Want to make your dog berry happy? Bake up a batch of Strawberry Banana Dog Treats!
I know I’ve been all over the berries the past few weeks, but I want to take advantage of the berry bounty while the picking is good! And if you’re like me, you’ll want to make a batch of my Strawberry Banana Dog Treats. I did a little something extra with these cookies – I was feeling creative, so I decided to decorate them with dog-friendly icing (touched with a pink hue). With or without the icing, your dog will think these treats are berry delicious!
Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
You bet they can! In fact, along with blueberries, strawberries are some pretty fantabulous nutritional boosts for your doggo. Just like blueberries, strawberries are full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are good for your dog because they neutralize the effects of chronic inflammation your dog may suffer. Antioxidants are great for any dog but especially for dogs who may suffer from any type of chronic inflammatory condition.
Strawberries also are full of Vitamin C and they’re high in fiber. Why is that good? Well, Vitamin C is great for helping strengthen your dog’s immune system and fiber is what keeps things moving through your dog’s digestive system. Good fiber will help your dog absorb the nutrients he’s supposed to from the food he eats, and that means he’s healthier overall. Plus, good fiber will ensure that his colon is clean and his poop is perfectly scoopable becuase it’ll be just the right consistency. As an added bonus, strawberries have an enzyme in them that will help keep your dog’s teeth whiter. Strawberries can be a lot of sugar, though, even good sugar, so that’s why including them in recipes where they are balanced with other ingredients.
Speaking of other ingredients…
Why do dogs go bananas for bananas?
Aside from the fact that dogs find them delectible, banansa are full of dietary fiber, potassium, Vitamins B6 and C and magnesium. Consider them sort of a super food, if you will. They can help a doggo’s upset tummy (think of the BRAT diet for humans: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast) and they can even give a dog some low-calorie energy boosting if you’ve got an older pup who’s starting to feel his age. Lots of dog pawrents freeze banana slices and toss to their pups so they can avoid salty or fatty treats and dogs think they’re being spoiled rotten when they do!
Peanut Butter Is Health Food?
You bet it is. Sort of, at least! It’s loaded with protein, healthy fats and Niacin. The importance of protein is key. It’s what your dog needs for healthy muscles and a healthy immune system.
More, peanut butter has tons of fats. But not the “Does this peanut butter make my butt look fat?” fats. No, the healthy fats that your dog needs for a well-balanced skin and a shiny, maintained coat. They also help keep his brain nice and agile, which is important when you’re guarding the house from falling leaves!
Just make sure when buying and including peanut butter, you don’t buy any or give any with xylitol to your dog! Xylitol can be lethal for your dog.
Don’t forget Niacin, which breaks sugars and fats down and turns them into energy. It’s also good for your dog’s gut, and good gut health is key to good overall health.
So not only are these treats yummy, they’re almost like a health food. We said, almost, so do be sure that you still remember these are TREATS and give accordingly!
Strawberry Banana Dog Treat Recipe
Makes 30-40 cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ cup corn meal
¼ oat flour
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 banana
1 cup strawberries
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a blender or food processor, add banana and strawberries, and puree until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flours, wheat germ and corn meal.
- Add coconut oil and peanut butter to dry mix and stir well.
- Add fruit puree and combine into dough. Use your hands to knead the dough – it should be moist but not sticky. Add water is dough it too dry, or flour is too moist.
- Place dough onto a flour dusted surface. Roll or press dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place on cookie sheets.
- Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Take cookies out of oven and let cool on cooling racks. Store in air tight container in refrigerator or freezer.
This time around, I got to break out my special Paw It Forward cookie cutter! If you want one of your own, you can buy it for $5 via their online store.
FAQs
Puree the whole eggs with minced chicken, carrots, olive oil and tapioca flour. Pour the mixture into the baking moulds. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Let the dog treats cool before it's time for dog training.
What's a high value treat for a dog? ›
High value rewards are highly palatable and dogs enjoy the experience of eating them. They will be very keen to get their reward and will work hard for it. Examples of high value treats include: Chunks of meat like chicken or lamb.
