Homemade treats for your pet dog

Friendly, furry and full of love, dogs are incredibly rewarding pets. But, they can often be frustratingly fussy when it comes to food. Or at the opposite end of the scale, they’ll gobble down anything in sight. Lab owners, we’re looking at you!

Regardless of their eating habits, you love your pup to pieces and want to give them everything they need to stay happy and healthy. Unfortunately, this means store-bought treats don’t always cut it. Packed full of preservatives and additives, packaged treats can often do more harm than good.

This is where a little creativity in the kitchen goes a long way. Whether you love to bake or are a complete novice, these DIY pet treats are the perfect way to pamper your furry four legged friends. They’re tasty, nutritious, and you know exactly what they’re made of. Plus, you can tailor your recipes to suit your dog’s taste preferences, as well as cater to any dietary restrictions.

So, what’s on the table?

Tail wagging trail mix

Dogs love leftovers, so why not turn yours into a nutritious trail mix that will get tails wagging?  Simply combine leftovers from your fringe and chop into bite sized chunks. Use things like meat, sweet potatoes, veg (no onions), and fruit.  Brush lightly with coconut oil and place in a food dehydrator or into a preheated oven until dried. Sprinkle with cinnamon (this can help regulate blood sugar and raise insulin resistance), add a handful of healthy seeds, and take to the park for an on-the-go treat.

Peanut butter pops

On a hot day, these peanut butter pops are the perfect way to cool down after a play session. Simply blend 1 cup of sugar free peanut butter with 4 cups of natural yogurt. Packed full of calcium, protein, and probiotics, yogurt is great for doggy digestive systems. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays, then freeze until solid.

Pumpkin power balls

Loaded with fibre, vitamin A, potassium, iron, and carotene, these snack sized pumpkin balls are so good you could eat them too! Start by boiling 1 cup of pumpkin, then mash until smooth. Add 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp coconut oil, ½ cup peanut butter, 2 cups oats, and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Roll into balls, place on a baking tray, and refrigerate until firm.

DIY dog biscuits

Dog biscuits are available from any supermarket, but the ingredients lists can often be intimidatingly long. That’s why we love this recipe from Martha Stewart, which calls for just six wholesome elements. Pick up a bone shaped cookie cutter and your snacks will look nothing short of adorable. You can even package them up for your friends, and encourage your fellow pet owners to get on the DIY bandwagon. Before serving you can drizzle with melted coconut oil, which helps to get eyes shining and fur coats gleaming with health.

Carrot cookies

Perfect for hungry pups, these carrot cookies are packed full of goodness. All you need to do is blend ½ cup oatmeal, ½ cup flour, 1 cup grated carrot, and ½ cup water. Mix until smooth, roll into small balls, and bake for 15 minutes at 180 °C.

Ready to swap run of the mill kibble for healthy, homemade treats that your pup will love? These recipes are guaranteed to get tails wagging, tongues lolling, and coast glistening! If you have any tried and tested dog-friendly recipes, we’d love to hear from you.