Very Cherry Berry Blast Dog Treat Recipe

by Amy Tokic

Published: August 30th, 2022

Get ready for a blast of flavor – our Very Cherry Berry Blast Dog Treat Recipe will blow your dog away (in a good way, of course)!

We love fruit… and so do our pooches. If you want to bake up some sweet treats, give our Very Cherry Berry Blast Dog Treat Recipe a try. Cherries have vitamin A and C, fiber, antioxidants, melatonin, and other beneficial nutrients. You can use frozen or fresh sweet or tart cherries (not Maraschino cherries) – it’s up to you. Just be sure that they’re pitted before making these treats, as they can damage their teeth, cause blockages in the gut, and contain trace amounts of cyanide.

Makes about 24 medium-sized treats.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup blueberries or raspberries, sliced

1/2 cup cherries, pitted and sliced

1/2 cup apple sauce

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a food processor or blender, puree blueberries and cherries until smooth.

3. In a large bowl, add all the ingredients and mix until a dough forms.

4. Once well mixed, place dough onto a floured surface, rolling out to ¼ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place on them on the baking sheet.

5. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and place on cooling racks for 2-3 hours.

7. Place in airtight container and store in fridge or freezer.

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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A bounty of berries in every bite of this dog treat recipe! This warm weather is berry beautiful! Gone is the brown grass and barren trees, and in its place are green buds and bright blooms. One of my favorite pastimes when I was a kid was going strawberry picking – I’m sure I ate more than we took home! And it wasn’t just strawberries that I loved. Fresh blueberries, blackberries and raspberries were welcome guests in my cereal and ice cream bowl all season long. Berry season isn’t just for people – it’s for dogs, too. All of the sweet berries I listed above pack a healthy punch for dogs as well. Plus, they mix perfectly in my Berry Wholesome Dog Treat Recipe! Berry Wholesome Dog Treat Recipe

Frozen Mixed Summer Berry Dog Treat Recipe

The summer is too short to be spent in the kitchen. That’s why you’ll love this Frozen Mixed Summer Berry Dog Treat Recipe. It took me five minutes to make. Of course, you have to leave this treat overnight to freeze, but again, that’s still time you won’t be cooking! These frozen yum-yums are delish after a hot walk or a swim in the pool. And feel free to share these treats with your pooch – Oscar and I love can’t get enough of them!Frozen Mixed Summer Berry Dog Treat RecipeIngredients:1/2 cup blueberries½ cup raspberries1 cup plain yogurt1 tablespoon honey (optional)Instructions:Add fruit, yogurt and honey in blender. Puree until smooth.Pour in ice cube trays and leave overnight to freeze.Benefits of Blueberries and Raspberries for DogsNot only are blueberries and raspberries a tasty spring and summer snack, but they also provide some incredible benefits for your pup. Keep in mind that berries, like most fruits, contain natural sugars. Too much sugar can cause complications, so feed your berry-based treats in moderation.Low CaloriesObesity is a growing concern in dogs. Luckily, trying to stick to a healthy total calorie count doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the “fun” parts of your dog’s day. Berries are a delicious low calorie treat, allowing you to spoil your pup worry-free.Improved Bone HealthBlueberries and raspberries are both high in vitamin K. This important vitamin plays a role in the body’s absorption of calcium, improving and supporting bone health. Consider combining your dog’s berry snack with a high calcium option (like the yogurt in this recipe) to make the most of this benefit.Fight InflammationIf your dog is currently in their golden years, you may be starting to see the signs of aging in the way that they move. Fight inflammation in the joints and provide your dog with some relief by including berries containing anti-inflammatory polyphenol compounds (like blueberries and raspberries) in their regular diet.Improve Heart HealthBy including berries in your dog’s treats, you can lower cholesterol levels, optimize platelet function, regulate blood pressure, and lower their risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s a great (and delicious) way to give your dog the happy, healthy life that they deserve.Why Add Honey to Your Dog’s Treats? While honey is an optional ingredient, there are some great reasons to add a sweet touch to his treats. We often turn to honey to address our own health issues, like soothing a sore throat. But Raw honey can also offer some great benefits for your dog in moderation. But be cautious. There are some dogs that should avoid this sweet treat. With the natural sugars in honey, it’s not the best choice for dogs that are diabetic or are trying to lose weight. Quick Energy Boost Are you getting ready for a day of high-energy activity with your dog? If so, you may want to offer a little extra boost to make sure that your dog has the energy to keep up with everything that you have planned. Honey contains natural sugars that your dog’s body will break down and use for energy. This is a great option before heading out on the trails hiking or leading up to an athletic competition like agility. Soothe Stomach Upset Dogs that are experiencing mild stomach aches could benefit from including a little honey in their diet. It works to help soothe the stomach and alleviate nausea. If you notice that your dog is licking his lips excessively or eating fresh grass, offer a little honey in a treat or on his food as a natural treatment option. Manage Environmental Allergies If your dog suffers from environmental allergies like pollen, locally sourced honey can be a great solution. For this to work, you need to offer small amounts over an extended period. The honey will include some of the pollens that are found in the environment, working to desensitize him to the allergen. This should be done under veterinary supervision. Wow! How easy was that? And you can use your dog’s favorite summer fruit – try it with strawberries or watermelon, as long as the fruit is safe for your pooch. If you find that the first batch is too sweet, take the honey out and go au natural!

