How to Make Your Own Healthy Pet Treats (that your dog will actually want to eat!)

Anyone who has watched their dog spit out a ‘healthy’ biscuit, or had their cat turn their nose up at an organic artisan chew will know that pets can be surprisingly, and annoyingly fussy, especially when these healthier treat alternatives can come with a steeper price tag.

The unhealthy snacks are often the tastiest, so balancing nutrition and taste can be one of the difficult parts of making your own treats, but fear not; with a base recipe for the main treat, and room to pick and choose toppings and fillers that are your pets favourite, homemade treats can be tailored to the tastebuds of each and every pet who samples them, so whether you will be using these treats for training and rewarding, or for added health and nutrition, this blog post is dedicated to making your own healthy pet treats that your dog will actually want to eat.

Protein Treats

These Chicken protein treats are easy to make and offer a little boost of protein too! One of the main advantages of chicken is that it is a high-quality source of protein. Dogs need protein to build and repair muscles, maintain healthy skin and fur, and support normal body functions. Chicken contains essential amino acids that help keep dogs strong and active, it is relatively low in fat compared to other meats – not to mention it’s really tasty!

o 1 cup of unseasoned and shredded cooked chicken

o 1 egg

o 1 cup of porridge oats

o 1 tbsp of chicken fat (olive oil works just as well)

o A splash of water

· Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)

· Combine all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until they form a dough

· On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a thickness of around 1cm, then using cookie cutters, cut the dough into shapes of your choosing (we’ve heard that bone shaped treats are extra tasty!)

· Put them on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25minutes

· Allow them to cool before your friend digs in

Anti-Inflammatory Sardine Bites

While they may be a little bit smelly, Sardines are a great source of Omega-3s, which help with joint pain, arthritis and skin allergies, but it is important to avoid raw, smoked or salted sardines as these can be harmful.

o 1 tin of sardines (drained thoroughly)

o 1 egg

o ¾ cup of blitzed oats (or oat flour)

o 1tbsp parsley (finely chopped to help freshen their breath)

· Preheat your oven to 180°C or 160°C fan

· In a large bowl, mash up the sardines then add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly

· With a teaspoon of the mixture, roll into a little ball or cube shape (wetting your hands with cold water will help prevent the mix from sticking to you)

· Bake for 18-20minutes until golden and firm to the touch

· Allow the treats to cool completely before your friend does a taste test

Antioxidant Kale and Sweet Potato Chews

Kale and sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants that have many detoxification benefits, and these chewy treats are ideal for adding some undercover healthiness that even the fussiest of friends would find hard to refuse!

o 1 sweet potato (peeled and thinly slice into thin discs)

o 1tbsp of kale (finely chopped)

o 1tbsp of coconut oil

· Preheat oven to 150 °C

· Toss the sweet potato discs in the kale and coconut oil then lay them flat on a lined baking tray

· Bake for one hour, then flip all of the discs and bake for another hour

· Allow to cool slightly before using a cookie cutter to cut in to your preferred shape, then allow them to cool fully and enjoy

Peanut Butter and Banana Biscuits

Sometimes even the healthiest of us need a little sweet treat indulgence, and our four-legged friends are no different! These sweet treats are super simple and can be made with store cupboard essentials you most likely will already have! It is however important to remember to choose a dog-safe peanut butter that needs to be xylitol-free as well as free from added sugar and salt.

o 1 ripe banana (mashed)

o 120g natural peanut butter

o 150g blitzed oats (or oat flour)

· Preheat your oven to 150°C (160°C fan)

· In a large mixing bowl, combine the banana and peanut butter until its smooth

· Add in the blended oats and mix until a dough forms

· On a floured surface, roll the dough out to around 1cm thickness and using cookie cutters, cut into your preferred shape

· Lay them on a lined baking tray and bake for 15-20minutes until they are firm on the outside but still soft in the centre

· Allow to cool completely before your friend gives one a go

Superfood Apple Coins

Apples are high in fibre and vitamin C. They have a natural antihistamine effect and are a tasty treat!

o 1 small apple (peeled, cored and grated)

o 1 egg

o 150g of blitzed oats (or oat flour)

o A splash of water if needed

· Preheat your oven to 170°C (150°C fan)

· In a large mixing bowl, mix together the apple and egg

· Gradually add the blended oats until a soft dough forms

· Roll the dough in to small balls and then using the back of a tablespoon, flatten them into little coins

· Place on a lined baking tray and bake for 20-25minutes until they have set but are still soft

· You know the drill by now; allow them to fully cool before quality control checks can begin!

There are hundreds of recipes out there for you to try, and if you like the sound of some of these, but your dog cannot have any of the ingredients due to allergies or preferences, or if you want to add even more goodness to the goodies, the following information might be of interest to you;

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Omega 3 rich foods are full of fatty acids that have the most effective natural anti-inflammatory properties. They are great for easing joint pain, arthritis and skin allergies and can be readily found in sardines in water not salt, full cooked, de-boned and unseasoned salmon, mackerel and anchovies. It is important to remember to avoid raw fish, and anything smoked or salted, and to be as thorough as possible when removing bones to ensure your dog doesn’t accidently ingest any.

Seeds offer plant based Omega-3s that support skin, coat and gut health and can be found in flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds. It is important to use ground not whole flaxseeds, as whole seeds pass undigested, and to only feed them in small amounts due to their high fibre content.

Berries contain Polyphenols that reduce inflammatory markers and reduce oxidative stress (the imbalance between unstable oxygen-containing molecules and antioxidants in the body). Berries that are great for a dog’s health include blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and (in small amounts) raspberries.