How to make the best frozen dog treats? ›
Simply layer peanut butter in the bottom half of ice cube trays, ice pop molds, or paper cups. Then top off with a layer of yogurt or meat broth and freeze. Pop the layered frozen treat out of the tray or mold or peel off the paper cup before serving.
What are the healthiest dog treats? ›
11 Healthy, Natural Treats for Dogs in Your Kitchen
- Watermelon. ...
- Cooked Sweet Potatoes. ...
- Bananas. ...
- Broccoli. ...
- Cooked Squash. ...
- Strawberries. ...
- Blueberries. ...
- You Should Know… When trying out new treats for your dog, it's always best to start with small portions and see how your dog's GI tract responds.
Peanut butter dog treats with honey
Combine whole wheat flour, peanut butter, honey, an egg, baking powder and some water. Roll out the dough, cut cookies and bake for 20 minutes.
How much can you make selling homemade dog treats? ›
If you just want to run a fun-but-profitable hobby, you can easily earn $500 to $1,000 a month with a dog treat bakery as a side hustle. At this level, you can do all of the work yourself in just a few hours a week. If you have kids, you can also have them pitch in. A dog treat bakery is a great family business!
What is the most irresistible dog treat? ›
Treats made from real meat, such as chicken, beef, or turkey, are often highly appealing to dogs. They provide a savory flavor and a satisfying texture. Examples include jerky treats, meaty sticks, and dehydrated meat treats.
What is the most profitable dog to sell? ›
The French Bulldog
The reason as to why they are expensive and on demand is because they hardly reproduce naturally. On the market, a French bulldog can fetch up to $8,000. The main challenge a breeder faces with these dogs is their production is unpredictable and it requires a lot of capital to get started.
Can too many dog treats be bad? ›
Giving your dog too many snacks is definitely the way to put unhealthy weight on your dog that it does not need. Weight issues often lead to additional health issues. Finally, keep in mind that when it comes to treats, less is better. Try not to let your dog trick you into giving him more than he should have.
Is it better to freeze dry or dehydrate dog treats? ›
Winner: Freeze Dried Dog Treats
Due to the flash freezing process, more nutrients are locked in making freeze dried dog treats the more nutritious treat option. It is thought that dehydrated treats do lose some of its nutritional value during the slow heating process.
Airtight containers
And if, as I do, you use preserve jars, leave the lid popped open for a while before sealing. Providing they are fully dried out, most dog treats will happily keep in an airtight container for a couple of months. Always keep an eye on them though, just in case.
Are strawberries good for dogs? ›
Yes, dogs can eat strawberries. Strawberries are full of fiber and vitamin C. Along with that, they also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog's teeth as he or she eats them. Like all fruits, strawberries contain natural sugar, so offer them in moderation.
Are Cheerios good for dogs? ›
They won't harm your dog, but they don't provide much benefit either. Cheerios are made from mostly whole-grain oats, which provide no essential component of your pet's diet. As a result, mass-produced Cheerio treats function only as filler—they're just empty calories when dogs need a high-energy diet.
Are homemade treats better for dogs? ›
Homemade dog treats, especially when made with my Bake & Treat dog treat baking mixes, are infinitely healthier than commercial dog treats. They contain only 100% natural ingredients. They don't have an extended shelf-life so they don't contain unhealthy preservatives.
What meat is best for dog treats? ›
Cooked lean meat
In addition to being gentle on most stomachs, chicken is filled with omega-6 fatty acids which help to promote healthy skin and coat. Salmon is sometimes fed as a healthy dog treat as it's full of omega-3 fatty acids.
Can you sell dog treats made at home? ›
The making and selling of nutritious, homemade dog treats is an ideal business that you can run from your home. It falls within the category of a pet food business, however, and this means that you will need to comply with a series of rules and regulations to operate it legally.
Is it cheaper to make your own dog treats? ›
Easy Homemade Dog Treats are made with just 3 ingredients! All it takes is banana, peanut butter, and oats and you can make these cute cookies for your pup, or for a doggy friend of yours. Not only are these easy to make, but they are so much more affordable than store-bought treats and dogs LOVE them!
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