5 Healthy Dog Treats | For Training and Pampering Your Pooch

Is your doggie a real foodie? If your pooch’s ears perk up at the sound of every pack of snacks that you open, it can be a real ordeal. You can’t even enjoy a cookie or two without your dog making you feel guilty about not sharing it with them. Yes, those large round eyes can win over anyone anytime. But as you might know, many human foods are not safe for dogs. This is where having a stash of healthy dog treats can come in really handy.

Buying dog treats from the store sure is a more convenient option. But it is generally not the best for your pet’s wellbeing. Many dog treats available in the market are filled with artificial preservatives, which can lead to health problems. Homemade dog treats are not only healthy but also customizable. That is, you can choose the ingredients that align with your dog’s dietary needs.

Here are some of the top recipes for healthy dog treats your pooch is sure to love.

1. Peanut Butter Dog Treats

This is the go-to recipe for dog owners who aren’t very confident in their cooking skills. The peanut butter treats are extremely easy to prepare and equally nutritious as well. The best part is that you can prepare these cookies in bulk and store them until required. For some extra crunch, use chunky peanut butter instead of the ordinary one.

Ingredients

• Flour – 2 cups
• Creamy peanut butter – ½ cup
• Eggs – 2
• Water – ¼ cup

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
3. If the dough is not workable, you can add a little bit of water or flour as appropriate.
4. Roll out the dough and cut it into your (dog’s) favorite cookie shapes.
5. Bake for 15 minutes and let cool before serving.

2. Chicken and Rice Treats

This nutrition-packed treat can brighten up any dog’s day. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes and is suitable for dogs with tummy troubles as well. You can store the rice balls in the fridge for up to a week. Or refrigerate them for up to 3 months instead.

Ingredients

• Boiled and diced boneless chicken – 1 cup
• Boiled rice – ½ cup
• Rice flour – 3 tbsp
• Parsley – 1 tbsp (optional)
• Egg – 1

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. In a large bowl, mix the egg and the rice flour.
3. Add in parsley, boiled rice, and chicken and combine properly.
4. Roll the mixture into balls. Alternatively, you can spoon it into a silicone mold as per your preference.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the balls turn golden brown.
6. Flavorful and healthy dog treats are ready!

3. Cheesy Bites for Dogs

These PAWsomely delicious cheese bites are the ideal treat for rewarding your dog after their training sessions. Take note, though, that the generous serving of cheese means these treats should only be given occasionally. A high intake of dairy products such as cheese can cause stomach upset in dogs.

Ingredients

• Flour – 4 cups
• Shredded cheddar cheese – 2 cups
• Oil – 2 tbsp
• Water – 1-2 cups

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Combine flour and cheese in a large bowl.
3. Pour water and top and knead into a smooth dough.
4. Dust a cutting board with dry flour and roll out the dough.
5. Cut with a bone-shaped or any other cutter available.
6. Place the cheese bites on a non-greasy cookie sheet
7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the treats appear completely dry.

4. Sweet Potato Fries Fiesta

Everyone needs their daily portion of veggies – including our canine companions. And luckily, sweet potato happens to be quite popular among all dog breeds. You can simply boil diced sweet potatoes and give them to your pooch as a snack in between meals. But if that’s too bland for their taste buds, these fried sweet potatoes are the perfect substitute.

Ingredients

• Sweet potato – 1 (medium-sized)
• Coconut oil – 1 tbsp
• Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp (optional)
• Cinnamon – ¼ tsp (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Thoroughly wash the sweet potato and then peel it.
3. Cut it into bite-sized thin sticks.
4. Pour the oil over the sticks and toss a few times, so they are all coated in oil.
5. Sprinkle the spices and mix again.
6. Spread the potato sticks on a lined baking tray.
7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, flip the contents over and then bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Let cool before serving.

5. Delicious Dog Donuts

No wise pooch parent would ever give their pet a sugary human donut. But that doesn’t mean your fur friend has to be deprived of the goodness of donuts altogether. Let them delve into a delicious dog donut made exclusively for them.

Ingredients

• Flour – 1 cup
• Oats – 1 cup
• Coconut oil – 1/3 cup
• Peanut butter – ½ cup
• Eggs – 2
• Greek yogurt – ½ cup
• Bacon bits – for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Lightly grease a donut pan with a bit of cooking spray and set aside.
3. Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. It’s easier to combine them with your hands, but you can use a spoon for the task as well.
4. Once formed into a stiff dough, divide into equal small portions and fill into each donut cavity. If you don’t have a donut pan, you can just use the traditional method to make the donuts – i.e., roll them into shape by hands or use two different sized glass bottoms to cut into rings.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the donuts turn light brown.
6. Allow to cool, then top with Greek yogurt and bacon bits.

Healthy Dog Treats: Ending Note

Sharing is not always caring when it comes to human snacks and our canine companions. With these homemade healthy dog treats, you can pamper your pooch with a guilt-free indulgence.