When my husband and I started dating in 2017, we shared six family pets — two cats and one dog in each household. Our parents have only three pets total now, but we still love visiting them — and our families, of course! One of my favorite things to do as content editor is trying new dishes for our recipe spreads. I love experimenting in the kitchen and making themed fare, and that’s not exclusive to food for humans.
May is National Pet Month, and what better way to celebrate than with homemade treats? Owners know their pets best, and making their treats ensures control over what ingredients dogs and cats ingest. When making treats for dogs, make sure to never use products (like some peanut butters and yogurts) that contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. The best practice is to research ingredients before you try any recipes; there are great articles on the American Kennel Club and Purina websites about what human foods are and are not safe for dogs and cats. And, if you don’t have pets but love baking, file some of these recipes away as a gift idea for someone who does.
Howl You Doin’ Biscuits
Ingredients
• 2 cups quick oats
• ¾ cup peanut butter (no sweeteners or preservatives)
• ¾ cup chicken or beef bone broth, no salt added
• 1 egg
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine ingredients in a large bowl until dough forms. Press into a shallow silicone baking mold.
Bake for 25 minutes. Store for up to two weeks in
a resealable container.
An Apple a Day Keeps the Dog-tor Away Pupsicles
Ingredients
• 2 small apples
• 1 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt (no sweeteners or preservatives)
• Water
Directions
Cut up apples, removing seeds and cores. Combine with yogurt and a splash of water in a blender. Process until smooth. Add to molds. Freeze until set. Keep frozen, up to two months.
Paws-itively Produce Packed Treats
Ingredients
• 1 cup sweet potatoes, mashed
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup green peas, frozen
• ¼ cup beef or chicken bone broth, no salt added
Directions
Add ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth. Add more broth to thin, as needed. Pour into molds and freeze until set. Keep frozen, up to eight months.
Bone Appetit Balls
Ingredients
• 1 cup quick oats (or plain white rice, cooked)
• ½ cup mashed sweet potatoes
• ¼ cup peanut butter (no sweeteners or preservatives)
Directions
Mix ingredients and form into balls. If the dough is too wet, add more quick oats. Refrigerate up to one week or freeze for up to three months.
Friends Fur-Ever Pupsicles
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (100% peanuts, no sweeteners or preservatives)
• 1 banana (not overripe)
• 2 cups plain, nonfat Greek yogurt (no sweeteners or preservatives)
Directions
Peel and cut up the banana. Add to a blender or food processor with the yogurt and peanut butter. Blend until creamy. If the mixture looks too thick, add water to dilute. Spread into molds or ice cube trays. Freeze until set. Pop out of molds and keep frozen in a resealable bag or storage container, up to two months.
Note: Bone and paw print silicone baking molds are available on Amazon for less than $10.
Pawsome Pet Treats
Ingredients
• 1 chicken breast
• 1 cup quick oats
• ¼ cup chicken bone broth, no salt added
• 1 egg
Directions
Boil the chicken breast and shred into small pieces. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine ingredients to form dough. Press into a silicone baking mold. Bake for 20 minutes. Refrigerate treats for up to one week or freeze for up to two months.
Tickled Pink Pet Treats
Ingredients
• 6 strawberries
• 4 ounces pure pumpkin (not pie filling)
• 4 ounces chicken bone broth, no salt added
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
Directions
Cut off the strawberry stems and add ingredients to a blender. Pour mixture into molds. Freeze until set. Keep frozen, up to six months.
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