My favorite recipes are the recipes that require little to no prep and avoid a messy kitchen. My friends and family (and my dogs) know me as the crockpot queen, but I'm all for a super simple DIY dog treat recipe any day. You can make no-bake treats practically anywhere - they don't require an oven or any crazy tools, and the steps are easy to follow. You can also scale the size of the treats themselves, or the batch if you're cooking for two (or three, or four...). Ready in an hour or less, these pup bites will last for about a week in the refrigerator, or up to 30 days in the freezer to ensure maximum yum-factor.
In addition to those awesome benefits, with DIY treats, you know exactly what ingredients are going into your pups body. You are in control. You don't need to worry about whatever artificial colors, sweeteners, or dyes they're loading up store-bought dog treats with nowadays. No more standing in the aisle and Googling if the scientifically-named ingredient is good or bad for your dog - you can feed these treat bites to your pup with confidence!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Pure pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (Xylitol-free)
- 2 1/2 cups Organic old-fashioned oats
- Optional: 1/4 cup Honey and/or a pinch of cinnamon.
- Optional: 1/4 cup Plain greek yogurt
Instructions:
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Stir well until well-combined. For smoother treats, you can crush the oats first.
- Spoon out small amounts of the mixture and roll them into 1" balls. Pro tip: Use a cookie scoop instead of a spoon and you'll start with much rounder balls!
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and organize the treats onto it.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until they are firm.
- Once they're firm and aren't malleable, remove the treats from the tray and store them in an airtight container. Then, store them in the refrigerator and they will last up to 1 week!
Always keep in mind that treats should only be a small portion of your dogs diet, so be sure to feed in moderation! Consult your vet if your pup has any dietary needs, and monitor your pup whenever trying new ingredients in case of an allergic reaction.