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Natural Awakenings Healthy Living Magazine

Cool Treats for Cats and Dogs

Jul 31, 2020 09:00AM ● By Tonya Wilhelm
Dog looking at plate of berry treats

photos courtesy of RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com

Spending quality time with our pets is always a win, especially if it’s in the kitchen. Pet treats can be more than tasty; if we use the right ingredients, they can be downright nutritional. Stop at a favorite local health store to pick up the ingredients to prepare these easy and cool pet treats.

Berry Delicious

Basil isn’t just a culinary herb—it improves digestion, delivers anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, strengthens the immune system and helps to detoxify the liver. It’s perfect for this summertime frozen snack.

Blueberries aren’t the only healthy berries. Blackberries are full of vitamin C, high in fiber, manganese and antioxidants, are a good source of vitamin K and offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory attributes. Coconut oil provides vitamins and minerals, is antibacterial, antiviral and has antifungal properties, making it a good choice for yeasty dogs. It also aids in digestion, although too much of a good thing can cause diarrhea. Berries are a great treat for pets. Raspberries contain quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid that reduces inflammation.

Yields: Depends on size of molds

1 cup coconut oil
½ cup blackberries
½ cup raspberries
1 Tbsp basil leaves

Place the coconut oil in a pan over low heat. Stir until melted and set aside. Place the blackberries, raspberries and basil leaves into a mixer and blend.

Add the melted coconut oil into the mixer and blend ingredients together.

Place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better.

Pour the mix into the molds and place in the freezer.

Once frozen, pop out treats and store in a glass container in the freezer.

Serve one frozen treat to each pet every few days.
 

Sardines and Milk

 

This frozen pet treat will delight both dogs and cats. Not only will they enjoy this treat, but it offers a powerhouse of nutrition. Sardines provide pets with healthy fats such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), otherwise known as omega-3 fatty acids. They also provide vitamin D3, B12, coenzyme Q10 and amino acids. Not bad for a small fish.

Cow’s milk for pets is pretty much a no-no. They do not tolerate its high level of alpha-s1-casein protein. Goat’s milk, on the other hand, contains extremely low to no amounts of this protein, and so allows better absorption of the nutrients. Goat’s milk also supplies essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin B5 and A, as well as healthy fats, enzymes and minerals, making it a good choice for the liquid component in this frozen treat.

Yields: Depends on size of molds

1 can (3.75 oz) wild-caught sardines in water
1 cup goat’s milk, raw or fermented is best

Place the ingredients into a mixer and blend. Place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better.

Pour the mix into the molds and place in the freezer.

Once frozen, pop out treats and store in a glass container in the freezer.

Serve one frozen treat to each pet every few days.
 

Cooling and Soothing


Blueberries are quite popular as a healthy fruit for good reason. They are the most antioxidant fruit around. Because they contain natural compounds called anthocyanins, which are flavonoids, blueberries help protect against cardiovascular disease. They also have high amounts of EPA and DHA, making these little berries quite the superfood.


Carrots offer a great crunch. They also are a fine source of betacarotene, vitamin A, fiber and potassium. Not just a calming herb, lavender is also anti-inflammatory and even aids in digestion. Strawberries are fragrant and tasty, and also provide vitamins C and B9, magnesium and potassium. These sweet fruits are rich in antioxidants.
 
Yields: Depends on size of molds

½ cup blueberries
½ cup carrots
½ cup strawberries
1 Tbsp dried lavender

Place the ingredients in a mixer and blend.

Place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better.

Pour the mix into the molds and place in the freezer.

Once frozen, pop out treats and store in a glass container in the freezer.

Serve one frozen treat to each pet every few days.
 

Tonya Wilhelm is a professional dog trainer, spreading the word about positive methods of preventing and managing behavioral issues with a holistic approach.