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My dog’s mouth smells like the inside of a trash can.
I mean, not all the time. Not even most of the time, actually. Most of the time, Kol’s breath is just fine, but every so often, he breaths on me and his hot, wet breath makes me gag. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN EATING, KOL? Is there a family of skunks living in your jowls?
The first thing I did was check out Kol’s chompers to make sure there wasn’t a problem. Dental disease is a huge problem amongst pets and I’m careful to make sure I pay as close attention to the health of my dog’s mouths as I do the health of their bodies. A mouth full of bacteria can lead to much more serious issues like heart, liver and kidney problems, besides, no one likes having a gross, painful mouth.
Koly and Fe get their teeth brushed daily with an organic, natural toothpaste. They also regularly get a dental spray designed to fight common bacteria and raw, meaty bones, which can also help keep teeth clean.
Still, sometimes, my dog’s breath accurately reflects the amount of time he spends grooming his nether regions.
When that happens, I just like to give him a quick freshen up. Our homemade Minty Chicken dog treats are just the thing to freshen his breath and make him think he’s getting a treat at the same time, plus gelatin is legit good for your pooch.
How to Make Minty Chicken Dog Treats to Freshen Your Dog's Breath
Materials
- 1 c. low sodium, onion free chicken stock
- 3 packets Knox Unflavoured Gelatin
- 1 tbsp. freeze dried chicken treats, finely crushed.
- 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 pinch fresh mint, finely chopped (you want just enough to make a difference, but not enough to be overpowering)
Instructions
Bring chicken stock to a boil.
Mix a small amount of water into the crushed chicken treats, forming a paste. Stir the chicken paste into the boiling water. Sprinkle the gelatin over the boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. (Sprinkle the gelatin, don't just toss it all in, like I did, or it will clump.) Add the chopped parsley and mint.
Allow the mix to cool for a few minutes, then pour into silicone moulds. Pop them in the fridge for a few hours, until quite firm.
Store in a sealed container in the fridge for several weeks.
Cassandra
Friday 31st of August 2018
I love this recipe! I was wondering can these be stored in the freezer to increase shelf time as well as keep your dog chewing a minute longer?
Felix
Saturday 1st of September 2018
Unfortunately, freezing gelatin rarely goes well. It doesn't freeze solid like a pure water would and because freezing will damage the colloids and polymers that bind the gelatin together, and the Jello will separate when it thaws creating a bit of a gross mess.
instagram online
Friday 14th of April 2017
I agree about the "trash can" smell :D "Pls don't kiss me now". Thank you very much for the tutorial! My dog will love this treats.
v
Thursday 21st of July 2016
Any idea of a long lasting softish dental chew that is grain free? I have been searching for ages and cannot seem to find one that is not made or sourced in China. Most companies seem to have been bought by the big guys who have trouble with recalls. I would also make them but dont really know how to make one that last a little longer than 5 minutes of chomping! Dental health is so important!
Felix
Sunday 24th of July 2016
Unfortunately, I've never had much luck with this. My dogs get raw meaty bones (they are raw fed), as well as bully sticks, but I don't rely on these for dental care. For dental care we use the bluestem liquid, frequent brushing and the occasional teeth cleaning.
Barbara Rivers
Tuesday 19th of May 2015
What a cool idea! I love that you see the parsley flakes inside the dental treats!
MyDogLikes
Tuesday 19th of May 2015
Those look really cool - we have never tried any gelatin type treats before! Our boys breath is usually not too bad but there are definitely instances where these would be a lifesaver!