9 DIY Healthy Fall Treats for Dogs
- Published on:
- By: Emmy Ballister
It’s that time of year again! Many folks are breaking out the sweater bins, dusting off the boot collection, enjoying the colorful scenery, and craving all things pumpkin spice. For me, Fall is a season filled with special memories. It involves campfires, smores, apple picking, pumpkin carving, and a slower pace after busy summer days wind down. One of my favorite things to do on Fall mornings is to take a brisk walk with our dog, Charlie.
We love Charlie all year round, but there is an extra delightful “pep” in our pup’s steps when the weather begins to cool. I believe that he shares our excitement for endless leaf pile jumping and senses our anticipation for the upcoming holiday seasons. After all, he IS one of the kids. It’s been a challenging past year for ALL of us (human and dog kind alike), so we decided to include Charlie more intentionally this Fall.
If you’d like to do the same for your canine companion, consider these 8 DIY healthy fall treats for dogs. It is said, the best way to a pup’s heart is through his belly (or something like that)! Charlie really enjoyed each of these recipes, and we will be making them a new tradition for many years to come.
1. Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes
This is probably the simplest of the treats to make. All it requires is a sweet potato and an oven (air fryers and dehydrators are great as well). Sweet potatoes are a rich source of fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants. They can aid in digestion and also support better eyesight for your furry friend. When making these chews, I followed this recipe by Three Little Chickpeas. The only thing we adjusted was blanching the sliced potatoes in beef broth right before tossing them into the air fryer! YUM!
2. Chicken Broth Ice Cubes
This is another fairly simple idea that is packed with nutrition and flavor. I have yet to meet a pup who doesn’t love all things chicken, and broth just oozes with all the Fall feels. Chicken broth contains an amino acid called glycine which can benefit a dog’s kidney and liver health. It also contains collagen, which is known to promote smoother joint function. Most dog owners strive to feed their pup’s ingredients that keep them going stronger for longer. I bought these great freezable silicon molds from Amazon and followed this amped-up recipe from Damn Delicious. It was a big win!
3. Pumpkin Peanut Butter Treatos
Did someone say 3 ingredient baked goods? Say no more. These fabulous treats were Charlie’s favorite. He is partial to pumpkin, so that’s probably why, but I’ll admit that I ate one myself. Don’t judge. They were delicious. Besides the edible supplies, you’ll need parchment paper, a cookie-cutter, and around 45 minutes. You won’t regret giving these ones a try, literally.
4. Apple Bacon Biscuits
These biscuits are a little more “involved” than my previous suggestions, but I’m super glad I stumbled upon them. If you’re home on a chilly Saturday morning and have some time on your hands, whip em up! Charlie went crazy waiting for these to come out of the oven. Actually, the smell of bacon has that effect on all the men in my house. I particularly love how this recipe combines a veggie with fruit AND still tastes good! Maybe it’s just me, but I call that “food magic.”
5. Maple Oat Medallions
Ah, maple. Just saying that word incites visions of star-shaped leaves tumbling down from bright orange treetops. Whose with me? Cinnamon, maple syrup, and bananas will have your dog begging for more of these scrumptious little canine cookies. I can almost smell them baking as I type. You might want to keep the windows closed, or the neighbor’s pups will be howling at the door in an instant!
6. Puppuccino / Hot Dogolate (made with carob)
Dalmatian DIY knocks these delectable drinks out of the park. Ok, ok, calm down! We will stay in the park. But I still recommend letting your pup lap up these treats. Many choose the quick neighborhood Starbucks option, but I find something satisfying about custom creating a warm beverage myself. I know exactly what is going into Charlie’s belly that way. Plus, I can serve it in a big bowl vs. a tiny cardboard cup which limits the “splashing.” I don’t know about your dog’s tongue, but mine has a mind ALL of its own. Cheers!
7. Doggy Donuts
For some reason, I crave donuts from September through November. It’s a problem for my waistline, but luckily Charlie doesn’t share the same predicament. His donuts, from Sunny Day Family, are much healthier, and he is certainly a fan. If you’re looking for an extra special way to say “I love you” this month, look no further. I’m talking yogurt frosting, and bacon sprinkles y’all. Your dog can thank me later.
P.S. These cider dog donuts look promising as well, although I haven’t given them a try yet!
8. Cinnamon Bun Bites
My kids LOVE cinnamon rolls, and they are always trying to give some to Charlie. They project their FOMO onto our youngest family member and feed him way more than I would approve of. Coming up with an alternative seemed necessary to keep everyone happy. All dogs deserve a healthy gut AND these cinnamon buns. Seriously though, making sure the occasional treats you feed your dog are safe is essential. For a list of toxic foods to avoid, read here.
9. Turkey Cranberry Bones
Thanksgiving is my family’s favorite holiday! We love having company from out of town and gathering around the table for amazing food. If there were any leftovers, Charlie would be in heaven. Let’s be honest though… we eat ALL the things. Every year I feel a bit guilty, so this year we decided to give Charlie his very own “taste of Thanksgiving” treats. These turkey cranberry bones from DogTipper were perfect. We tried them out this past week and will whip up a nice big batch in November. I might even set him a place at the hooman table. They are THAT yummy.
That’s a wrap on my top 9 choices for DIY healthy Fall treats for dogs! Our pups are remarkable and deserve the very best we have to offer. There are many quality pre-made Fall flavored treats on the shelves, but making some yourself can be rewarding.
If you decide to give any of these a try, share your results on social and shout out @americanservicepets! Thanks to their help, my family has benefited from the psychiatric service of Charlie for many years. If you find yourself in need of an Emotional Support Animal housing letter or Psychiatric Service Dog assistance, click the link below to see if you qualify.
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