Taking your dog on a road trip might not be the first companion you have in mind, but they can make great traveling buddies.
One thing that will guarantee a smooth trip for both of you is some snacks, but your dog will need their own special food that’s made just for them.
Rather than buying dog treats to take in the car, you can whip up some of your own before the trip and bring them along.
These are some recipe ideas you can follow for healthy and easy to make treats that’ll tide them over until the next stop and ensure they don’t go too crazy with overeating when you’re on the road.
1. Peanut Butter and Apple Sauce Cookies
Dogs make no secret about loving peanut butter and this condiment is a popular choice for DIY dog treats.
These are peanut butter and apple sauce cookies for dogs who have a sweet tooth and there’s not that many ingredients to round up.
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick oats
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- Coconut oil
- 1 tsp baking powder
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and cover a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Flour a surface and start to knead your dough, adding a little bit of the coconut oil at a time.
- Mix all of the ingredients except for the coconut oil together in a large bowl until combined completely.
- Roll out the dough once kneaded until it’s about ¼ inch thick and then use a cookie cutter or cut small circles into the dough.
- Place the cookies onto the baking tray being sure to leave around ½ inch space in between each of them.
- Cook for around 25 minutes or until the edges start turning golden brown. Once done, place them on a cooling rack to set.
2. Sweet Potato Dog Chews
This one is super easy because there’s only one ingredient – sweet potato.
These are like a healthier version of the traditional pig ear treats but they won’t make as much of a mess so they’re perfect for the car.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 250F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Wash the sweet potatoes and leave their skins on. Pat them dry.
- Cut the potatoes into ¼ slices lengthways and then lay them onto the baking tray.
- Bake them for a total of three hours, turning them halfway. When done, pull them out and place them on a cooling rack.
3. Pumpkin Carrot Bites
Pumpkin is a natural ingredient that can help dogs with stomach upset so these are particularly good if you have a canine who suffers from car sickness.
These bites are small and easy to travel with and have all of the flavors that dogs go crazy for.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pureed pumpkin
- 1 egg;
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup grated carrot
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Lightly beat your egg in a larger bowl and then mix in the pureed pumpkin, flour, and carrot in with it until moist and combined.
- Take a tablespoon of the batter and roll it into a ball before placing on the baking sheet, with enough room between each one.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown on the edges and then cool on a rack.
4. Spinach, Carrot and Zucchini Treats
These are full of vegetables and easy enough to pack for a road trip, and you can make them well in advance.
The main ingredients are the vegetables but an addition of peanut butter means they have the taste that dogs love.
Ingredients
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 eggs + ½ cup rolled oats
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Use an electric mixer to beat the pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter together until it has a smooth consistency.
- Pour the flour and oats in while you continue mixing, gradually a little bit at a time. When it’s all combined and no longer sticky, add in the zucchini, carrot, and spinach and beat it lightly.
- Put the dough you’ve made on a floured surface and knead it a few times before rolling it out until it’s about ¼ inch thick. Cut out the biscuits using a cookie cutter and place them onto the tray.
- Put the cookies in the oven for 25 minutes, keeping an eye on them during cooking. Once the edges are golden brown, remove them and put them on a cooling rack until they’re ready.
The Joy of Homemade Dog Treats
Your dog won’t be the only one to benefit from having these healthy homemade dog treats, as the act of making something special for them can be very rewarding.
If you’d prefer to stay away from store bought dog treats and feed them only natural ones, making your own is a great way to do so.
Taking your dog on a road trip doesn’t have to be a challenge, especially when you have some tasty snacks ready in case they start to get restless.
Whether you want to purchase your own natural dog treats or try and make them for yourself, ingredients like these are always the healthier option for your pet.
