Taking the Trick Out of Treats

With Halloween and the holidays fast approaching, we want to celebrate with the whole family including our pets, so here are some fun, nutritious, and delicious ideas to let your pet share in the festivities. These are intended as occasional treats for healthy pets on a nutritionally-balanced diet.

BIRD TREATS:

Mixing up a batch of Harrison’s Bird Foods Bird Bread is quick and easy, and you can customize the mix with added chopped mixed vegetables, chili peppers, and bits of dried fruit to add color, flavor, and texture. Birds love chili peppers, and can’t feel the heat like we do. You can cut the baked treats into small cubes and spear them on a hanging skewer to add to the foraging fun.

GUINEA PIG/RABBIT TREATS:
1 cup finely chopped hay
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup natural, unsweetened applesauce
Mix and shape into small discs the size of a quarter and bake at 300°F 40-60 minutes until crisp. Cool completely and store refrigerated in airtight container up to 1 week.

RABBIT TREATS:
Fresh Dried Pinecones: https://www.timbercreekfarmer.com/pine-cone-rabbit-treats-keep-bunnies-active/

REPTILE TREATS:

Bearded Dragons:
1 kale leaf, chopped
1 Tbsp. shredded butternut squash
2-4 dried mealworms
1 tsp. bearded dragon pellet diet
Top with calcium/vitamin supplement

Blue Tongue Skinks:
1 Tbsp. diced yellow squash
1 Tbsp. finely chopped melon (honeydew or cantaloupe)
2-4 dried mealworms
2-4 dried shrimp (dice if needed)
Top with calcium/vitamin supplement

Leopard Geckos:
1 live superworm
2 live Dubia roaches
4 dried mealworms
Top with calcium/vitamin supplement

Tortoises:
1 Tbsp. shredded carrot
1 Tbsp. shredded zucchini
1 Tbsp. chopped collard greens
1 tsp. chopped strawberries, blueberries, mango, or apple
Top with calcium/vitamin supplement

We hope these ideas inspire you and help you bring your pets into the celebration!