3 Crazy Easy DIY Dog Treats!
We can all agree -
There’s nothing quite like indulging in a cup of a fabulously made cocoa or freshly juiced smoothie. Believe it or not, critters can also enjoy the satisfying jolt of a good snack. Unfortunately, animal metabolism differs a bit from human ones, and we can’t always chow down on the same stuff.
While a walk down the pet aisle might offer some options, we’ve scoured the web for our favorite DIY organic pet treats that will help keep your pup or kitty satisfied and healthy.
The best place to start when you get to cooking is to make sure you aren’t tossing in any ingredients that could result in a trip to the vet. Below is a graphic that outlines toxic foods for your pets.
Source: www.petsbest.com
Simply, anything that contains chocolate, caffeine, or soda pop can actually kill critters in large amounts. Grapes and raisins can also cause kidney failure in dogs. Onions and garlic can also cause anemia in pups and destroy their red blood cells. Avocados also contain a serious toxin, and macadamia nuts are so bad for dogs it can actually cause them to die.
There are a number of foods that just aren’t suitable for animal treats, and a responsible pet owner should brush up on those in order to responsibly play chef for Fido or Fluffy.
So without further delay, here are our 3 top picks for DIY organic dog treats!
PUMPKIN APPLE DOG TREAT
Photo source: www.munchkinsandmilitary.com
Alex over at munchkinsandmilitary.com has got a great recipe for Pumpkin Apple Dog Treats here: http://munchkinsandmilitary.com/2016/10/pumpkin-apple-dog-treats.html
It takes 22 minutes total to make and bake these babies, and they are too adorable.
Prep Time - 10 min
Cook Time - 12 min
Ingredients
- 4 - 4.5 cups oatmeal, plus additional
- 1 medium apple
- 1 egg
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Grind the oatmeal down in a food processor or blender. Transfer to mixing bowl.
- Core apple, being sure to remove all of the seeds. Grate apple, and add to bowl with oatmeal.
- Add egg and canned pumpkin to bowl and mix well to combine. The mixture will be thick and slightly sticky.
- On a surface dusted with oatmeal (ground or not, your choice) roll the dough out to approximately 1/2" thick. Use a doggy bone cookie cutter to cut dough into shapes, and transfer to a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Allow to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container for up to a week.
As bad as chocolate is for dogs, peanut butters is absolutely the opposite.
It is often a go-to for pet trainers and others who work with dogs as a reward for good behavior. Peanut butter has a strong, appealing smell that drives canines crazy.
This quick simple recipe for Banana Peanut Butter treats is a great one. We recommend breaking out a doggie bone cookie cutter to let folks know that these treats are pup-centric, but in reality, they are human friendly too. Take a bite.
BANANA PEANUT BUTTER TREATS
Photo source: http://damndelicious.net/2016/01/25/peanut-butter-banana-dog-treats/
This quick simple recipe for Banana Peanut Butter treats is a great one. We recommend breaking out a doggie bone cookie cutter to let folks know that these treats are pup-centric, but in reality, they are human friendly too. Take a bite.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups uncooked Oatmeal
1 large Banana
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
INSTRUCTIONS
Grind oats in a food processor until they are fine dust. In a separate bowl, blend banana and peanut butter until they are smooth. Mix mixtures into a dough and roll out into ¼ inch thickness. Press into dog bones with cookie cutter and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Want something a little less sugar-y to give the pup a boost, without activating the hyperactivity?
SPINACH, CARROT AND ZUCCHINI TREATS
Photo source: http://damndelicious.net/2015/06/10/spinach-carrot-and-zucchini-dog-treats/
INGREDIENTS
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 large eggs
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
3 cups whole wheat flour, or more, as needed
1 carrot, peeled and shredded
1 zucchini, shredded
1 cup baby spinach, chopped
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat pumpkin puree, peanut butter and eggs on medium-high until well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
Gradually add old fashioned oats and 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky. Add carrot, zucchini and spinach, beating just until incorporated.
Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
Place into oven and bake until the edges are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.*
Let cool completely.
Check out Damn Delicious’s spinach, carrot and zucchini treats here: http://damndelicious.net/2015/06/10/spinach-carrot-and-zucchini-dog-treats/
The recipe is as follows on the site:
If you want a heavier, meatier meal, some of your homesteaders might find a good use for old bones and other animal leftovers. This Youtube video gives a great tutorial on how take leftover chicken feet and turn it into yummy pup treats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVZAzRhIs8
The DIY dog treat universe is very vast and this post barely scratches the surface of it. Send us your critter recipe ideas so we can share!