Urine Tests Could Now Provide Early Detection of Cancer in Dogs

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What Do I Do if My Dog Has a Chipped Tooth?

Discovering that your dog is hurt or in pain is a concerning moment for any pet parent, regardless of the injury. But dental injuries can be particularly stressful. If you have ever experienced a toothache, you understand!Whether your pup chipped a tooth during a rough play session with their best furry friend or while gnawing on a hard chew like a bone or antler, any dental damage must be addressed promptly.Read on to learn how to prioritize your dog’s dental health, including identifying if they may be suffering from a broken or chipped tooth, how to address dental damage and tips for preventing a broken tooth before it happens. Your pup will thank you!Common Signs of a Broken or Chipped ToothThe first step to caring for dental problems is to identify that your dog is experiencing an issue. The signs of dental problems vary considerably. While some dogs won’t show any discomfort, others may demonstrate considerable pain. This is due not only to the difference in a dog’s personality and pain threshold but also the spectrum of injuries that fall under the heading of “dental problems.”Broken teeth can be categorized into three groups:Enamel Fractures: Damage only to the enamel of the tooth.Crown Fractures: Damage extends deeper into the tooth, breaking the crown and exposing the pulp.Root Fractures: The root of the tooth has been broken.Unless you inspect your dog’s teeth regularly and spot a problem, we often have to rely on body language and behavioral changes to know there’s a problem. Unfortunately, dogs are very good at hiding pain, so they may be suffering from a problem for a while before we’re aware that there is an issue.Some of the more common signs of a broken or chipped tooth include:Excessive droolingBloody salivaPawing at their muzzleChewing on one side of the mouthReluctancy to eat and kibble or harder-to-chew itemsRefusal to eat at allAvoiding drinking cold waterGrinding teethSwelling in the faceDiscomfort or reluctance to have muzzle touchedWhining or whimpering Not playing as they would normally Sudden or out-of-character aggressive or anxious behaviorTrembling or shaking

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How to Tell Your Cats Are About to Fight, According to Scientists

