Bark-worthy Recipes: Homemade Treats for Your Furry Friend
As pet parents, we are always looking for ways to make our furry friends happy and healthy. One way to do so is by giving them homemade treats made with love. Not only do they show our love and care towards our pets, but they are also free from preservatives and harmful chemicals often found in store-bought treats.
But before we dive into some bark-worthy recipes, let’s discuss some basic dos and don’ts of making homemade treats for our pets.
Dos:
1. Use pet-safe ingredients: Always make sure to use only pet-safe ingredients. Avoid using ingredients that are toxic to pets like chocolate, garlic, onions, grapes, raisins, and nuts.
2. Consider your pet’s dietary requirements: Just like us, our pets have specific dietary requirements. If your pet has any allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure to avoid ingredients that can trigger them.
3. Keep it simple: Pets love treats, but they do not need fancy ingredients or complicated recipes. Keep the treats simple and easy to make.
4. Consult with your vet: If you are unsure about any ingredient, always consult with your vet beforehand.
Don’ts:
1. Don’t use spices, salt, or sugar: Spices, salt, and sugar may be good for us, but it is not the same for our pets. These can cause stomach upset and lead to long-term health issues.
2. Don’t feed your pet too many treats: Treats should be given in moderation, as too many treats can lead to obesity and other health concerns.
3. Don’t use harmful preservatives: Avoid using preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. These are often used in commercial pet foods and can be harmful to your pet’s health.
Now that we know the basic dos and don’ts, let’s get into some bark-worthy recipes that are sure to make your pet’s tail wag.
1. Banana and Peanut Butter Pupcakes
Ingredients:
– 2 ripe bananas
– 1/4 cup of peanut butter
– 2 eggs
– 1/4 cup of olive oil
– 1 cup of whole wheat flour
– 1 teaspoon of baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
– 1/4 cup of water
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas.
3. Add the peanut butter and mix well.
4. Add the eggs and olive oil and mix until well-combined.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well-incorporated.
7. Add the water and mix until the batter is smooth.
8. Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop the batter into the cupcake liners.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Allow the pupcakes to cool down before serving.
2. Sweet Potato Pupsicles
Ingredients:
– 2 large sweet potatoes
– 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt
– 1/4 cup of honey
– 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
– 1/2 cup of water
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then chop them into small chunks.
3. Place the sweet potato chunks on the baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes or until they are soft.
4. After the sweet potatoes have cooled down, place them in a blender or food processor.
5. Add the Greek yogurt, honey, and cinnamon to the sweet potatoes.
6. Blend the mixture for 2-3 minutes or until it is smooth.
7. Add the water to the mixture and blend again until it is well-incorporated.
8. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or popsicle molds.
9. Freeze for at least 2-3 hours or until the pupsicles are frozen.
10. Serve the pupsicles to your furry friend on a hot summer day.
3. Chicken and Rice Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of cooked brown rice
– 1/2 cup of cooked chicken, chopped
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour
– 1/4 cup of oats
– 1/4 cup of water
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the brown rice and chopped chicken.
3. Add the egg and mix until well-combined.
4. Add the whole wheat flour and oats and mix well.
5. Add water to the mixture to make it slightly wet.
6. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop the mixture and place it on the baking sheet.
7. Flatten the treats with a fork or your hands.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Allow the treats to cool down before serving.
FAQs:
1. Can I use coconut oil in my homemade treats?
Yes, coconut oil is safe for pets in small amounts. It can be used to add flavor and moisture to your treats, but it should not replace any other ingredient in the recipe.
2. Can I use any type of flour in homemade treats?
Whole wheat flour and oats are the preferred flours for homemade treats as they are easy to digest for pets. However, if your pet has any gluten allergies, you can use a gluten-free flour like coconut flour or almond flour.
3. Can I store homemade treats at room temperature?
Homemade treats can be kept at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to a month.
In conclusion, homemade treats are a great way to show our furry friends how much we love and care for them. With these bark-worthy recipes and some basic knowledge about the dos and don’ts of pet treat making, you can create a delicious and safe treat that your pet will surely love. Happy baking!
Images:
Image 1: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-white-short-coated-puppy-on-white-textile-3276046/
Caption: “Don’t forget to show love to your furry friend with homemade treats”
Image 2: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-black-short-coated-puppy-swimming-in-waters-during-daytime-218949/
Caption: “Sweet Potato Pupsicles: Perfect treat for a hot summer day”
Image 3: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-brown-short-coated-dog-with-gray-leash-2343778/
Caption: “Chicken and Rice Dog Treats: a delicious and wholesome treat for your pet”
