Give Man’s Best Friend a Treat That’s Full of Flavor and Nutrients
Those loyal canines have a bowl full of brown pellets, but their human companions have something much more delectable in front of them. Every pet owner wants to indulge their dogs with treats from time to time. However, allowing Fido to lick up human food isn’t the best idea. Think like a chef so that the family dog can have some treats cooked up from scratch. Learn why making homemade treats is the way to go as a caring, pet owner. Every dog goes bananas for these recipes.
Why Homemade?
Manufactured dog food and treats are certainly regulated by the government, but that fact doesn’t mean that every ingredient is pure and natural. Golden pet owners know that many ingredients are fillers so that the items have a long, shelf life. Avoiding fillers is typically the goal when owners make their own treats.
Homemade treats give owners a chance to control the ingredients in the food. Pets that have sensitivities are especially vulnerable to manufactured items, such as gluten- or sugar-filled products. It’s possible to cook up homemade treats that can travel with the pup too, including a trip to dog daycare.
Ingredients to Avoid
There’s a laundry list of items that dogs cannot eat. Always be aware of these substances because many of them are toxic or deadly to dogs. Avoid these items, including:
- Grapes or raisins
- Citrus
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Raw eggs
- Alcohol
It’s true that some of these items are incredibly common around the typical household. Simply stop before giving any item to the household pup. Think about its ingredients. Unless it’s an official dog treat or special item created by hand, keep it away from the dog. It’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to the dog’s health.
Sweet-Potato Ease
Before pet owners send their pup off to dog care for the day, consider a fun treat that’s shared with humans. Fry up sweet-potato fries in some canola oil. After pulling them from the fryer, sprinkle turmeric and cinnamon onto them. Use the spices sparingly so that there’s no irritation in the pup’s mouth.
Be sure to cut the fries into small enough shapes for the dog. Every Lakewood pup varies in size. The fries should be easy to chew and swallow.
Frozen Peanut Butter
Although Golden is known for its cold winters, it can get hot in the summer. If a pup is scheduled for a trip to the kennel, give it a yummy sendoff with a cool treat. Warm up peanut butter in the microwave. Allow it to get to a soft, melting point. Mix it with plain yogurt. Scoop one ball each into cupcake liners. Freeze them overnight.
Pull out the frozen treat before heading to dog boarding. The pup cools down from its playtime while associating treats with a trip away from home.
Chicken-and-Rice Favorites
Before heading off to the kennel, pet owners might try a meal-based treat. Prepare these foods ahead of time so that anyone can pull them from the refrigerator. Combine cooked chicken, prepared rice, parsley, rice flour and egg into a bowl. Spoon the mixture into molds safe for the oven. Cook the treats at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until 30 minutes have passed.
After cooling them down, these treats are bite-sized for any occasion. Offer one treat to the pup after dog care so that it knows that well-behaved dogs are rewarded with yummy goodness.
Carrot Pupcakes
When a dog’s birthday approaches, most pet owners want to do something nice for their furry friend. Offering everyday cake isn’t the best choice, but cupcakes or pupcakes are an option. Combine whole-wheat flour, applesauce, vanilla extract, baking powder, shredded carrot, egg, water, honey and peanut butter into a mixing bowl. Cook this mixture in cupcake containers for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. Dogs of all ages will enjoy this celebration.
Pumpkin Heaven
Every pup has its favorite food, even at dog daycare. When a cake won’t do, try cookies. Add only four ingredients together, such as:
- Canned pumpkin
- Flour
- Egg
- Cinnamon
Bake them into small cookies for about 40 minutes. These simple ingredients give the pup a chance to indulge without ingesting fillers, chemicals and other unwanted items. The cookies store well in the refrigerator so that a treat is always ready to go.
Baby-Food Magic
If pet owners are in a hurry, two ingredients is all that they’ll need for these treats. Pick a favorite baby food, such as beef or fruit. Combine the baby-food contents with flour. Cut the combined mixture into preferred shapes. Bake them for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
These treats are unique because they can be mixed with almost any baby food that the dog prefers. Try different flavors each time to see the pet get excited at the mystery food.
Fruit Fantastic
For those hot days, a frozen treat is welcomed by everyone. Get the family dog involved with a fruity treat. Mix together raspberries, watermelon and plain yogurt. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into ice cube trays. Freeze them overnight. Pop the treats out of the trays, and the family has an instant treat for Fido. They’re so delicious that the kids may want to try them too.
Keep in mind that dog boarding facilities adhere to strict protocols when it comes to feeding the animals. The pet owners must approve each item for safety purposes. Prepare a few treats at a Lakewood home before taking the pup to a facility. The caregivers don’t mind the treats as long as the owners explain their purpose and frequency with the pups. Whether a family is on vacation or at home, man’s best friend can always benefit from treats that are cooked with good health in mind.
