All About That Cake
If you are anything like us, you like treating your pup to a delicious baked good from time to time. There are numerous bakeries that cater to our furry friends, making everything from baked bone cookies, granola balls, cupcakes and birthday cakes, breath freshener bars, frozen treats... the list goes on and on. But! Did you know that most pup approved treats are easy to make in your own kitchen? Not only do they usually call for a minimal amount of ingredients, making your own gives you the opportunity to know EXACTLY what you are feeding your pets. We gathered a few fun recipes for you to try at home, lets us know what your pup thought in the comments! Bon Appetite!
1. PUMPKIN CARROT "PUPCAKES"
I don't know about you, but dogs around here love anything pumpkin flavored. If you look at the nutritional information for one cup of cooked pumpkin (USDA Nutritional Database), you can see that pumpkin is low in calories, but rich in a huge amount of essential vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin, the orange beauty that it is, contains a high concentration of vitamin A (beta-carotene). It also contains a lot of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, improves muscle health, and assists in metabolism. It also contains smaller amounts of a variety of healthy nutrients, including Vitamin C, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Folate, to name a few. A number of nutrients in pumpkin, including that vitamin A and zinc, improve your pet’s skin and coat. The high water content in pumpkin flesh also contributes to supple skin and a lustrous coat. In addition to making your pet’s coat shine and look fantastic, the added moisture causes the skin to flake less and less hair to be shed on your carpets, furniture, and clothes!
2. DOG FRIENDLY APPLE PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES
Apples are a fantastic, affordable, healthy and low calorie treat for dogs. They are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fiber, and they also help keep a dog’s teeth clean and freshens their breath. Besides being tasty, apples or apple slices—with their core and seeds removed—make a great low protein, high fiber, antioxidant snacks for dogs.
Most peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin. The healthiest option is unsalted peanut butter or homemade peanut butter, as high sodium levels can be problematic for dogs, and as an added bonus, homemade peanut butters do not contain extra sugar and other additives. Something to remember about peanut butter: Most peanut butter is safe, but some can be deadly. Recently, some peanut butter manufacturers have switched to using the sweetener xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute often found in sugar-free products like chewing gum, toothpaste, breath mints, chew-able vitamins and baked goods. It is safe for people, but toxic to dogs.
3. BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
It is recommended that dog owners feed their pets with a variety of natural foods that are high in antioxidants. Blueberries are in fact one of the best options because they are extremely tasty and healthy. In addition, dogs can eat blueberries and most importantly, dogs who eat blueberries can get the same health benefits as humans! Blueberries contain a good amount of natural fiber, which is important for your dog’s digestive health. Regular consumption of blueberries has a positive effect on the brain, keeping your pup sharp. Blueberries are also high in vitamin C and fiber, which can assist with bowel movements.
Be careful though! Too many blueberries and doggie diarrhea could result. Keep that in mind.
Do you have any tasty recipes you want to share? Drop them in the comments and let us know! Happy snacking!