Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Blueberries are some of the healthiest fruits you can add to your furry pal’s homemade treats.
Densely packed with vitamins A, C, and E, these fruits are antioxidant powerhouses, which help strengthen the immune system and ward off diseases.
Here are 3 blueberry dog treats you can make at home:
1. Blueberry Roll-Ups
Ingredients
Blueberry Filling:
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 6 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons non-alcoholic vanilla syrup
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Bread Roll-Ups:
- ¼ cup extra virgin coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
- 10 slices of brown bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use parchment paper to line a baking pan.
- Rinse and dry the blueberries. Once done, dice them into small pieces. Set aside.
- Mix the cinnamon powder, cornstarch, maple syrup, water, and vanilla syrup in a medium-sized pan over medium-low heat.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then cover it. Allow it to simmer before adding the diced blueberries.
- Let the blueberry filling cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until the mixture has a thick consistency.
- Turn off the heat and pour the vanilla extract into the mixture. Stir thoroughly until well combined.
- Transfer the blueberry filling to a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil and cinnamon powder.
- Using a sharp knife, slice off the crust from all slices of the brown bread.
- Place them on a clean, even surface and use a rolling pin to flatten them.
- Scoop at least 2 tablespoons of the filling on one side of each flattened bread. Roll tightly afterwards.
- Repeat this process until all the bread contains a filling.
- Dip these blueberry dog treats in the olive oil-cinnamon mixture. Then put them on the lined baking pan with their seams facing downward.
- Bake them in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove these blueberry treats for dogs.
Notes
- Use an air fryer if you have one at home for quicker cooking. Cook the blueberry roll-ups for 4 to 6 minutes. Make sure to flip them halfway through the cooking duration.
- Store leftovers of these homemade dog treats in an airtight container. They can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
2. Blueberry Flatbreads
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced blueberries
- 1 ½ cup cassava flour
- ½ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and use a baking tray to line a silicone mat.
- In a stand mixer, combine the baking powder, cassava flour, egg, and pumpkin purée for at least 3 minutes on medium speed until a dough is formed.
- Carefully fold the diced blueberries into the dough.
- Form small balls out of the dough using a tablespoon and place them 2 to 3 inches apart on the lined baking tray.
- Bake these blueberry dog treats for approximately 12 to 15 minutes until they have golden brown edges. Rotate the baking tray halfway through when baking so both sides of the flatbreads are evenly baked.
- Take the baking tray out of the oven and place it on the cooling rack.
- Offer these homemade treats to your furry pal once they have fully cooled.
Notes
- Do not apply too much pressure when folding the blueberries into the dough. Otherwise, the diced berries might get crushed, causing the dough to turn pink.
- These blueberry dog treats can last for up to 3 days at room temperature or 1 week when stored in the fridge. Just keep in mind to place them in a well-sealed container.
Read: Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? What About Strawberry-Flavored Food?
3. Blueberry Tartufo
Ingredients
- 1 cup low-sugar, xylitol-free peanut butter dog biscuits
- 2 teaspoons melted unsweetened peanut butter
- 1 pint all-natural dog ice cream
- 6 frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Take the ice cream out of the fridge and let it soften slightly by leaving it at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Crush the biscuits into fine crumbs in a food processor. Alternatively, you can place them in a zip lock bag and then go over them with a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs into a shallow bowl and set aside.
- Use a 5-centimeter-round ice cream scooper to scoop a ball of ice cream.
- While the ice cream is still inside the scooper, create a small hole in its center using a knife. The size should be enough to fit a blueberry.
- Poke a blueberry with a toothpick and carefully insert it into the hole. Cover the opening by smoothing the ice cream over using a spoon or a knife.
- Release the ice cream ball into the container of crushed biscuits.
- Use a spoon to cover the entire ice cream ball with the crumbs and then place it on a lined baking sheet.
- Repeat the process until you use up all the frozen blueberries.
- Freeze these homemade blueberry dog treats for 4 hours or until you serve them to your dog. If they are too firm for your canine friend, let them thaw slightly at room temperature for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Notes
- Blueberry tartufo can be stored in the fridge for around 3 to 5 days.
- When storing these blueberry dog treats in the freezer, retain their round shape by firmly wrapping each of them in plastic wrap.
FAQs About Homemade Blueberry Dog Treats
1. Can You Give Dogs Blueberries as Treats?
You can give dogs blueberries as treats. They are rich in antioxidants, like vitamins A, C, and E, and provide a handful of minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and zinc.
Thus, if you are searching for healthy ingredients for homemade dog treats, blueberries are great options.
2. How Do You Prepare Blueberries for Dogs?
Preparing blueberries for dogs is quite simple. All you have to do is gently rinse them with cool, running water. To get rid of hard-to-remove dirt, wash them with a 3:1 mixture of water and white vinegar.
Dry them using paper towels and serve them to your pet or use them to make homemade dog treats.
3. Are Homemade Blueberry Treats Good for My Dog?
Homemade blueberry treats are good for your dog when offered in moderation. Since they are mostly made up of fresh ingredients, they provide more high-quality nutrients to him.
However, treats, even those that are homemade, should not comprise a big portion of your pet’s diet. Or else, they might cause gastric distress since dogs have sensitive stomachs.
Conclusion
The impressive nutrient content of blueberries makes them great ingredients for homemade dog treats. Let them take the center stage by following the recipes we have shared in this article.