How to Put Other Pet Parents to Shame
Our animals deserve the best, which is why we spend so much time and money on giving them the right food, healthy snacks, and entertaining toys! But what if we told you that you could whip up homemade treats better than anything on shelves? Come with us as we explore some of the best options for dogs and cats.
1. Peanut Butter Banana Bites
If you have rolled oats, peanut butter, and a banana at home, you have every ingredient for a healthy dog treat! All you have to do is mix them in a bowl, mash them into little patties, and bake for around 15 minutes. You’ll have a delicious, low-calorie treat that improves muscle and provides fiber.
2. Chicken Broth Ice Cubes
Chicken broth is good for both adults and their furry friends. You can knock out two birds with one stone by pouring low-sodium broth into an ice cube tray and giving your pup a frozen snack that also keeps them busy.
3. Berry Yogurt Treats
Who doesn’t like berry and yogurt? It’s a tasty combo we can’t get enough of—let alone your pet! For this one, you’ll only need strawberries and nonfat Greek yogurt. Stick the berries in an ice cube tray, slather yogurt on top, and then freeze until hard. You can even toss in blueberries as an added treat.
4. Apple and Oat Cookies
You won’t need more than oats, applesauce, and eggs to get this yummy snack in the oven. After mixing the ingredients, you simply bake spoonfuls of batter for roughly 20 minutes, and voila! It’s a healthy snack to give in moderation for potassium and antioxidants.
5. Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Treats
We don’t necessarily drool over pumpkin and peanut butter, but Fido sure does, and that’s exactly why he’ll love this snack. Simply toss pumpkin puree, oats, and peanut butter in a food processor before popping the dough in the oven for 25 minutes. Remember: be careful with pumpkin-based dog treats—always reach for puree over pumpkin pie stuffing.
6. Pupcakes
Our dogs deserve a celebration every day, which is where scrumptious pupcakes come in! Many recipes exist online, so you won’t have trouble finding the best variation for your pooch. That said, we love ingredients like pumpkin, shredded carrots, applesauce, and even zucchini.
7. Sweet Potato Chews
Sweet potatoes do wonders for our furry friends. They keep their teeth clean, support gut health, and are chock full of vitamins and minerals. That’s why they make such a nutritious snack! You literally only need a few sliced sweet potatoes for a chewy snack your dog will love.
8. Chicken and Rice Balls
Hang on—we’re not done with sweet potatoes yet. With a bit of added chicken and rice, this trio is the ultimate blend of nutrients and protein. Combine everything in a bowl and dip them in low-sodium chicken broth for proper consistency. From there, stick ‘em in the oven for about 20 minutes and you’re good to go!
9. Carrot Cookies
We humans wouldn’t put carrots and cookies in the same sentence but dogs live for the combo! Carrots, applesauce, eggs, and broth keep things nice and healthy by providing all sorts of protein. These bites also contain lots of fiber and vitamins, which help keep your pet in tip-top shape.
10. Air-Fried Salmon Jerky
Have you ever wanted a shinier coat for your pooch? Look no further than salmon! Debone and slice a salmon fillet into thin strips. Coat your air fryer with a pinch of olive oil and cook for about 60 minutes on low heat. Your pup will have a healthier coat and a healthier immune system.
Hang on a minute—what about cats? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Let’s jump into ten simple recipes your little critter will love.
1. Carrots and Catnip
Carrots aren’t only beneficial for dogs; they offer plenty of antioxidants and help with weight management in cats as well, so don’t be afraid to whip up this treat. You only need an egg, some flour, shredded carrots, and a bit of catnip.
2. Baked Tuna Treats
When it comes to cat treats, you can’t go wrong with a good can of tuna. It’s packed with protein, has all sorts of vitamins, and can help curb appetite—which spares our ears! You only need two ingredients for this recipe: tuna and an egg. After you blend them, plop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake for approximately 20 minutes and you’re good to go.
3. Spinach and Chicken Bites
Spinach and chicken do enough good for humans, let alone our feline friends! For this recipe, you’ll only need chicken, oats, flour, spinach leaves, and an egg. Mix everything and flatten the dough before cutting it into simple bites. Then bake for 20 minutes and you’re all done.
4. Frozen Broth Lollipops
Who doesn’t love a good purr-psicle in the summer? Simply pour low-sodium broth (or a cat-appropriate homemade variety) into a lollipop mold and freeze until hard. Your cat will appreciate the snack and all the nutrients.
5. Salmon Balls
Need a no-bake option? These easy salmon balls have you covered! Crush some dry cat food and mix it with just enough water to soften. From there, combine a can of cooked salmon and roll everything into bite-sized balls. Like in dogs, salmon promotes a healthy coat and is a good source of omega-3s.
6. Tuna Crackers
Hold your horses—we have another tuna recipe that’s bound to get your cat excited! You’ll need to mix flour, milk, tuna, and one egg in a bowl before flattening the dough into squares (or even cookie-cutter shapes). 10 minutes in the oven is all it takes to get the job done.
7. Catnip Tea
Our furballs deserve a nice mug of tea, so why not brew them something they’ll truly enjoy? To really get their motors running, all you need is catnip and water! Add your leaves to a steeper and pour in boiling water. Then let everything steep for about five minutes before allowing it to cool completely. After that, break out a dainty cup and let them indulge.
8. Cheese and Cornmeal Patties
So long as your cat isn’t lactose intolerant, these cheese and cornmeal patties make a delicious snack in moderation. Combine shredded cheese, flour, tuna, and cornmeal into dough and then roll it onto a baking sheet. Carve out one-inch pieces and then bake everything for about 25 minutes.
9. Sweet Potato Cakes
Did you know that mashed potato, tuna, and flour make the ultimate snack cake? Not only will they drool over their very own baked good, but they’ll consume all kinds of protein, vitamins, and nutrients that boost digestive health.
10. Cat Croutons
Tuna, olive oil, eggs, and dried catnip are all it takes to give your feline friend a yummy treat that’s perfect for snacking! While you probably won’t want to stick these on your salad, cats not only love the taste, but the health benefits as well.
