Did you know that November 1st is National Cook for Your Pets Day? Not only can cooking for your pets be a lot of fun, it’s a great way to make sure your furry friends are getting the proper nutrition they need. Plus, only you know your pet’s particular likes and dislikes, so you can tailor the treats specifically to his or her paw-lette! Making your own homemade dog treats can be a fun way to both spoil your dog and save money!
So, throw away those preservative-filled treats and take a few minutes to make some healthy, homemade snacks for Fido – it’s easy and fun, we promise!
Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Treats
Did you know November is also Peanut Butter Lovers Month? We know most doggos love peanut butter and these tasty treats are sure to please them! Treat them to this simple treat and they’re tails are sure to be wagging. Ingredients you’ll need include:
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, combine the above ingredients to form a dough, and simply shape your cookies onto a baking sheet; pop them into the oven for 30 minutes and – ta-dah! – you’ll have some pawsome treats made with wholesome ingredients in no time!
Sweet Potato Chew Treats
Sweet potato is safe for dogs; in fact, this veggie provides them with a range of health benefits! Sweet potatoes are great for digestive health as they’re high in dietary fiber and they’re also low in fat and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese. For a simple snack, thickly slice up some sweet potatoes and bake them at 175 degrees for 4 hours on a greased pan. The same could be done with other foods like apples and bananas, depending on what your pup likes!
Apple-Cheddar Dog Biscuits
These biscuits are sure to have your pups begging for more! The recipe is simple and provides the perfect treat for this time of year. You’ll need:
- 2 cups barley flour
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (or use chopped apples for added texture)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, mix the above ingredients until they form a dough and place the biscuits on a non-stick baking sheet. You can use a festive cookie cutter to form leaves, dog bones, apples, etc. The options are endless! Bake for 30 minutes and you’re done!
We hope you and your four-legged pals enjoy these treats. Do you have any special recipes you use during this time of year for your pets? Let us know in the comments below!