 minutes.
5. Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll over it with a rolling pin or rounded object.
6. Use a cookie cutter or cut by hand to your desired shape.
7. Place cookies on the prepared baking tray and place them in the oven for 30 minutes.
8. Once cooked, transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Homemade Dog Food for Joint Pain

Ingredients: 

• 2 chopped zucchinis
• 2 cups kale
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 2 chopped sweet potatoes
• 1 cup chopped celery
• ½ cup lentils
• 1 ½ cups quinoa
• ½ cup chopped parsley
• 3 garlic cloves
• ½ cup unsweetened cranberries
• 1 cup nettles

Instructions:

1. Gather a large soup pot and add 8 cups of water. 
2. Add the sweet potatoes and carrots, and bring the pot to boil. 
3. Allow the ingredients to simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and turn off the heat.
5. Place a cover over the pot and allow ingredients to sit until they have cooled to room temperature. 
6. Once the vegetables are softened, and the quinoa is cooked, your dog food is ready to serve. 

 

Turkey Blueberry Kale Medley

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs lean ground turkey
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 3 cups chopped kale
• 1 cup chopped parsley
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and cubed
• 5 eggs

Instructions:

1. Place a large pot over medium heat and saute the coconut oil and ground turkey until meat is browned.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except the eggs and add water just to cover.
3. Bring the pot to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. Remove from the heat and add the eggs until thoroughly mixed. 
5. Let the mixture cool, and then drain off any excess liquid.
6. Place daily servings into Ziploc bags and freeze. Before serving, remove the bag from the freezer and place it in the fridge to defrost overnight. 

Sweet Potato Chews

Ingredients:

• 3 large sweet potatoes

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to the lowest possible temperature.
2. Slice one top off the sweet potatoes, so there is better balance when slicing. 
3. Use a sharp knife to cut ⅓ - ½ inch lengthwise slices of the sweet potatoes.
4. Grease two baking trays using coconut or olive oil and then arrange the sweet potato slices on the trays. 
5. Place both trays on the top racks of the oven and leave to dehydrate for 8 hours or until the sweet potatoes are dried and shrunken but still slightly moist and pliable. 
6. If you want softer, chewier treats, you can cook for less time or more time for drier, tougher treats.
7. Store in Ziploc bags, full and airtight, for up to 6 months. 

Applesauce and Oatmeal Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 2 4-ounce jars of applesauce baby food
• 1 ½ cups oats
• Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Spray a baking tray with the cooking spray. 
3. Use a food processor to grind the oats until they are powdery and resemble flour. 
4. Pour the baby food into the processor and with the oats and use a pulse setting to blend the two ingredients until a thick mixture is formed. 
5. Scoop up with mixture with a tablespoon and drop rounded mounds onto the prepared baking tray. 
6. Place the baking tray into the oven for 20-22 minutes.
7. Remove the tray from the oven and allow the treats to cool before serving. 

You now have 5 fantastic recipes that should promote better hip and joint health in your best friend. Not only are they good for your dog, but they’re extremely tasty too. Each recipe can be made with ease and can even be a fun experience for you and your pup!

If you’re still worried about your dog’s hip and joint health, you can always consider the Toby & Ace Buddy Bed. The orthopedic bed is specially designed for promoting better health for your dog’s hips and joints. They’ll wake up feeling energized and ready for another day of playtime after a good night’s sleep on the bed. You can learn more about the benefits of the Buddy Bed here.