Fun Pet Treat Recipes
While most store-bought pet treats are perfectly fine for your pet, sometimes you want to go the extra mile and make something from scratch to show your love. This way, you know all the ingredients that your pet is consuming, and can feel good about giving your pet something homemade.
Making fun, delicious, and healthy pet treats for your furry family member doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be simple and easy! The team at Androscoggin Animal Hospital has put together this guide to our favorite easy DIY pet treat recipes for your animal companions. For these simple and easy recipes, all you need is a few ingredients, some kitchen cooking utensils, an oven or a freezer, and a little sprinkle of love.
Baked Treats
Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Dog Treats
What you need:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (check the label first to make sure it does not contain xylitol)
- 1 cup plain oats (add more as needed)
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree (make sure it’s just pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- Food processor
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutter
What to do:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Add 1 cup of oats to a food processor, and grind until it becomes fine and powdery. Put the oats powder into a mixing bowl, and add the peanut butter and pumpkin puree. Mix the ingredients together until it forms a sticky dough. Roll or flatten dough out onto a floured surface, and use a cookie cutter to cut into shapes (you can get some in cute dog-inspired shapes). Place shapes on the baking sheet and bake for about 25-30 minutes, until the treats are hard. Make sure the treats cool completely before serving to your canine companion. You can store these treats in an airtight container for up to a week.
Baked Tuna Cat Treats
What you need:
- 1 4oz can tuna, in water. Drain the tuna and flake apart well.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon dried catnip (optional)
- Food processor
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
What to do:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put all the ingredients in the food processor (catnip is optional), and process until a thick, smooth dough is formed. Scoop dough into small, ¼ teaspoon sized balls, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Slightly flatten each ball. Bake for about 15 minutes, and let cool completely before giving to your cat. You can store these treats in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze them.
Frozen Treats
Frozen Berry and Yogurt Treats
Your pup will love these customizable frozen treats, which are great for sunny days and a yummy snack. Switch it up by using only blueberries, strawberries, or a mixture of both! You can also use other pet-friendly fruits, such as bananas or pineapples.
What you need:
- Ice tray or silicone mold (You can get fun shapes, such as this bone or paw treat mold)
- A 2 cup (or larger) glass measuring cup, or similar
- Blueberries (frozen or fresh)
- Strawberries (fresh may be easier to slice, to sit into the ice mold)
- Plain yogurt
- Water
- Optional: Blender or food processor
What to do:
Start by adding 4 ounces of yogurt and 4 ounces of water into your mixing bowl. Whisk the water and yogurt mixture together until blended. Add slightly more yogurt if you would like a creamier, higher calorie treat. Pour the yogurt mixture into your ice tray or treat mold, about halfway full to leave room for the berries. Add whole blueberries and strawberry slices to each ice mold. If using frozen strawberries, blend a handful with a little bit of water, before adding the strawberry mixture to each mold. Pop into the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until completely frozen.
Tip: If using a silicone mold, try placing the mold on a baking sheet for better handling when the ingredients are still liquid. This will make it easier to place into the freezer without spilling!
Need more healthy treat ideas, or curious about what fruits and veggies are safe for your pets? Give the caring team at Androscoggin Animal Hospital a call for nutritional guidance for your furry friends at (207) 729-4678.