A Busy Mom’s Guide to Homemade (Easy) Dog Treats
Why Homemade Dog Treats?
When juggling a hectic schedule, feeding your dog homemade, healthy treats might seem like a luxury you can’t afford. Between work, family dinners, and everything else, spending extra time in the kitchen might feel overwhelming. It’s tempting to grab a box of store-bought dog biscuits and call it a day.
However, homemade dog treats are easier and more rewarding than you might think. Not only do you get to control the ingredients, ensuring that your dog gets a treat that’s free from allergens and fillers, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what’s in your pet’s snack.
Chicken Wild Rice Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 cup wild rice, mashed (or any preferred rice)
- 1 cup chicken, finely diced or shredded
- 3 tablespoons rice flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 beaten egg
Directions:
- Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix Ingredients: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until well blended.
- Prepare the Tray: Spoon the mixture into each cavity of a muffin tray.
- Bake: Cook for about 25 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown.
- Cool: Let the treats cool before giving them to your dog. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Pro Tip: This recipe, adapted from a beloved guide by Wide Open Pets, ensures your furry friend gets a nutritious snack that’s both tasty and wholesome.
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups whole wheat flour (adjust as needed)
Directions:
- Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In an electric mixer, beat the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and eggs together on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes.
- Add Flour: Gradually incorporate 2.5 cups of whole wheat flour. Lower the mixer speed to avoid a flour cloud.
- Adjust Consistency: Add more flour 1/4 cup at a time if needed, until the dough is firm but not too sticky.
- Roll and Cut: Flour a surface lightly, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness, and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
- Bake: Place on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Cool before serving.
Expert Tip: Baking times may vary based on the thickness and shape of the treats. Adjust as needed to ensure they’re perfectly cooked.
Easy Homemade Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
These easy peanut butter pumpkin dog treats fare simple to make and only contain four ingredients, which you’ll probably already have lying around your house.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup of pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup of peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups of whole wheat flour (can add more if the mixture is too wet)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking a sheet with parchment paper.
- You could also use a silicone baking mat.
- Next, use an electric mixer (with a paddle attachment) to beat the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and eggs together.
- Use a medium-high speed for around one to two minutes.
- After the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and eggs are well mixed, gradually add around 2 and 1/2 cups of the wheat flour.
- Make sure you lower the speed setting, so you don’t get a face full of powder!
- Add the remaining flour 1/4 at a time to help firm up the dough.
- If the dough is still too sticky, then you can add a bit more flour.
- Lightly flour a surface and knead the dough 3 to 4 times.
- Roll the dough to around a 1/4-inch thickness with a rolling pin.
- Cut out shapes in the dough with cookie cutters and put them onto the lined baking sheet.
- Put the treats into the preheated oven and bake them for around 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are a golden brown color.
- The serving size and baking time will depend on how thick the treats are and the shapes of them.
- When the treats are cooked, allow them to cool down before serving them to your dog.
Notes
Baking times may vary based on the thickness and shape of the treats. Adjust as needed to ensure they’re perfectly cooked.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 75Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 19mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g
Nutritional Information may not be accurate
Why Make Your Own Dog Treats?
Homemade dog treats are not just about nutrition; they are a way to show your love and care for your furry friend. By making treats yourself, you eliminate the risk of unknown additives and potential allergens found in commercial products. As pet nutritionist Dr. Sarah Johnson says, “Knowing exactly what goes into your pet’s diet is key to keeping them healthy and happy.”
Want More Delicious Recipes?
Craving more scrumptious and healthy recipes? Dive into my Pinterest board for a treasure trove of culinary inspiration! And if you’re eager to make meal prep even simpler, don’t miss out on my cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens: 100 Easy Recipes to Learn the Basics. It’s brimming with quick, easy recipes designed to elevate your cooking game. Grab your copy today and start transforming your meals!