Vegetables are rich in carotenoids, vitamin C and phytonutrients. They support eye health, immune functions, skin and coat quality, benefit dogs prone to high stress and joint issues, as well as providing immune boosting health benefits. Some vegetables that are great for anti-inflammation include sweet potato, plain and fully cooked pumpkin, carrots, small portions of broccoli, small amounts of spinach and kale, and red bell peppers.

There are also some fruits that are packed with anti-inflammatory compounds. These include apples without the seeds and core, mango without the pip and watermelon

without the seeds or rind. These fruits can reduce allergy symptoms, support healthy heart functions and they are particularly helpful with osteosarcoma treatments.

Antioxidant Foods

Whilst being great for anti-inflammatory, Berries are also antioxidant powerhouses. They improve cognitive functions and heart health, benefit dogs with high stress and joints issues, support gut health and weight management and help to regulate bowel movements and blood clotting. It Is important to only serve fresh or frozen berries and to avoid canned berries as these contains a lot of sugars and preservatives, but some good options to give your friend are blueberries, strawberries, raspberries (in small amounts), blackberries and fresh cranberries.

Vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, plain and fully cooked pumpkin, small amounts of spinach, sparing amounts of kale, small portions of broccoli and red bell peppers, are full of antioxidants that improve immune functions, eye health, skin and coat quality and are particularly high in detoxification benefits that are helpful to dogs with high stress, joint issues or who are fighting cancer.

Fruit like apples with no seeds or core, mango with no pips, watermelon with no seeds or rinds and bananas are effective at reducing allergy symptoms, inflammation, benefit dogs with high stress and joint issues, supports vision, immune function, skin health, heart health, muscle function and nerve impulses.

There are also other antioxidant sources like small amounts of chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, plain and cooked eggs and sardines in water and not salt that are also great for reducing inflammation, overall health and promoting normal bodily functions.

Superfoods

Blueberries are extremely high in antioxidants, particularly beneficial to senior dogs as they support brain health and are low in calories.

Sardines are rich in Omega-3s, have high anti-inflammatory properties and they support joint, skin, coat and heart health.

Eggs, when fully cooked are a complete protein that are great for eye health and muscle maintenance.

Pumpkin is excellent for gut health and aiding digestion whilst promoting immune strength, vision, skin and coat health.

Carrots are a low-calorie crunchy snack that are great for dental care and promoting immune strength, vision, skin and coat health.

Sweet potatoes are high in fibre, rich in antioxidants and are a slow burning energy source.

Apples are high in fibre, vitamin C and have a natural antihistamine effect.

Chia seeds are high in Omega-3s and fibre and help to support skin health and digestion.

Broccoli contains sulforaphane which is a cell protecting compound and is high in vitamin C.

Bone Broth is full of collagen to support healthy joints, gut supportive bacteria and encourages hydration.

Raw Foods

Lean muscle meats like chicken, turkey, beef and lamb are an essential primary protein source. They provide amino acids for healthy muscle and immune functions and are high in enzymes, iron and B vitamins.

Raw meaty bones like chicken necks, turkey necks or beef femur bones are a natural and balanced source of calcium and phosphorous. They support dental health and are full of minerals.

Hearts, like beef or lamb, are rich in taurine, which is critical for dog’s heart health. While they are technically a high-quality muscle meat, hearts are nutritionally special as they are jam packed with CoQ10 support.

Liver from beef, lamb and chickens are vitamin powerhouses. They are high in copper, iron, vitamin A and B and essential micro-nutrients. Liver is very nutrient dense, and it is recommended to only make up 5% of a dog’s diet, making it ideal for a tasty treat or reward.

Secreting organs like the kidneys, spleen and pancreas are high in zinc, selenium, vitamin E and important trace minerals.

Oily fish, like sardines, mackerel and salmon are packed with EPA’s and DHA’s; the essential anti-inflammatory Omega-3s that support the skin, joints, brain and heart.

Whole raw eggs with crushed shells are a complete protein. They are full of choline for brain support and are packed with biotin and calcium.

Heart Health Foods

Sardines in water not salt are rich in Omega-3s, anti-inflammatory properties and support joint, skin, coat and heart. They are a great anti-inflammatory and support heart rhythm and blood vessel health. They are recommended to be fed 1-3 times per week.

Salmon, when fully cooked, is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, supports circulation and reduces inflammation. It is important to never feed raw salmon and to avoid seasoning.

Beef or lamb heart is naturally high in taurine. It supports heart muscle function and is rich in CoQ10 and is especially beneficial for breeds like Dobermans and Great Danes.

Fully cooked eggs are a complete protein. They contain selenium and choline and are particularly beneficial to supporting heart muscles.

Blueberries are a powerful antioxidant. They help to reduce oxidative stress on the heart tissues and are great for senior dogs.

Spinach, when fed in small amounts, is packed full of magnesium, potassium and antioxidants that are especially useful for vascular health.

Broccoli, when fed in small portions, is high in vitamin C, fibre and plant antioxidants that are all great for heart health.

When fed without seeds or core, apples are high in quercetin that supports circulation and fibre to help maintain a healthy weight.

Ground flaxseeds are a plant-based Omega-3 that is high in fibre for cholesterol support. It is recommended to feed between ¼ - 1 teaspoon, depending on the size of the dog.

Plain Greek yoghurt is packed full of protein and probiotics that support gut health to impact and fight overall inflammation.

There are so many human foods out there that are not only dog-friendly but are super beneficial to their health. We would always recommend consulting with your vet before making extreme changes to your dog’s diet, however, when any of these foods are given in small quantities, or are incorporated into a homemade treat they can have great benefits too, so get baking, channel your inner Paw-l Hollywood and have fun!