3 Simple No-Cook Treats for Dogs
Making treats for dogs can be fun and easy. You can make super healthy and delicious treats even with few ingredients. Here are three easy-to-make, no-cook treats that you can feed your dog to reward them for good behavior or to simply show them your love:
1. Coconut balls
Like humans, dogs can enjoy the nutritional and hypoallergenic properties of coconut and coconut oil. The peanut butter adds flavor and the bread crumbs bind everything together. Coconut is non-toxic to dogs but can cause bloating, and you should, thus, use it in moderation.
- Ingredients
Plain peanut butter – 1/2 cup
Whole wheat bread crumbs – 1/2 cup
Natural, unsweetened coconut flour or shredded coconut – one cup
Coconut oil – one teaspoon - How to prepare
Add all the ingredients to a clean bowl and mix well with a large spatula. Then make balls in whatever size you want. For example, if you have a Labrador, you can make medium-sized balls that they will gulp down in a few seconds. If you have a smaller breed, then make tinier coconut balls that they can chew easily.
2. Pumpkin balls
Pumpkin has plenty of health benefits for your dog, because it is full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Add this to their diet to soothe and regulate their digestive system. Pumpkin provides relief from both diarrhea and constipation; it lets your canine enjoy a healthy gut and robust immune system.
- Ingredients
Pumpkin puree – one cup
Peanut butter – 1/2 cup
Cinnamon – 1 pinch
Oats – two cups
Grated cheddar – one cup
Bacon – 1/2 cup - How to prepare
Add everything except the bacon and oats to a large bowl and give it a good mix. Then add the oats and bacon little by little and combine all the ingredients. Make whatever shapes you desire out of this mixture, arrange them on a plate neatly, and refrigerate for two hours before feeding the balls to your dog.
3. Fruity iced popsicles
This easy no-cook dog treat is excellent for dogs, especially when the weather is hot. All you need is a few seasonal fruits of your choice and some thick yogurt. Go for organic, Greek yogurt to make the treat healthier.
- Ingredients
Watermelon – two cups
Strawberries – one cup
Raspberries – one cup
Yogurt – two cups - How to prepare
Wash, cut, and deseed the watermelon, strawberries, and raspberries. Add all the fruits to a mixer jar and mash them thoroughly. Now add in the yogurt and combine everything in a blender once again. Then pour this delicious, vibrant fruit-yogurt medley into a popsicle tray and freeze for about six hours before feeding it to your pup.
Remember: however easy and tasty these no-cook treats are, they are just treats. Balanced meals should not be substituted for treats, which should be offered to your dog frugally. Also, always consult a vet before introducing any new ingredient into your pup’s diet.