Reward your fur baby with nutritious peanut butter balls for dogs! They’re rolled in oatmeal and some of the easiest dog homemade peanut butter dog treats you’ll ever make.
Who knew that making dog treats with natural ingredients was so easy and so much fun? In no time at all, you’ll have a plate full of treats to spoil your dog with.
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Why You and Your Dog Will Love These Treats
Your furry friend will beg for these easy peanut butter dog treats, especially if they already love peanut butter. There’s no denying that aroma! Do you have an older dog? This is perfect for them because they are so soft that dogs with few or no teeth can eat them too.
Use them to hide pills – it’s easy to stick pills in these soft treats. And they’re great training treats.
Your dog isn’t the only one that will love them. You’ll love that there are only four simple ingredients. And, it’s an easy no-bake recipe. So you can stir it, roll out the dough balls, and let them chill. So easy!
Ingredients
Here’s a handy ingredient list for making the balls and a little about each of the ingredients. Note there’s a printable recipe card below with the exact measurements for each.
- Unsweetened Natural Peanut Butter – The star of the treats! It has healthy fats and protein.
- Pumpkin Puree – Full of nutrients including essential vitamins and minerals.
- Coconut Milk – Another source of healthy fats.
- Old-fashioned Oats – Have fiber and give the treats a nice texture.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Here’s some additional information on the ingredients to keep in mind along with some easy swaps you can make to fit your dog’s taste preferences or dietary needs:
- Do not use peanut butter that contains added sugars or artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol because it is toxic to dogs.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or SunButter (sunflower seed butter). Make sure it does not contain xylitol or other artificial sweeteners.
- Do not use pumpkin pie mix because it may contain spices that are toxic to dogs.
- You can substitute pumpkin with plain cooked and mashed sweet potato or butternut squash.
- You can substitute old-fashioned oats with quick cooking or instant oats but do not use steel-cut oats.
- You can substitute coconut milk with almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, or plain Greek yogurt.
If you are concerned about feeding raw oats to your dog, you can toast them. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Let them cool completely before using them.
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls for Dogs
Making these balls could not be any easier! Here are the simple steps:
- Put the peanut butter, pumpkin, and coconut milk in a bowl.
- Stir it all together until it’s smooth.
- Add all but ½ cup of the oats and stir them in. Put the remaining oats on a small plate.
- Use an ice cream scoop, tablespoon, or smaller spoon to scoop out the mixture.
- Form the portions into balls with your hands.
- Roll the dough balls in the remaining oats on a plate or in a small bowl.
- Place the coated balls on a baking sheet or platter.
- Refrigerate them for at least an hour to firm them up.
Serving Size
How many peanut butter balls should you give your canine companion? That depends on the amount of food you gave your pet to eat that day and the size of your dog. Large dogs can consume more than smaller dogs. It also depends on how small or large you make the balls.
Treats should be included when considering your dog’s daily caloric intake. Make sure you don’t exceed the recommended amount for your dog. The nutrition information in the recipe card is for 1 ball in a batch of 15.
I suggest only giving your spoiled hound 1 or 2 per day. However, you can use your judgment or consult with your veterinarian regarding how many treats are right for your dog.
Also, keep in mind when adding new foods to your dog’s diet to start with small amounts to ensure your dog has no allergic or adverse reactions.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Do not store them at room temperature. They will last up to 1 week.
You can freeze them for longer storage. They’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer. You can give them to your dog as frozen treats or thaw them in the fridge.
Can people eat these peanut butter balls?
Yes, they certainly can! All the ingredients are safe for human consumption. Give one a try and see if you like it.
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Do you want to make more treats for your spoiled hound? Check out these:
Find lots of recipes for homemade dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Peanut Butter Balls for Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats divided use
Instructions
- Place pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and coconut milk in a medium bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add 2½ cups of oats combine well.
- Place the remaining ½ cup of oats on a plate or in a shallow bowl.
- Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, scoop out the mixture and form into balls using your hands.
- Roll the balls in the oats and place them on a baking sheet or platter. Refrigerate the balls for about an hour to firm them.
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