Homemade, Dog-Friendly Meatballs!
Dogs love homemade meatballs
However, store-bought versions often contain onions, which are not suitable for dogs. Here's a tasty, nutritious, and healthy alternative. These simple and delicious dog-friendly meatballs are perfect as treats and serve as a real motivation boost. For more information on how to use treats effectively in training, see our article on Dog Training: From Treat Bribes to Learned Signals.
The ingredients you need
- 250 g lean beef or chicken mince (choose a protein source your dog can tolerate)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sweet potato puree (cooked and mashed sweet potato), alternatively: 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
- 1/4 cup finely grated carrots
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional)
- 1 tsp freshly chopped parsley (optional, for extra flavor)
- Water, if necessary to adjust the consistency
How to make homemade meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Mix together the minced meat, egg, sweet potato puree/beef flour, finely grated carrots and coconut oil. Adjust the consistency with a little water if necessary. Add the parsley if you choose to use it.
- Shape small meatballs with your hands. The size of the meatballs can be adjusted according to your dog's size.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet with baking paper.
- Bake them in the oven (175°C or 350°F) for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and have a nice golden color.
- Let the meatballs cool completely before letting your dog taste them.
- Store the meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months.
Your furry friend will love these tasty treats, and you can be sure you're giving them a reward that's as healthy as it is delicious! If your dog is a food refuser, you can read more in our article on Appetite Problems in Dogs: Solutions for Food Refusal. Good luck with the training!
If you're interested in other recipes, for example to make something special during the summer, check out our article on Summer Menu for Dogs – Adjusting Your Dog’s Diet in Summer. In addition, if you want to spoil your dog even more, why not try making homemade dog ice cream as a delicious reward?
You can also read about dog digestive problems in the article Dog's Digestive Distress: Constipation, Diarrhea and Vomiting to ensure your dog has a healthy stomach.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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