5 Simple Baked Dog & Cat Treats That You Can DIY at Home

Every pet owner needs treats. Whether it’s for reward-training or simply indulging your fur-baby every once in a while because it makes them so happy, pet treats are readily available at pet stores in Singapore and are always handy to have! Unfortunately, paw-rents also know that these treats are not exactly the healthiest snack for your precious critter.

The solution? Bake your own so that you can control what goes into your pet’s body! All you need is an oven, some simple baking equipment, and these 5 recipes that can be completed within an hour or two.

*Note: The recipes below are for treats only and should not replace your pet’s regular meal plans. Always check with your vet  first about major changes to your pet’s diet.

1. Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Biscuits (Safe for cats too)

Source: Lindsay from My Baking Addiction

Does your dog or cat have tummy issues? If so, pumpkin is an all-natural digestive aid and is easy on their stomachs — making these pumpkin biscuits the perfect treat for your pet!

Ingredients (Makes approx. 24 treats)

• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oats (optional if your dog is on a grain free diet, can substitute with an extra 1/4 cup grain free flour)
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten-free flour
• 3 tablespoons of peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 177°C (350°F).
2. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, and peanut butter until combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
4. Pour onto a floured surface and roll dough out to 1/2″ thick. Cut out using cookie cutter.
5. The dough will be a little sticky, so add a dusting of flour to your hands and the rolling pin to help. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes until golden brown.
6. Place on cooling racks and let cool thoroughly. They will harden as they cool.

Notes

Do not use a pumpkin spice blend or anything that could contain nutmeg. It is toxic to dogs and even in small amounts can make them sick.

Recipe from: My Baking Addiction

2. Salmon & Sweet Potato Soft Dog Treats (Safe for cats too)

Source: kolchakpuggle.com 

Soft, moist, and savoury with a hint of sweetness, this salmon and sweet potato treat is not only sure to impress your pet’s taste buds, but also comes packed with plenty of health benefits. This is thanks to the sweet potato, which is high in dietary fiber, low in fat, and full of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese.

Note: While cats are obligate carnivores and require meat-based diets, they can still enjoy an occasional vegetable or fruit as a treat. Moderation is key.

Ingredients

• 1 can salmon
• 1 medium sweet potato, baked in the skin
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 c. coconut flour
• Coconut oil, as needed to grease the pan or parchment

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 177°C (350°F).
2. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until fluffy.
3. Fold in the coconut flour and salmon.
4. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes while the coconut flour absorbs the mixture.
5. Remove the sweet potato from its skin and mash it until it is smooth.
6. Fold mashed sweet potato.
7. Grease a 9×9 cake pan with coconut oil.
8. Press the mix into your pan.
9. Bake for 60 – 70 minutes until the mixture is firm, edges are golden, and a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Allow to cool before slicing into squares.

Notes

The treats can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 3 months. If you want a crunchy treat, you can bake the treats at 150F again for 3 – 4 hours. The treats are done when they break crisply in half and no moisture remains in the middle. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Recipe from: kolchakpuggle.com

3. Banana-Almond Puppy Treats (Safe for cats too)

Source: Sarah Dickerson | Chic Sprinkles

If your pet has a sweet tooth and prefers fruits to vegetables, these banana almond treats might be a hit with your furry friend. Soft and chewy, these will taste like miniature banana bread cookies!

Note: The ingredients cinnamon and banana are not toxic to cats and dogs if consumed in moderate amounts according to their weight and size. Please make sure to limit the consumption of these treats and consult your vet before feeding if unsure.

Ingredients

• 1 organic pasture raised egg
• 3/4 cup unsalted almond butter
• 1/3 of an organic banana
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 177°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Use a fork to mash the banana in a medium/large bowl. Once mashed, add in the rest of the ingredients and mix together with a fork until blended. The batter consistency should be very thick and gooey — this will not resemble your normal treat dough.
3. Spoon out dime-sized dollops onto your parchment paper and place in the oven for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, turn the pan and bake for another 5 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and let cool. These should last for approximately 5 – 7 days.

Recipe from: prettyfluffy.com

4. Chewy Cat Treats

Source: joythebaker.com

Cats require protein-based diets, so here are some protein-based treats as well! Made with egg and a meat-based baby food that can be replaced with your very own special ingredient – such as their favourite canned wet food — these will be your kitty’s very own customised treats.

Note: To make this treat dog-friendly, simply substitute the canned wet food for cats with one that is meant for dogs.

Ingredients (Makes about 50 small treats)

• 1 large egg
• 1 4-oz jar of chicken and brown rice baby food (or something meaty which may include canned wet cat food)
• 1/4 cup parsley, coarsely chopped
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup cooked white (or brown) rice
• 1 tablespoon of catnip or a hearty tablespoon of extra wet cat food (optional for cats)

Directions

1. Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 163°C (325°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, baby food (or wet cat food), parsley, olive oil,  and water. Add brown rice flour and cooked rice. Stir to incorporate until the mixture is thick but spreadable.
3. Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet, creating a rectangle that is about 1/3 of an inch thick. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and let rest until cool enough to handle, then slice soft dough into bite-sized pieces.
5. Return pieces to the oven to bake for another 8 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Recipe from: joythebaker.com