Homemade Canine Treats Archives - EquiGroomer Horse and Pet Tools

The holidays aren’t just for humans! Our furry (and not-so-furry) companions deserve some festive cheer too! As you plan your festivities and menus, do not forget to include your favorite dog, cat or horse!

Why homemade? Homemade treats are healthier and cheaper than commercially made treats and you can be assured there is no added:

Sugar.
Fat.
Fillers; or
Artificial flavors or preservatives.

Now, that’s a win-win for you and your four-legged friends! And the best part? These recipes fill your kitchen with cozy holiday smells, and your pets will love being part of the festive fun!

So let’s get started!

Large white horse walking in the snow in the woods wearing a holiday wreath — *White Horse in Snowy Woods Wearing a Holiday Wreath*

Holiday Treats: Horses

Let’s start with some tried and true treat recipes from Lord Nelson from the Rutgers Equine Science Center in New Jersey for that favorite horse in your life.

Lord Nelson’s Pumpkin, Spice, and Everything Nice Holiday Treat!

Ingredients

4 cups whole oats *
1 can pumpkin
2 cups water
2 tsp. baking powder
1 ¾ cup flour
2 tsp cinnamon

* Note: Oats have a high glycemic index, meaning they are high in sugar.
If your horse is sensitive to sugar, replace the oats with crushed/rolled barley.)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Thoroughly mix the pumpkin and water.
Add the dry ingredients to the mixture.
Drop the mixture by the spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes and cool completely before feeding.

Want a no-bake, healthy horse treat?

Three cats in a red Christmas Sleigh in Holiday Costumes — *Three Cats Dressed in Holiday Costumes Sitting in a Red Sleigh*

Holiday Treats: Cats

It’s widely known that most cats adore the strong smell and taste of fish, including salmon and tuna! Fish also provides essential protein and omega-3 fatty acids for even the most finicky feline!

Salmon Snowballs
Tempt your feline with homemade salmon “snowballs” made from canned salmon, a bit of cooked egg, and breadcrumbs rolled into irresistible, bite-sized treats.

Tuna Snowballs (Source: VivaPets.com)
Combine one can of tuna (including the liquid), 1 cup of cooked rice, one tablespoon of melted coconut oil, and ¼ cup of chopped parsley. Roll into small balls and freeze. Take out enough for 3 days as they will last about this long if kept refrigerated.

Refer to our “DIY Pet Treats for Dogs, Cats and Horses” for more treat ideas!

Large white dog dressed up as Santa — *A Large White Dog Dressed in a Santa Outfit*

Holiday Treats: Dogs

How about a festive twist on a K9 classic (peanut butter!) by adding dog-friendly ginger? Research shows fresh ginger (in moderation) can help reduce inflammation and an upset stomach (sound familiar?) while providing valuable antioxidant benefits, especially for dogs with allergies! (Source: PrettyFluffy.com)

Note: Regular ginger snaps are unsafe for dogs because of the high fat and sugar content! Make these homemade treats instead!

Peanut Butter and Ginger Snaps

Ingredients

2 Cups Almond Flour
1/2 Cup Coconut Flour
1/2 – 3/4 Cup Natural Peanut Butter (NO xylitol!)
3 Tablespoons Ground Ginger
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1/4 Cup Water

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and form a ball with the dough.
Roll the dough out and use your favorite cookie cutter to cut out the individual treats. (Even a small shot glass will work great!)
Place onto a cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, turn the oven off and leave the treats in the oven for 45 more minutes or until crisp.
Cool completely before feeding.

Looking for more holiday pet treats? Refer to our earlier blog post here.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s a wagging tail, a satisfied meow, or a happy whinny, these holiday treats are guaranteed to make all your pets feel loved and spoiled during the holidays!

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They also make GREAT Stocking Stuffers for all the pet people in your life!

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According to CNN, people are spending more time in the kitchen during the coronavirus pandemic for old-fashioned, homemade comfort! Be sure to include your pet with these healthy, DIY Pet Treats below!

Whether your pet is a dog, cat or horse, keep reading to find the perfect DIY Pet Treat recipe below with human-grade and healthy ingredients for the fraction of the cost of commercial treats! We promise you will be rewarded with purrs, licks and nudges!

Homemade Treats for Horses

Carrots, apples and oats, oh my! What could be better for your horse than all his favorite foods in one treat?! Add some beneficial flax seed (high in Omega-3 fatty acids) for an irresistible treat that will also improve their coat!

Homemade Flax Horse Treats

1 cup ground flax seed

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded apple

2 cups quick oats

1-1/2 cups molasses

¾ cup water

½ cup brown sugar

Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients together. More (or less) water may be needed depending on the consistency, it should be sticky. If it is too dry, add more water, a little at a time. If it is too runny, add some more flaxseed and rolled oats until the mixture sticks together.

Grease 2 cookie sheets. Using a spoon, make balls, about 2” wide and place on the greased cookie sheet. You can put them close together (but not touching) because they will not increase in size.

Bake the cookies at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes.

Allow them to cool before removing from the cookie sheets and place them on a cooling rack or plate to thoroughly cool before feeding.

Find more horse treat recipes on these links:

Need some more inspiration for your human family?

Check out what others are creating on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #CoronavirusCooking!

Homemade Treats for Cats

Sardines are incredibly healthy for cats (and dogs). They are high in protein, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and a variety of beneficial minerals including calcium, copper, iron and more. Preferably use sardines packed in water with no salt and share with Fido too!

Meow Yummy Sardine Treats (no bake!)

2 flat cans of sardines (do not drain)

2/3 cup cooked rice

1 tablespoon pureed liver

¼ cup chopped parsley

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Shape into balls of desired size or simply spoon into a dish to serve. May be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen.

Find more cat treat recipes on these links:

Homemade Treats for Dogs

Do you love gummy bears or other gummy candies? Time to share with your dog with this quick recipe with just TWO ingredients!

Chicken Gummy Paws Dog Treat Recipe (no bake!)

1 cup chicken or beef stock (low sodium)

2 tablespoons or packets of unflavored gelatin

In a small pot, bring the stock to a boil. Remove the pot from heat and let it cool for 3 minutes.

Whisk in gelatin until no clumps remain. Let the liquid cool off for a few minutes and pour into your favorite silicone molds or ice cube trays.

Refrigerate for several hours until set like Jello.

Want them faster? Put them in the freezer for about 90 minutes. NOTE: If you do freeze the treats, let them thaw before offering to your dog to avoid damaging his teeth.

Store treats in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for a couple of months.

Suggestions: Add mint, parsley, turmeric, pieces of fruit or veggies before refrigerating or freezing.

Find more dog treat recipes on these links:

Once your pet is full and happy with their homemade DIY Pet Treats, it’s the perfect time to groom them with our EquiGroomer grooming tools!

Stress-free, pain-free and injury-free grooming for you and your pet!

Order individual EquiGroomer tools or professional kits for your pet shop or tack shop, by calling 860-573-0604, sending us an email or visiting our website today!