Stress Busting Herbal Treats

Most people know that stress and anxiety are no fun to deal with. What many people don’t know is that your dog can also suffer from these debilitating conditions.

Separation anxiety, stress from meeting new people, loud noises from a thunderstorm, or just getting worked up are all things that can overload a dog.

These stress-relieving treats are a great natural way to help tone down your pet’s stress levels, and probably yours as well!

They have chamomile, which has stress relieving properties. While this herb is safe and effective for treating anxiety, be sure to check in with your vet and make sure your dog won’t have any negative reactions, especially if he is on any medications.

I like to steep tea for its convenience and use 2 full bags, about 2 tbsp. of chamomile. If you have a large breed you may want to consider upping the amount of chamomile you use, but always check with your vet first.

If you are looking for a more potent mixture of stress relieving herbs, I love the Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time tea. This tea has chamomile and valerian, another powerful and dog-friendly herb, which is great for calming your pup.

I use two teabags per half cup of water, just as I do a plain chamomile tea. If you opt for just chamomile I like this Traditional Medicinalstea. 

Ingredients:

• 2 Teabags of chamomile tea
• 1/2 C. Boiling water
• 1 C All-purpose or whole wheat flour
• 1 C.  Oat flour
• ½ tsp. Baking powder
• ¼ C.  Unsweetened applesauce
• 1  Egg

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Combine teabags and boiling water. Allow teabags to steep until cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
3. Combine oat flour, all-purpose flour, and baking powder in a bowl. Whisk until combined.
4. Add egg, unsweetened applesauce, and cooled tea to dry mixture and stir until a ball forms. If the dough is too sticky you can add more all-purpose flour in 1 tbsp. increments. The dough should be smooth but not dry.
5. Roll the dough into a log about an inch in diameter.
6. Cut the log lengthwise and then cut approximately 1 cm strips across each log half. This should produce about 62 treats.
7. Transfer to baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. The outside should be firm and dry and the treat should have some resistance when you try to squish it. 
8. Allow the treats to cool completely and store at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for two months.

WARNING: Side effects may include peaceful afternoon slumbers and cuddles!