Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Satin balls for dogs are treats loaded with carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. While they may seem unhealthy, these dog snacks are highly beneficial to many canines, especially emaciated dogs.
What are Satin Balls for Dogs?
Satin balls for dogs are a type of homemade dog treat created by Diana Carreon, R.N., C. in 1966. They are raw meatballs that are specifically formulated to promote rapid weight gain in dogs. These meat balls are dense in carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
What Dogs Can Benefit from Eating Satin Balls?
Satin Balls for dogs are often given to undernourished dogs in animal shelters. However, they can also make great treats for other canines, such as:
- Dogs with low appetite
- Underweight working dogs
- Show dogs that are required to hit a certain weight for competitions
- Canines suffering from muscle wasting or weight loss due to an illness
- Nursing and whelping mother dogs
Satin balls are meant to be weight-gain dog snacks, so using them as meal replacements are highly discouraged. They do not contain a well-balanced formulation of nutrients and may cause nutritional deficiencies in the long run.
3 Downsides of Satin Balls for Dogs
Satin balls are not fit for some dogs as they can contribute to the rise or worsening of certain health issues. Think twice before feeding these weight-gain snacks to your furry pal if he is:
1. Suffering from Pancreatitis
Satin balls for dogs have high-fat levels. Fat increases inflammation in the pancreas, worsening the symptoms of pancreatitis.
If your dog is healthy, feed him satin balls in moderation to avoid digestive upset and the consequent development of pancreatitis.
2. A Young Puppy
According to Diana Carreon, satin balls have insufficient amounts of calcium. They cannot counterbalance the increased phosphorus levels brought on by the increased amount of protein in raw meat.
Feeding these treats to puppies can adversely affect their bone growth and development.
Puppies’ diets do not need to be supplemented with satin balls. Focus on providing them with well-balanced meals specifically formulated for their age.
3. Prone to Food Allergies
Satin balls contain ingredients like oats and wheat germ that may trigger allergies in some canines. Before making these weight-gain snacks for dogs, assess the recipe first.
Check for ingredients that can cause an onset of adverse reactions in your dog. Then replace it with safe and healthy alternative options.
Recommended Serving Size of Satin Balls for Dogs
How many satin balls to feed a dog? Small dogs weighing below 20 pounds can have 1 satin ball per day. Medium and large breed dogs can be given at least 2 satin balls daily.
Monitor your canine companion’s weight daily to see if there is any progress. Ideally, he will put weight within the first week. If this does not happen, increase his intake of satin balls. Small dogs can have up to ½ or 2 satin balls per day. Medium and large dog breeds can be given more, around 3 pieces of these weight gain snacks.
Traditional Satin Ball for Dogs Ingredients and Their Health Benefits
What are satin balls made of? Satin balls for dogs are primarily composed of raw meat and grains that provide good amounts of carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and protein.
Let us take a closer look at the most common ingredients that make up these dog treats:
Oatmeal
Oatmeal houses about 17% of protein. One cup of it offers 5 grams of protein to canines. It is also rich in B vitamins, fiber, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
When choosing oatmeal for your dog, old-fashioned oats and rolled oats are good options.
Wheat Germ
High levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are found in wheat germ. Both serve as energy fuel for dogs and also promote healthy skin and fur.
Canines can acquire other nutrients from wheat germ, including folate, magnesium, vitamin E, and zinc.
Ground Beef
Ground beef is a good source of protein for dogs. It contains 22 grams of protein per 3 ounces of serving.
Dogs can also gain several essential amino acids from this meat, including histidine, leucine, and lysine. These nutrients are crucial for maintaining various body functions, such as proper nutrient transportation and muscle repair.
Egg and Eggshell
Your furry pal can obtain 6 to 7 grams of protein from an average-sized egg. Eggs contain healthy fatty acids, iron, riboflavin, and selenium.
Do not throw away the shells since they are packed with calcium. Eggshells provide 380 milligrams of calcium per gram.
