Everyone loves to offer their pet a tasty treat once in a while. Rather than picking up your dog’s or cat’s treats from the store, why not try out some pet treat recipes yourself?

Pet owners are becoming ever more vigilant about making sure that their dogs and cats have access to healthy, biologically appropriate food and treats. The best way to do that is to prepare some of your own food at home. Here are two recipes for delicious homemade dog treats and two recipes for delicious homemade cat treats.

For Dogs: No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions

1. In an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and milk, and mix for about 2 minutes on a medium setting.

2. Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add about 2 1/2 cups of oats, mixing until incorporated well.

3. Use a small cookie scoop to roll the mixture into about 20 small balls, and use the remaining oats to coat.

4. Refrigerate the treats for about one hour, until firm. Treats will keep for up to one week if refrigerated in an airtight container.

For Dogs: Pumpkin Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 tablespoons dry milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Blend together the canned pumpkin and eggs.

3. Add flour, dry milk, and salt, then add enough water to make the dough workable, but leave it somewhat stiff and crumbly. Use your hands to mix all the ingredients.

4. Roll the dough until it is about half an inch thick, then cut into any shapes you desire.

5. Place the shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet, ensuring that they are not touching.

6. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point.

For Cats: Tuna Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 can drained tuna
• 2 mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 egg
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup gelatin powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix, using a fork to mash the tuna and sweet potatoes.

3. If needed, add extra coconut flour to give the dough a consistency similar to play dough.

4. Roll dough into small balls and flatten with a fork to make “cookies.”

5. Bake for 20 minutes or until cookies have lightly browned.

For Cats: Purrin’ Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups brown rice flour
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup carrots, grated
• 1/2 cup oatmeal, uncooked
• 1/2 cup plain applesauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a bowl, mix together the oatmeal and brown rice flour.

3. In a food processor, mix carrots, applesauce, and pumpkin pie until fully blended.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix by hand.

5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is about one-quarter-inch thick, then cut into desired shapes.

6. Bake for seven minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

These four simple recipes will surely have even the pickiest pets begging for a bite. Prepare for rave reviews in the form of puppy-dog eyes and purposeful purrs asking you for more. Aside from the no-bake peanut butter balls, all the cookies and biscuits will keep for weeks in the refrigerator or months in the freezer.