5 DIY dog treats to improve your pet’s overall health

Your dog depends on you for everything they need — particularly their food and treats. Just as humans need nutritious food to stay healthy, dogs also require optimum nourishment to maintain their overall wellness and health. But more importantly, how you feed them will determine the quality and length of their lives.

Make DIY dog treats for your pup

Aside from preparing healthy dog meals, you should also consider making DIY dog treats with better nutritional values. Homemade pet treats, when done right, are healthier since they don’t contain as many chemicals, fats, and preservatives as commercial dog treats. They’re also fresher and safer for your dog simply because they’re specially made for their health needs.

Here are some DIY dog treats ideas and recipes you can save and try one by one:

Homemade peanut butter dog treats 

If your furry friend is among the majority of dogs that love peanut butter, they’re in for a delicious treat. This peanut butter and CBD dog treat recipe is the perfect tidbit that makes use of high-quality ingredients that include the following:

• 1 to 2 drops of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup peanut butter (natural style)
• High MCT fractionated coconut oil (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight)

The instructions are also pretty simple and easy, plus there’s no cooking required. All you need to do is melt the CBD and coconut oils over low heat. Then, mix in the peanut butter and cinnamon. Just make sure that all ingredients are evenly mixed, especially the CBD. After thoroughly mixing, pour the mixture into a mold or a silicone tray. You can choose to freeze or refrigerate them until they’re set. Once firm, you can pop them out of the mold and serve. For storage, use an airtight container and keep it inside the refrigerator.

DIY dog biscuits

If you’re into baking, try homemade biscuits for your dog. For the ingredients, you’ll need the following:

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 2 ½ cups regular oats or whole wheat flour
• ½ cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon of chicken or beef bouillon granules (can also be stock or broth)

You can also add other flavors such as bacon bits, liver powder, or shredded cheese to make the treat tastier. To start baking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If you’re using bouillon granules, dissolve them in hot water first, then add the remaining ingredients. Start kneading the dough for approximately 3 minutes or until you can form it into a firm ball. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough until it flattens to about ½ inch thick. If you have a bone-shaped cookie cutter, you can cut the dough into biscuit pieces. After cutting, place the pieces on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.

Your dog will surely feel excited and more eager to mind their manners when training if these DIY biscuits are their prize for a job well done!

Healthy but tasty pumpkin balls

If your dog enjoys pumpkin, they’ll surely appreciate some surprise treats made from canned pumpkin, molasses, whole wheat flour, and cinnamon. Pick the plain or unsweetened type of canned pumpkin to ensure no additives or extra sweeteners. Here are the ingredients:

• ½ cup canned pumpkin
• 4 tbsp water
• 4 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups whole wheat flour

Baking these pumpkin balls is also relatively easy. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Mix molasses, water, pumpkin, and vegetable oil together in a bowl. Then, throw in baking soda, wheat flour, cinnamon, and baking powder. Mix well until your dough softens. You can use a spoon to scoop them out and roll them into balls using wet hands. Finally, bake for at least 25 minutes or until the dough hardens.

Sweet potato ice cream treats

Sweet potatoes aren’t only tasty but also very healthy because of their high dietary fiber content. To create this refreshing treat for your dog, you’ll need only three ingredients:

• Peanut butter
• Pureed sweet potato
• Plain yogurt

Feel free to experiment with the ratio of these ingredients to get the taste and consistency your dog may like. To combine them thoroughly, use a food blender or processor. After blending, put the mixture into the freezer to set, then serve the treats to your dog when ready.

Go fresh and simple

If you’ve got no time to bake or whisk something up, you can always go for the quick and easy way, and that’s to give your dog a piece of vegetable or fruit each time they deserve a treat. Skip the snacks that are high in sugar, fat, or preservatives, and feed them instead with some fresh produce for a change. 

Some of the best vegetables that dogs enjoy are green beans, broccoli, carrots, peas, and celery. For fruits, you can slice up some bananas, watermelon, mangoes, and apples. Just don’t forget to remove the seeds and be careful not to include those that may be harmful to them, such as raisins, grapes, onions, or anything with caffeine.

Guilt-free DIY dog treats

Making DIY dog treats lets your dog enjoy more treats without you worrying or feeling guilty is not impossible. You can prepare these homemade goodies for your best bud and take comfort in the fact that you’re feeding your dog nothing but healthy yet delicious treats. Just remember to serve treats in moderation to avoid spoiling their appetite for their next meals. 

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