For "dog and cat lovers," seeing their four-legged friends happily chew treats is pure joy. However, buying treats frequently can strain your wallet and raise concerns about sodium content. Today, we invite you to channel your inner chef and make "DIY pet treats" that are fresh, safe, and preservative-free. Let's see which recipes suit dogs and which will please cats.
1. Chewy Sweet Potato Dental Snack
This recipe is suitable for: Dogs
Designed especially for chewers, the chewy texture helps clean dogs' teeth effectively. Cats usually dislike large vegetable pieces or foods that require long chewing, so this treat is best for dogs.
Ingredients: 1-2 sweet potatoes (washed). To prepare, slice the sweet potato lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices or sticks. Wash thoroughly; peeling is optional.
Place in an air fryer or oven at 120°C for about 2-3 hours. Let cool completely, then store in a container for your dog to chew on leisurely, naturally reducing tartar buildup.
2. Chicken Breast and Pumpkin Cookies
This recipe is suitable for: Dogs
Dogs enjoy crunchy textures that are fun to chew, like a big reward with plenty of protein. Cats can eat this if ground into small pieces, but the hard, crispy texture might not suit their preference.
Simple ingredients include 1 cup boiled chicken breast, 1/2 cup steamed pumpkin, 1 egg, and 1 cup finely ground oat flour.
Start by blending the chicken and pumpkin until smooth. Mix in the egg and oat flour, kneading until you can form a dough. Roll out the dough and cut into cute shapes using cookie cutters. Bake at 180°C for 15-20 minutes until the treats are firm and crispy.
3. Tuna Bites
This recipe is suitable for: Cats and Dogs
This treat has an irresistibly appetizing aroma, a favorite especially among cats because of its fishy smell that stimulates appetite. Dogs will also eagerly come for a share when they smell it. Suitable for both pets.
Ingredients needed: 1 can of tuna packed in water, 1 egg, and a small amount of rice flour or finely ground breadcrumbs.
Drain the water and mash the tuna finely. Mix in the egg and flour, then form small bite-sized balls suitable for cats. Bake or air fry at 170°C for about 10-12 minutes. Let cool, then store in the refrigerator.
4. Frozen Yogurt Berry Cups
This recipe is suitable for: Dogs
A popular cooling treat that dogs especially enjoy. Ingredients: natural low-fat, sugar-free yogurt and berries such as strawberries or blueberries. Cut the fruit into small pieces, fill ice cube trays or small cups with yogurt, add the fruit pieces, then freeze until solid. Serve to your dog to lick and cool down on hot days.