Did someone say sweets?! October 14th is probably one of the best holidays ever, as it is National Dessert Day! You're likely wondering how this can be veterinary-related, as your pets can't safely eat sweets...or can they? Just like you and me, dogs and cats love sweet things (which is why you get the hairy eyeball every time you eat ice cream), and, thankfully, there are some ways that your pets can get in on this dessert holiday safely and sweetly. Below, we share with you a few super easy treat recipes that will have your pets begging for more while still being nutritious options for your cat or dog.
1. Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt Bites
Pumpkin for your pumpkin? Absolutely! You might have heard before that pumpkin is excellent for combatting an upset tummy in dogs and cats with diarrhea. But in this case, it'll just be because it's tasty!
Here is the ingredients list for Frozen Yogurt Bites For Pets:
- 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
- ½ cup of canned pure pumpkin*
- *Make sure it is 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling might contain xylitol
- ¼ cup of water
Mix everything together and pour into an ice cube tray. If you want to be in the fall spirit, you can get this cool pumpkin ice cube tray off of Amazon. Next, leave the trays in the freezer for about 3 to 4 hours. Talk about a nutritious treat for your dog or cat!
2. Baked Pumpkin Dog Treats
Next up is another spin on America's favorite gourd. Try these Baked Pumpkin Dog Treats, as they are amazing and will have your pooch wondering who indeed is the good boi. It's them, of course!
The ingredients you’ll need for Baked Pumpkin Dog Treats:
- 1 cup of canned pure pumpkin
- *Make sure it is 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling might contain xylitol
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons of peanut butter*
- *Make sure it does not contain xylitol. 3 cups of flour
Mix all the ingredients together and then once you have your dough, roll gumball-sized balls and line on a baking sheet. You will need to preheat the oven to 350° and cook for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. The best part about these treats is that they are good for about three months if you freeze them after they’re done cooking!
3. Frozen Apple Yogurt Bites
Much like the first recipe, this is a frozen yogurt treat. If you've spent any time scrolling through TikTok, you've likely seen many videos of pets enjoying frosty faves. Who knows why pets love to quite literally chill out, but it's best not to question and simply let them enjoy!
There are only 3 ingredients needed for Frozen Apple Yogurt Bites, which are:
- 2 Apples that are sliced into small pieces*
- *Make sure to remove the seeds and the core
- 1 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt
- A dash of water
You’ll need a blender to get the apples into a liquid state. Once you have reached that type of consistency, pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.
We hope that you use National Dessert Day to spoil your special pets while keeping them safe! If you'd like more ideas for treats that are a bit unconventional, or your pet is perhaps overdue for their next wellness exam, please give us a call.