5 Healthy and Affordable No-Bake Treats for Your Pets

Storebought treats often have long ingredient lists. While that's not always bad, finding minimally processed treats can be a real challenge. Not to mention that the price of healthy, delicious cat and dog treats can quickly add up. Fortunately, you can still spoil your four-legged best friends affordably. These no-bake pet treats are easy to make and use budget-friendly (but healthy!) ingredients.

1. Pumpkin and peanut butter balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats

Method:

Puree all the ingredients in a food processor. Then shape the mixture into small tablespoon-sized balls. Lay them on a baking sheet and freeze until the treats harden. Store the no-bake treats in an airtight container.

2. No-bake tuna squares

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup canned tuna
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• Oil to bind the mixture

Method:

Blend the canned tuna and rolled oats in a food processor, drizzling olive oil until everything comes together. Then, spread the mixture over a baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours. Once hard, cut into small squares and keep in the fridge or freezer. This pet treat recipe is delectable for cats and dogs alike.

3. Frozen apple yogurt treats

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain unsweetened yogurt (bonus if it's lactose-free)
• 1/4 cup diced apples

Method:

Stir the apples into the yogurt and spoon the mixture into bone-shaped molds. Freeze for 4 hours and remove from the molds. These frozen treats are perfect for puppies during the hot summer months.

4. Peanut butter banana treats

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp coconut oil

Method:

Mash overripe bananas and mix in peanut butter and coconut oil. Form the "dough" into bite-sized balls and refrigerate so they harden. This recipe is great for teaching kids about caring for dogs because they can get involved in the prep (and maybe even sneak a bite or two of this kid-approved healthy snack).

5. No-bake tuna and cheese balls

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup cooked peas
• 1/2 cup canned tuna
• 1 tbsp finely shredded mozzarella

Method:

Puree all ingredients in a food processor and roll the mixture into small balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat if you aim for a zero-waste home and freeze. Once they've firmed up, store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

Bonus tips for making your own healthy pet treats

Feel free to get creative and veer off these cat and dog treat recipes. Use the ingredients you have that your pet loves. Just keep a couple of things in mind:

• Not all human food is safe for pets. Seasonings aren't good for your pet's digestive system. Some fruits and veggies (like grapes and onions) also should never feature in your pet's diet. Learning what foods are big no-nos is a key step in preparing yourself and your home for a new puppy.
• Be aware of added sugars and sodium. These two ingredients are bad for pets, so avoid adding them to your recipes.

Pounce on unmissable deals and save on pet essentials

Making your own no-bake pet treats can save you a lot of money. Especially if you also make the most of rebates and discounts. Find a Save Coupon Book near you to max out your savings while pampering your furry friend.