The membrane lining inside the shells is also nutritious for them. It is dense with joint-strengthening compounds such as chondroitin, collagen, and glucosamine.
Just be sure to purchase eggs sourced from free-range chicken on an organic diet. Avoid eggs sold in grocery stores because they are treated with chemicals that can endanger your dog’s health.
Molasses
Molasses is enriched with bone-nourishing minerals for dogs, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Be careful in selecting molasses for your canine friend. For his safety, choose the unsulfured variety to avoid adverse reactions. Also, opt for blackstrap molasses instead of the lighter variety due to its lower sugar level.
Gelatin
Gelatin is derived from the skin, bones, tendons, and connective tissues of animals like cows, fish, and pigs. Hence, it is composed of 98% to 99% protein.
Make sure to use unflavored and plain gelatin when creating this homemade weight gainer for dogs. Avoid products that contain xylitol, as they are highly toxic to canines.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is full of healthy fats that provide dogs with an extra energy boost. It is also highly dense with calories, which promotes weight gain. Coconut oil offers around 120 calories per tablespoon.
Go for organic, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. Its production process prevents nutrients from dissolving.
Salt
Sodium is an essential mineral in the canine body. It is responsible for maintaining normal muscle and nerve function as well as proper fluid balance.
However, dogs only need a small amount of salt to gain these health benefits. Excessive sodium intake can lead to health issues like kidney problems.
While the food listed are the traditional ingredients of these treats, you have the freedom to tweak the satin ball recipe to your liking. Over the years. dog owners came up with their own recipe for this homemade weight gainer for dogs.
How to Make Satin Balls For Dogs
What you need:
- 10 pounds of hamburger meat
- 1 jar of wheat germ
- 1 large box of oatmeal
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 dozen raw eggs and eggshells
- 1 jar of all-natural, unsweetened peanut butter
- 10 small envelopes of unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/4 cups unsulfured molasses
How to make satin balls for dogs:
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until well-combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls.
- Place the satin balls for dogs in an airtight container or a ziplock bag.
- Store it in the fridge and thaw it when you want to feed the snacks to your dog.
Notes:
- Do not cook the satin balls, as exposing them to high heat can cause the fats and nutrients to dissipate.
FAQs About Satin Balls For Dogs
1. How Many Calories in Satin Balls for Dogs?
The recipe can yield around 24 satin balls for dogs, which contain around 200 calories each.
2. How Often to Feed Your Dog Satin Balls?
To prevent overfeeding and obesity, it is recommended to evenly distribute the snacks throughout the day by offering one satin ball in the morning and one in the evening.
Once your dog has achieved their weight goal, it is advisable to stop feeding him satin balls for the same reason.
3. How to Store Satin Balls for Dogs?
Store satin balls for dogs in a zip-lock bag or in an air-tight container.
These homemade weight gainers for dogs can be refrigerated for up to 3 or 4 days. Alternatively, storing satin balls in the freezer can help them last longer, for around 1 to 2 months.
4. Where to Buy Satin Balls for Dogs?
You can buy satin balls for dogs from a local pet shop or online store if you do not have time to make them at home. However, it is important to always check the ingredients list to ensure the product is free from additives, artificial coloring, and preservatives.
5. Can Humans Eat Satin Balls?
Yes, humans can eat satin balls so long as they are cooked first. We cannot eat them raw because we are more susceptible to food poisoning than our four-legged friends.
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
There are many types of doggy snacks you can make for your dog at home. Here are a few you can try:
- 7 Healthy Homemade Dog Biscuit Recipes
- 6 Easy Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipes
- 6 Easy Dog Cake Recipes
Summary
Satin balls for dogs are specifically formulated to promote weight gain in canines that need to pack on some extra pounds. However, they should not be a permanent part of a dog’s diet, as overfeeding can lead to obesity.
Discover more ways to improve your furry pal’s health using all-natural ingredients by exploring our Diet & Recipes section.
