Unbelievable? Making Dog Treats in an Air Fryer

Everyone has done it. Your beloved four-legged friend is eyeing you up while you sneak a snack in front of the TV.

You don’t make a habit of it, but now and again, Buster gets a little treat thrown his way.

As an irregular treat, there is probably little harm in this, and many people buy treats produced specifically for canines.

These can actually range in how good they are for your dog though.

Some dog food contains unhealthy fillers, many of which are linked to allergies in pets.

So perhaps, if you are going to treat your dog it would be better to cook your own treats.

There are actually many homemade pet recipes to spoil your dog with on the internet.

Do you know how to make them though, or what is safe to cook?

Can you really make dog treats in an air fryer?

If you are going to make homemade dog treats then you may need to cook them in some manner.

Steaming is certainly a healthy option, although it is unclear how appealing steamed broccoli will be to your dog

Carrots are a dog-friendly food though, so certainly vegetables can be considered.

Fortunately, many human foods are safe for dogs to eat, if at least in moderation.

Air frying is just one more cooking method available to home cooks.

If you are enjoying making dog treats at home, then there seems no reason that an air fryer couldn’t be employed to do so.

And air frying offers a healthier option to many other cooking methods, for humans and pets.

Why can you use air fryers for preparing dog treats?

Air fryers are known for creating food without the use of oil.

In many ways, they are simply smaller versions of convection ovens.

A heating element creates a high temperature, and a fan circulates this to create an even flow of hot air.

This then creates the cooking method known as air frying.

This makes it a good way to prepare dog treats, as well as food for yourself.

There is no added fat, calories are thus reduced, and there is less mess to clean up.

By cooking without adding oil you can be safe in the knowledge that you are preparing food in a healthier manner.

Air fryers are great for cooking meals and snacks quickly.

You could very well make yourself some food in an air fryer that you will then share with your dog soon after.

As long as you choose the right ingredients.

Is it okay for dogs to consume the same meals as their owners?

While it is ok for dogs to eat some human food, there is plenty to be cautious about.

It is easy to make tasty air fryer sausage links in your appliance.

You can make all manner of meaty snacks and meals in an air fryer, but you shouldn’t share them all.

A small piece of sausage link from an air fryer wouldn’t harm your dog.

The problem would be if you started to make things such as sausages their main source of protein.

Dogs should be given treats the same way that children are. Seldom, and with consideration to what is being consumed.

The word treat itself alludes to something that is special and not to be had every day.

Is it ok to make homemade treats for your dogs?

Making homemade treats and meals for a dog could be healthier than some mass-produced pet food.

There are some very good brands available that produce pet food with high-quality protein, whole grains, and organic vegetables.

Some of them are fresh and locally produced too.

Some brands use cheap fillers, low-quality protein, and may not be particularly fresh.

Bags of dried pet food, and cans or sachets of wet food, may be sitting around for a long time.

Pet allergies are often linked to the food they are eating.

Making your own snacks and food could be costly, but it could also be healthier.

Can you mix up a dog’s diet with human food then?

Switching around a dog’s diet can cause them some harm and discomfort.

While you may notice that your dog is showing symptoms of allergies, and you would like to change their food, it might need to be controlled.

Switching a diet from one type of food to another one can cause gastrointestinal issues.

Many experts suggest transitioning a diet so that the dog can adapt.

However, giving your dog some steamed or boiled skinless chicken once or twice a week won’t hurt.

Chicken is a good source of protein and can be far better than what is coming out of that dog food tin you just opened.

It could also be noted that many dog experts think that switching a diet every few months is a good idea.

They believe that this can avoid some allergy issues.

What are the health risks for dogs eating too much human food?

The American Kennel Club reports that perhaps 56% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese.

This is perhaps not surprising when you look at the weight situation of the average owner, and this issue is not exclusive to the states.

Many dogs across the world are overweight.

This is due to overfeeding, lack of exercise, and also from eating the wrong food.

Some people give their dogs the exact same meals that they eat.

This is simply wrong and is doing the dog no favors at all.

Eating lots of human food will lead to a dog becoming overweight, and facing the same problems that humans could.

This means diabetes, heart problems, kidney issues, and of course, obesity.

What can dogs eat and not eat?

According to one article on Healthline regarding what dogs can eat, peanut butter is fine in moderation.

A brief search on the net reveals that there are recipes for air fryer dog treats including peanut butter.

Obviously, this should be used in moderation though.

Peanut butter contains a lot of fat but has a good source of protein.

Other foods that dogs can eat include:

• Carrots
• Fish
• Chicken
• Apples
• White rice
• Pork
• Bananas
• Watermelon

If you are going to give your dog watermelon, then remove the rind and the seeds.

These can cause stomach upsets in a dog, and cause intestinal problems too.

Food that you cannot, and must not give your dog include these:

• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Ice cream
• Coconut
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Citrus fruits

So, when you are considering making homemade air fryer dog treats, research your options first.

Summary

Air fryers present a great way to create healthy food for humans, quickly, and without all the mess of deep or shallow frying.

They therefore also present a possibility of making healthy snacks for dogs.

It is important to keep a dog at a healthy weight, and giving them too many treats is one way to help them towards obesity.

However, taking control of what they eat by using healthy ingredients at home, and air cooking them, could help balance their diet.

Everyone loves to treat their pet, but giving them human food too often will lead to problems with their health later on.

Treat your beautiful dog, but do it sparingly.