• For the Dog Lover in You!

Summertime Dog Treats That Will Nourish Your Dog

on August 10, 2019

With summer in full swing, the heat is on! While being overheated isn’t really my thing, one of the best things about summer is the abundance of fruit. Growing up our Poodle use to play with me out in the garden while I picked things for that evening’s dinner meal. I’d give her a little something from the garden every now and then. Mainly she liked green beans, strawberries, and blueberries. Oddly enough those are foods that I feed my dogs now as an adult! Berries are glorious in the summer - juicy and full of healthy goodness. Since it’s summer and berries are readily available we thought we’d give you some berry recipes that will nourish your dog.

Are Berries Good For Dogs?

In the right amount, berries can be super healthy for dogs. If you think back to ancestral dogs they hunted and foraged for their food. So, while berries, and fruit in general, aren’t something that canines eat a lot of, a little will go a long way. Berries are a great fruit for your dog, and in general have:

  • Antioxidants
  • Fiber
  • Vitamin C
  • Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals?

These little babies are definitely things you want your dogs to eat. And, you too for that matter. Phyto means plant, and chemicals, well, you know what those are. So literally the chemicals of certain plants, and in this case, berries, protect cells from damage that could potentially lead to cancer.

Image by Alexandr Ivanov from Pixabay

Berry Recipes That Will Nourish Your Dog

You’ll want to get a few things out from your kitchen cupboards for these berry recipes. Dig out your blender, some glass bowls, silicone molds, and a variety of spatulas. Also, a rolling pin, food processor, an oven, and a silicone cookie tray will come in handy. And now here we go!

Strawberries and Cream

6 Strawberries, cored

½ C Kefir

⅛ Tsp Cinnamon

Photo by Kyaw Tun on Unsplash

Directions

Wash and core the strawberries, and then puree in a blender. Add the kefir and blend until both ingredients are mixed together and totally smooth. Once your mix looks like a pink berry milkshake, you know you have the right consistency. Add in the cinnamon and give the blender a few pulses to mix.  Pour mixture into silicone paw or bone molds, place in the freezer for an hour and then serve one to your dog.

What We Like About This Recipe

Kefir is made from goat, cow, or coconut milk. It is loaded with probiotics and helps keep your dog’s gut healthy. Cinnamon is a natural inflammation fighter.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

¼ C Peanut Butter, dog-friendly

¼ C Blueberries

1 Tsp Chia Seeds

1 ½ Tsp Cornstarch or Arrowroot

1 C Rolled Oats, pulverized

1 Egg

1 Tbsp Warm Water

¼ C Peanut Butter, dog-friendly

¼ C Applesauce, sugar-free

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350º  Start the jam first to give it time to thicken and cool. 

To prepare the jam, puree the berries in a mixer. Transfer the puree to a pan over low heat on the stove. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch and stir for a minute or two. When done remove from the oven and place in a bowl with the chia seed stirred in and allow to completely cool.

To make the peanut butter sandwich wedges, place the oats in a food processor and blitz to a powder consistency. Basically, you are making oat flour. Once done, remove the oat flour and set aside. Next, place the peanut butter, applesauce, and eggs into the food processor and quickly pulse to mix together. Pour in small batches, the wet mixed ingredients into the oat flour and stir together. Don’t over mix, but make sure they are blended. Once done, press out or roll out the dough into a silicone cookie tray, about ¼” thick. Score with a knife to the size your dog will enjoy (example: 1” by 1”). Bake for 20 minutes until golden color and slightly crunchy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Once cool break apart where you scored the wedges.

To make the sandwich, take one peanut butter wedge and place a dollop of the homemade blueberry jam on it, and cover with another peanut butter wedge. Viola! Peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the pups!

What We Like About This Recipe

Well, you mean other than we can eat it too? Yes, you can if you like, but know this recipe will not be as sweet as your taste buds would probably like. But they are healthy. Loaded with fiber, and nutritious seeds, as well as one of the most powerful antioxidant-rich berries on the planet. These little guys are heart healthy, and dogs love them.

Photo by Mel Elías on Unsplash

Go Get Your Berries

Now that you have our tasty and healthy berry recipes that will nourish your dog you have to go pick some fruit! Or, if you’re like me, go to a fruit stand and buy pre-picked berries. My dogs enjoy these treats, and I like making them for our dogs. Give one or both and try and let me know what you think. I think they’re berrylicious!

 

SHOP OUR LATEST DESIGNS:

 

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published


BACK TO TOP
Promo box

Someone purchsed a

Product name

info info