Have you ever wondered if your cats are play fighting or fighting for real? People living in multi-cat households know that the occasional scuffle or a full-blown cat fight is bound to happen. However, many cat owners have a hard time figuring out whether their cats are fighting or roughhousing. A new study published in Scientific Reports can provide some clues. As it turns out, certain behaviors could indicate whether an interaction between two felines is friendly, aggressive, or something in between. In this study, scientists, including Noema Gajdoš-Kmecová from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Slovakia, analyzed 105 videos of interactions between 210 cats. The videos were obtained directly from cat owners and YouTube. After watching around one-third of the videos, Gajdoš-Kmecová pinpointed six types of specific behaviors, including wrestling, chasing, staying still, vocalizing, interactive, and non-interactive activities. She then watched all the videos again to see which cats exhibited one of these specific behaviors and for how long. After running a statistical analysis, Gajdoš-Kmecová was able to identify three distinctive types of interactions between the cat pairs - playful, intermediate, and aggressive. To confirm her findings, other members of the research team also watched the videos and classified each interaction between cats. Over half of the cats from the videos, 56% to be exact, exhibited playful interactions. According to the study, playful interactions included wrestling and a lack of vocalization. About 29% were labeled as agonistic, meaning they exhibited any type of social behavior that included threatening, aggression, and submission. Cats in this group vocalized and exhibited recurring bouts of inactivity.The cats in the intermediate group were involved in both aggressive and playful encounters. According to researchers, this group showed prolonged exchanges of specific behaviors, like laying on the back with the belly exposed, pouncing, stalking, and grooming each other. Scientists believe that this mixture of playful and aggressive behavior may be a sign of short-term friction between the cats rather than the end of the relationship. “This might escalate into a fully agonistic encounter but does not necessarily reflect a breakdown in their social relationship but rather a short-term disagreement in social priorities,” researchers wrote in the study. This study is the first to apply a scientific approach to cat behavior that can be identified by experienced and first-time owners alike. Thanks to this study, scientists can now classify inter-cat interactions as either playful, agonistic, or intermediate. “Wrestling can be a sign of a fight but if it comes with bouts of inactivity then that often means it is playful,” explained Profesor Daniel Mills, who led the study.“Playfighting is also without vocalizations. That’s the profile of a friendly cat. The agonistic cat, they might not do as much wrestling with inactivity but they do lots of vocalization.”“Owners should keep an eye out on how much they are wrestling and whether or not they’re vocalizing. Vocalizing can be broad and include meowing and also yowling,” he added. We all know when cats are fighting fur real, but it’s important to recognize intermediate interactions, where things could end in play or escalate into a real fight. “A lot of cats end up at cat rescue centers because the owners think that they’ve fallen out. In the clinic, I’ve seen cats that are playing and the owner thinks it’s a real fight,” said Professor Mills. If your cats are really getting along (share food and toys and sleep together), an occasional bout of agonistic play is okay. But if your cats aren’t the best of friends, you should look for signs of agonistic behavior. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Can I Muzzle My Dog to Stop Barking?

Final Thoughts - Can I Muzzle My Dog to Stop Barking?Excessive barking can be frustrating and, if left unaddressed, can put you, as the owner, in a difficult situation. In some places, this can lead to fines or even eviction due to noise complaints. Unfortunately, the process of training a dog to stop barking isn’t one that is usually solved overnight – but it can be done! While you might have seen it recommended to use an “anti-bark” muzzle to stop your dog’s barking, it is not recommended for anything more than a 10 to 15-minute quick fix. Not only does it not teach your dog not to bark in the future, but the muzzle's design could create a dangerous situation. Instead, start by identifying the cause. Is your dog overly excited? Is there a trigger that makes them feel fearful and stressed? Are they trying to protect you when someone walks onto your property? Knowing the trigger will help you not only stop it but also manage your dog’s barking in the short term. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to contact a professional trainer or certified behaviorist to offer guidance and direction. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Rising Pet Care Costs Lead to More Surrenders

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The Latest Pet Industry Trends from Global Pet Expo 2024

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This App Helps Lost Pets Find a Way Back Home – Already Saving 8,000

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PetMeds Makes It Easier To Protect Your Pets

As the sun starts shining brighter and the days get warmer, it's the perfect time to plan some outdoor adventures with your furry companions! Whether you're hitting the slopes, swinging on the golf course, or just soaking up the sunshine on a hiking trail with your loyal sidekick by your side, it's important to ensure your pet is well-protected – and that's where PetMeds steps in to lend a helping paw.One of the biggest concerns for pet owners as the seasons change is dealing with those pesky fleas and ticks. These tiny troublemakers not only make your pet itch and scratch, but can also bring some serious health risks along for the ride. From annoying skin irritations to more severe conditions like anemia, dermatitis, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, fleas and ticks can cause real problems for our furry friends. And let's not forget the headache of dealing with a full-blown flea infestation in your home – it's a nightmare! But fear not, because PetMeds has all the tools you need to keep your pet safe and happy.To tackle this challenge, PetMeds offers a wide range of highly effective flea and tick prevention products, including NexGard, Seresto collars, Simparica Trio for dogs, and Revolution Plus for our feline companions. These products are specially formulated to zap fleas and ticks on contact, stopping infestations in their tracks and shielding your pet from all kinds of nasty diseases.But fleas and ticks aren't the only villains lurking in the shadows. With warmer weather comes an increase in mosquito activity, and that means the risk of heartworm disease skyrockets. Heartworm disease is a potentially deadly condition transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Once those pesky parasites make their way into your pet's system, they can wreak havoc on their heart, lungs, and other vital organs, leading to serious health issues. Needless to say, protecting your pet from these heart-wrenching parasites is a top priority!Thankfully, PetMeds has you covered with a variety of heartworm prevention products, including Heartgard Plus and Trifexis. These monthly medications are a breeze to administer and are incredibly effective at keeping heartworms at bay. By staying on top of your pet's heartworm prevention, you can give them the gift of year-round protection and ensure peace of mind for yourself.So as you gear up for some fun in the sun, don't forget to arm your pet with the best defense against fleas, ticks, and heartworms with PetMeds. Your furry friend will thank you with plenty of tail wags, purrs, and maybe even a slobbery kiss or two!Why PetMeds?

