Pet treats are not essential for a dog's well being, but the treats can be used in training or simply as a reward when your dog is behaving as you expect him to behave. There are commercial treats that you can get for your pet. However, baking your own home-made treats can be very rewarding. In addition to the dietary benefits, home-made pet treats can help repelling fleas or ticks.
Ingredients for Natural Pet Treats for Dogs
While commercial pet treats can contain harmful ingredients such as preservatives and animal by-products, there are some healthy ingredients that you should purchase when you want to make your own pet treats:
- Olive oil is a natural source of omega 3 fatty acids and can be mixed in the treats
- Flaxseeds, recommended especially good for dogs with arthritis, but also for blood circulation, as they contain omega 3 fatty acids.
- Chicken broth
- Eggs
- Fish oil
- Yogurt, but only plain yogurt, which contains probiotics; if your dog is or has been on antibiotics, yogurt will help restore his intestinal bacteria
Liver Cookies
This is a great pet treat recipe all for dogs. Liver is a natural source of iron and A vitamin.
You will need:
- Wheat 1 and ½ cups
- Liver: 1lb
- Corn meal: 1 cup and ½
- Eggs: 3 or 4
The ingredients should be mixed until you obtain a puree. Grease a brownie pan, pour the mixture and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
Frozen Pet Treats for Dogs
The frozen treats are recommended during hot days. You will need:
- Honey: 1 spoon
- Peanut butter: 1 spoon
- Banana: 1
- Plain yoghurt: 16 ounces
Mash and blend the honey, peanut butter and bananas together, then add yoghurt and mix. Pour the mixture in ice cube trays and freeze for 2 hours.
Canine Thanksgiving Treats
You will need:
- Cooked and minced turkey: 2 cups
- Whole-wheat flour: 2 cups
- Low fat grated cheese: 4 teaspoons
- Fresh chopped parsley
- 2 beaten eggs
- Brewer's yeast: 2 tablespoons
- Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
Blend the turkey, the cheese and the parsley, then pour the eggs in. Gradually add the flour, then the yeast and mix. Grease a cookie sheet and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pour small lumps of the mixture on the cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, until the treats are brown in color.
Pet Treat Recipes for Dogs Allergic to Grains
You will need:
- Ground beef: ½ pound
- Chicken broth: ¼ cup
- Cooked and mashed black beans: 1/3 cup
- Cottage cheese: 1/3 cup
Mix the meat and the chicken broth, then add the beans and the cheese. Mix well, until the paste is homogenous. The dough-like mixture can be shaped or placed into forms. Put a cookie sheet in a baking pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake the cookies for 45 minutes.