Healthy Dog Treats Your Pup Will Love

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Dogs are family, and that’s why we don’t feed them anything we wouldn’t eat ourselves. Our dogs love us unconditionally, and that’s why we don’t compromise in making treats that are both healthy and delicious. We believe dogs deserve the same quality foods that we do.

When I was a kid, we fed our dog the same meal every day at the same time—a bowl of beef scraps. Mom said that’s what dogs liked because they were carnivores.

But now we all know that dogs are omnivores and can process animal and plant proteins. They can eat a variety of vegetables, grains, herbs and spices. The list of foods that dogs cannot eat seems long (dairy, chocolate, etc) but there are plenty of yummy foods that we can share. Some dog-friendly favorites are peanut butter, cinnamon, apples, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and molasses. And dogs need variety in their diets to get all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy and vibrant.

You can’t always rely on commercially prepared dog treats and dog food to be made from quality ingredients. Often they contain GMO’s and harmful pesticides. The manufacturers cut corners and add cheap fillers to their products. I can recall several dog food recalls lately including an FDA warning that 16 dog food brands may cause heart disease in pets and recalls for salmonella and possible euthanasia drugs.

Treat Your Pup Like Family

Start out by making treats with these human grade ingredients and enjoy a healthier dog and a clean conscience.

Healthy Pumpkin Dog Treats

I found this recipe for homemade dog treats from Food with Feeling, and it uses only healthy, human-grade ingredients. It’s perfect for all the good dogs in your life.

INGREDIENTS

• · 1/2 cup of pureed pumpkin (canned or fresh)
• · 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, softened
• · 4 tablespoons of water, plus more if needed
• · 2 cups of whole wheat flour
• · 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• · 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• · 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
• · 1 egg

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degree F.
2. Mix the pumpkin, softened coconut oil, and water together in a large bowl.
3. Then mix in the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder
4. Mix it a bit and then stir in the egg.
5. Continue to stir until it’s ALL combined. This might take a good minutes and feel free to add a touch more water in order to get all of the mixture into one solid, slightly sticky ball.
6. Once done, roll the dough out on a floured surface to ~1/4 inch thick.
7. Using a cookie cutter, cut out treats. These can be as small or as large as you want them (depending on the size of your dogs. I realize not everyone has giant dogs like me)
8. Place prepared dough treats on a lined/ greased baking sheet and bake for ~30 minutes (depending on size) or until dough has hardened.

Let cool and enjoy your pups excitement!

Chicken Jerky

I give my pup these chicken jerky treats as an alternative to the store-bought raw hides. The jerky is tough and chewy, so it keeps my dog occupied for a while, and the chicken has a good amount of protein, which is good for a dog’s muscle structure.

INGREDIENTS

• · 2 to 4 chicken breasts

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove any excess fat from the chicken. Turn the chicken breast on its side and use a paring knife to slice the chicken breast into 1/8 inch thick strips.
3. Set the strips on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 hours.
4. Check the chicken before removing from the oven. It should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy. Allow the chicken to cool completely before serving.
5. Store the jerky in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Pro Tip: You can substitute sweet potatoes for the chicken in this recipe. Sweet potatoes make a healthy, vegetarian alternative.

Peanut Butter and Yogurt Treats (No Bake) 

Dogs love the taste of peanut butter, and the yogurt in this no-bake recipe adds an extra dose of vitamins and minerals. Just make sure the peanut butter you’re using doesn’t have xylitol listed as an ingredient. This sweetener is toxic for dogs.

INGREDIENTS

• · 1 cup of your favorite organic peanut butter
• · 32-ounce container of organic, unflavored yogurt (do not use sweetened yogurt)

Yield: Approx 1-2 dozen medium sized treats

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt the peanut butter slowly on the stove top or in the microwave.
2. Mix the softened peanut butter with the yogurt in a bowl and pour the mixture into cupcake papers. Place these homemade cupcakes in the freezer until hardened and cooled.

I don’t have time to cook for my kids let alone my dog!

Ok, I hear ya. If your busy schedule keeps you out of the kitchen but you still want to give your dog healthy treats, then just order Riley’s Organic dog treats on Amazon or pick them up at Whole Foods. 

You can TRUST Riley’s Organic

Riley’s Organic treats have never been recalled. When you feed your dog Riley’s, you’re giving them food that is certifiably good—no mysteries, no hidden ingredients, no problems. In fact, each one of the ingredients is something you can eat yourself (not that you should—your dog might get jealous). Let’s give our dogs treats that are so good, we would eat them ourselves!

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