Can I Use Human Hair Shampoo to Wash My Dog?

Making sure your pet’s hygiene is up to standards is an important thing, but you have to be careful about how you go about it. There aren’t a lot of important rules to consider when doggo baths are considered, but you should pay special attention to the type of shampoo that you use. If you are all out of pet shampoo, and you are thinking that a little bit of human shampoo won’t make a difference – think again. Using human hair shampoo on your dog is not recommended, and the reasons for this are many, including negative effects on your pet’s overall health and the quality of their skin and coat. Here’s what you should know before you reach for your shampoo when bathing your pooch.Why You Shouldn’t Use Human Shampoo On DogsThe first and foremost thing you have to consider is pH balance. Human shampoos are formulated to match the pH level of human skin. However, that level is totally different for dogs. Because of this, human shampoo can greatly disrupt the natural pH levels of a dog’s skin, ultimately leading to rashes, irritation, and skin diseases. And the same goes for the ingredients in that shampoo.  Dog shampoos have totally different ingredients compared to human shampoos. The latter has many chemicals that are considered too harsh for dogs. Dogs are prone to skin allergies and sensitivities, and some of the ingredients in human shampoos could make these issues much worse. The allergies can also be triggered by the strong fragrances of human-grade shampoos, which dogs can’t really stand. You should also take into account that a dog’s coat and human hair are totally different. While human shampoos are meant to lather well on hair, they’ll be too soapy for dogs. Rinsing out human shampoo from a dog can be a challenge, and a lot of chemicals can stay trapped in the coat and absorbed through the skin. Ultimately, all of this can leave your dog’s coat damaged, their skin irritated, and their health vulnerable to viruses and skin-borne infections. 

What Is Dog Folliculitis and How to Treat It?

Folliculitis in dogs is a disease which causes infection or inflammation of hair follicles. It is one of the more common skin diseases amongst dogs and is caused by bacteria, fungal infections, skin irritations, or  parasites. What is more, it can affect dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds, so if it happens to your four-legged friend unexpectedly, it is best to know how to treat this pesky skin issue.What Is Dog Folliculitis?The symptoms and causes of dog folliculitis can vary. In most cases, the healthy follicle is “compromised”, which leads to the accumulation of bacteria that are otherwise normally found on your pet’s skin. The end result is great discomfort for your dog, and it should be treated as quickly as possible. But how will you know that it is dog folliculitis and not some other health issue? Well, one of the foremost symptoms to look out for is red and inflamed skin. This condition causes excessive redness and even swelling in certain areas of the skin. This should be a telltale sign that something is amiss. Together with this, you could notice pimples, also known as pustules. They are small raised bumps and often contain pus. Of course, your dog will show signs of discomfort as well. They will try to itch and  lick the affected areas, in hopes of relieving the discomfort and making themselves more comfortable. This can all be accompanied by hair loss, mostly in the directly affected areas of your dog’s coat and skin. Ultimately, in the most severe cases, open sores, scabs, and skin lesions may appear. At this point, veterinary care is needed immediately.If you suspect your dog has folliculitis, it's crucial to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can perform diagnostic tests, such as skin scrapings or cultures, to identify the specific cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. It is crucial that you do not attempt any solution on your own. Self-diagnosis and do-it-yourself treatment can lead to complications or ineffective outcomes, so professional guidance is essential. Based on the evaluation, your vet can introduce a number of treatments and solutions – here’s what to expect.How Is Dog Folliculitis Treated?Topical antibiotics and antifungal creams are the most common treatment options. They are applied directly to the affected areas and are most efficient in early and moderate cases of dog folliculitis. Of course, if the case with your dog is more serious, your vet could propose an oral treatment. This consists of special medications that work to eliminate the infection at the core. Another possible solution is using special medicated shampoos that work to heal the follicles through gentle washing. 

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