Natural Dog Treats – They’re Ter-ruff-ic!

Many owners delving into natural dog health are expanding that to include natural dog treats. Why go out of your way to ensure your dog has the highest quality food available for meals, then turn around and give them the treats that are on sale that week?

If you are going to make sure your dog is getting the vitamins and minerals they require in their meals, why not take the same measure with their treats? It is nice to see that now health articles address things like natural pet products and are more often than not, now including a recipe for a tasty treat for your best friend.

I have come across literally hundreds, if not thousands of natural dog treat recipes over the years. Some are quick and easy. Others are extravagant, intended to look like something fit for a king (and cost a fortune to make). Homemade natural dog treats can be inexpensive and are also great because you can customize them to your dogs needs.

Little effort and expense are the way I like to go. I’m definitely a fan of quick and easy. I’ve included 4 food recipes here that are a hit around our home. They are easy to make and the dogs are crazy about them. Of course, sometimes I like to take the even easier way out and I order some treats from Sojourner Farms when I'm ordering their meals. The quality and price are excellent if you would rather purchase than make your own.

APPLE CRUNCH MINI PUPCAKES

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 4 tbsp honey
• 4 cups flour
• 2 ¾ cups water
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg (slightly beaten)
• 1 cup dried or fresh apple

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all wet ingredients thoroughly. Mix dry ingredients separately. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry one, mixing as you go.

Make sure dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated into the wet. Pour mixture into muffin tins.

Bake for 1 ¼ hours or until toothpick comes out dry.

Makes 12-14 pupcakes in regular pans or around 30 “mini” pupcakes.

FROZEN PUPSICLES

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 ripe banana
• 16 oz. plain yogurt

Directions:

Mix the peanut butter, honey, and fruit together until well blended. Mash with a fork or use the blender. Add the fruit mixture to the yogurt and mix well.

Freeze in ice cube trays. Crack trays and release treats as needed! Perfect for those hot summer days!

PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

Ingredients:

• 15 oz. can mashed pure pumpkin (NOT the spiced pie filling)
• 3/4 cup cream of wheat (or rice cereal if wheat-sensitive) --no need to cook it first
• 1/2 cup powdered milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix all ingredients together.

Drop small spoonfuls (about ½ tbsp) onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.

If you'd like to make bite sized cookies for smaller dogs, training rewards or just smaller sized treats, use a pastry bag and squeeze out rosettes about the size of a dime.

DELICIOUS OATMEAL DOG TREATS

Ingredients:

• 3 cups oatmeal, uncooked
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tsp baking soda

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together. Drop small spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 12 - 15 minutes. Remove and place on a cooling rack.

These can be stored in refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Feel free to send us your recipe if you’ve come across any natural dog treats that your pup just couldn’t do without!

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