ByHealthy chicken spinach dog treats can be swirly pinwheel cookies. You make a simple oat dough, spread it with a paste of plain cooked chicken and steamed spinach, roll it up, slice, and bake. They take about 35 minutes of hands-on time, plus chilling and baking. Use plain chicken with no bones or seasoning, and skip spinach treats if your dog has kidney or bladder stones.
My grandmother made cinnamon pinwheels every Sunday. I still remember watching her roll the dough into a log and slice it into little spirals. One day I tried the same trick for my dog, with chicken and spinach in place of the sugar. The green swirl looks fancy, but the steps are simple. And my dog thinks Sunday is still the best day of the week.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 35 minutes
- Chill time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 18 to 20 minutes
- Total time: about 1 hour 30 minutes (including cooling)
- Yield: about 30 cookies
- Difficulty: Medium-easy
- Storage life: up to 4 days in the fridge, up to 2 months in the freezer
Key Takeaway: Blend plain cooked chicken, steamed spinach, and a little pumpkin into a paste. Spread it on rolled oat dough, roll it into a log, chill, slice, and bake. Keep spinach to small amounts, and keep these in the fridge because they contain chicken.
Is Chicken Good for Dogs?
Yes. Plain cooked chicken is a good source of protein for most dogs.
The American Kennel Club says unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken can be served as a treat. It gives two cautions. Some dogs are allergic to chicken, and it ranks among the top 10 allergy-causing ingredients. Also, always take cooked chicken off the bone, because cooked bones splinter easily.
Is Spinach Safe for Dogs?
In small amounts, yes, for dogs with healthy kidneys. That’s why spinach is the supporting player here, not the star.
The AKC’s spinach guide says spinach has vitamins A, B, C, and K, plus iron, antioxidants, and beta-carotene. It also says spinach is very high in oxalic acid, which can block calcium absorption. The AKC notes that dogs with healthy kidneys can handle small amounts. It suggests avoiding spinach if your dog is prone to kidney or bladder stones.
Healthy Chicken and Spinach Dog Cookies Recipe
Squeeze the spinach very dry. Wet spinach makes a runny filling that leaks out of the swirl.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 ½ cups oat flour (blend about 1 ¾ cups plain rolled oats), plus extra for dusting
- 1 large egg
- 3 to 4 tablespoons water
For the filling:
- ½ cup plain cooked chicken breast, boneless and skinless, chopped
- 2 packed cups fresh spinach (cooks down to about ¼ cup)
- 2 tablespoons plain canned pumpkin purée (100% pumpkin)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Steam the spinach for 2 to 3 minutes, just until wilted.
- Let it cool, then squeeze out all the water with your hands.
- Put the spinach, chicken, and pumpkin in a food processor.
- Pulse until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg with 3 tablespoons of water.
- Stir in the oat flour until a soft dough forms. Add the last tablespoon of water only if it cracks.
- Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper.
- Roll it into a rectangle about 8 x 10 inches.
- Peel off the top sheet.
- Spread the filling evenly, leaving a ½-inch border on one long side.
- Starting from the other long side, roll the dough into a tight log, using the parchment to help.
- Pinch the seam closed.
- Wrap the log in the parchment and chill it for 20 minutes.
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet.
- Slice the log into ¼-inch rounds with a sharp knife.
- Lay the rounds flat on the tray, ½ inch apart.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until firm and golden at the edges.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Plain chicken, no bones. The AKC says to take cooked chicken off the bone and serve it unseasoned.
- Steam and chop the spinach. The AKC says steaming is the best way to prepare it, since raw spinach is hard for dogs to digest. It also says to chop it.
- No garlic, onion, salt, or oil. The AKC spinach guide warns against adding these. The AKC’s garlic guide explains that garlic and onions can damage a dog’s red blood cells.
- Skip store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s often seasoned. Poach or bake a plain breast instead. For more no-go foods, see my list of foods dogs cannot eat.
- Cook the egg all the way. The AKC’s egg guide says to always cook eggs before giving them to a dog.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the chill. A cold log slices into clean spirals. A warm log squishes flat and the swirl smears.
How Many Chicken Spinach Pinwheels Can My Dog Have?
One or two pinwheels a day is plenty for a medium dog. Give small dogs half a cookie, and large dogs up to three.
The AKC suggests giving spinach only in small amounts, and not too often. So I save these for a few days a week, not every day.
VCA Animal Hospitals says the general rule is that 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from complete and balanced food. The other 10% can come from treats and snacks. For a simple chart, see how many treats a dog should have a day.
Vet Tip: The AKC says to always ask your vet before adding spinach to your dog’s diet, even as a snack. That matters most if your dog has a history of kidney problems or bladder stones.
Can I Make These Without Spinach?
Yes. Swap in the same amount of steamed, finely chopped green beans, and the swirl still looks great.
That’s a handy choice for dogs who should skip spinach. You can also keep it simple with my chicken and oat dog treats or chicken and carrot dog bites.
Substitutions and Variations
You can change these pinwheels for allergies, flavor, or dog size.
Allergy Swaps
- Chicken-free: Use ½ cup plain cooked turkey breast. The AKC lists chicken among the most common allergens, so ask your vet which protein is best if your dog has food allergies.
- Egg-free: Use 3 tablespoons pumpkin purée in the dough instead of the egg.
Grain-Free Option
Use 1 ¼ cups chickpea flour in the dough. Roll it a bit thicker, about ¼ inch, so it doesn’t tear.
Quick Fold Version
No time to roll a log? Spread the filling on half of the rolled dough, fold the other half over, press, and cut 1-inch squares.
Scaling for Dog Size
- Small dogs: Roll a 6 x 12-inch rectangle so the log is thinner. Slice â…›-inch rounds and bake 14 to 16 minutes.
- Medium dogs: 8 x 10 inches and ¼-inch slices, like the recipe.
- Large dogs: Slice ½-inch rounds and bake 22 to 25 minutes.
More Spinach Ideas
Want a simpler spinach treat? Try my homemade spinach dog treats. For more ideas, read about the healthiest treats for dogs. For complete meals on busy weeks, try this variety dog meal plan.
How Do I Store Chicken Spinach Dog Treats?
Store cooled pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze extras for up to 2 months.
Because these contain chicken, don’t leave them out on the counter. Thaw frozen ones in the fridge overnight. Toss any that smell off or look slimy. You can also freeze the unbaked log, then thaw it in the fridge and slice it when you’re ready to bake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen spinach?
A: Yes. Thaw ¼ cup of plain frozen chopped spinach and squeeze it very dry.
Q: Can I use canned chicken?
A: Only if it’s plain and low in sodium. Drain and rinse it first. Plain home-cooked chicken is best.
Q: Why did my log crack when I rolled it?
A: The dough was a little dry. Brush it with a few drops of water and roll more slowly.
Q: Why did the filling leak out?
A: The spinach was too wet or the filling was too thick at the edges. Squeeze the spinach well and spread thin.
Q: Can my dog eat these every day?
A: I don’t recommend it. The AKC suggests feeding spinach only infrequently, so I keep these to a few days a week.
Q: Can puppies eat these?
A: Ask your vet first. If they say yes, offer a small piece of one cookie.
Final Thoughts
These healthy chicken spinach dog treats look fancy, but they’re just dough, a savory paste, and a roll. Use plain boneless chicken, steam and squeeze the spinach, and chill the log before slicing. Then bake and share a swirl or two. Curious whether your dog needs more nutrition support? Ask your vet about a dog supplement. And to keep an eye on your counter-surfer while the cookies cool, try a dog camera.
For more ideas like this, see my healthy treat recipes.
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