Peanut Butter Dog Treats Recipe Australia: Ants on a Log

Ants on a Log is the most popular peanut butter dog treats recipe in Australia. Natural Farm 6" Extra Thick Bully Sticks are coated in xylitol-free peanut butter mixed with goat milk kefir, then rolled in chia seeds, flaxseed, and shredded coconut. The seed coating is what gives the recipe its name, the "ants" on the "log".

Prep time 10 minutes, freezes 2 hours, yields 4 to 6 treats at roughly 120 kcal each. The lowest-prep recipe in the cluster, designed for training rewards, off-leash recall practice, and post-walk reward moments.

This guide covers the Ants on a Log recipe for adult dogs (6 months and older) in Australia. For all 3 vet-aligned recipes plus safe ingredient lists, see the Homemade dog treats Australia guide.

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Mix the peanut butter spread

   In a mixing bowl, combine 3 to 4 tablespoons of xylitol-free peanut butter (Mayver's, Pic's, or Bega Smooth) with 2 tablespoons of goat milk kefir. Stir until spreadable. Too thick? Add more kefir. Too runny? Add more peanut butter. Add supplement powder now if using.

2. 2

   Prepare the "ants" topping

   In a separate small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon each of chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and unsweetened shredded coconut. Mix gently. Use ground flaxseed (not whole) for full absorption: whole flaxseed passes through dogs undigested.

3. 3

   Coat the Bully Sticks with spread

   Take each Natural Farm Extra Thick Bully Stick and apply the peanut butter-kefir mixture generously on all sides, like frosting a small cake. The Bully Stick is the "log" base.

4. 4

   Roll in the "ants"

   Roll each coated Bully Stick in the seed and coconut mixture, pressing gently so the toppings stick to the spread. Cover all sides. The visible seeds are what gives the recipe its name.

5. 5

   Freeze 2 hours, then serve or store

   Place coated Bully Sticks on a baking paper-lined tray. Freeze flat for at least 2 hours until the spread is firm. Transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags for storage. Thaw 5 to 10 minutes before serving for easier eating.

When to use as training treats

Ants on a Log is built as a high-value training reward. The peanut butter scent carries across distance, the Bully Stick base keeps the dog engaged, and the seed coating slows down inhalation. Five Aussie scenarios it works well in:

• Recall practice: the peanut butter scent travels across off-leash parks (Centennial Park Sydney, Princes Park Melbourne, New Farm Park Brisbane), making this one of the strongest recall rewards available
• New trick learning: cut into smaller pieces for repeated reward delivery during a single training session
• Jackpot reward: use one whole treat as the reward for a breakthrough behaviour (first successful recall in distraction, perfect leave-it, etc)
• Post-walk reward: end of a 5 km bushwalk or beach visit, served frozen
• Multi-dog play groups: yields 4 to 6, sized for a small group

Variations

Adapt the recipe to your dog's allergies, sensitivities, or chewing style.

Storage tips

Safety and ingredient notes

Why Bully Sticks, not biscuits or commercial training treats

Commercial training treats and biscuits typically contain wheat fillers, sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavours. Natural Farm Bully Sticks are single-ingredient grass-fed beef pizzle, ~93% protein, fully digestible, slow-roasted for 72 hours with no chemicals or preservatives. After the spread is eaten, the Bully Stick continues as a long-lasting chew. One treat doubles as training reward and enrichment chew.

Toxic foods to keep out of the recipe

Xylitol (artificial sweetener common in "sugar-free" peanut butter brands) is deadly to dogs. Always check the label, even on brands you trust. Avoid sultanas, raisins, chocolate, grapes, onion, garlic, and macadamia nuts. The original human "ants on a log" recipe uses sultanas as the "ants": never use sultanas in the dog version. Full list: RSPCA Australia poisonous substances guide.

Why each ingredient matters

• Bully Sticks: ~93% protein from grass-fed beef, fully digestible, tends to support dental health through chewing.
• Peanut butter: protein, healthy fats, vitamins B and E. High-value scent for training rewards.
• Goat milk kefir: probiotics for gut health, easier to digest than cow's milk for dogs with dairy sensitivities.
• Flaxseed and chia seeds: omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat, fibre for digestion, antioxidants.
• Shredded coconut: medium-chain fatty acids, fibre, vitamins. Adds visible "snow" texture for photo presentation.

Part of the Natural Farm Australia dog treats recipes cluster. The pillar overview is the Homemade dog treats Australia guide, covering safe ingredients, foods to avoid, and all three recipes side by side. The two sibling recipes are Frozen Bully Pupsicles (for hot Aussie summers) and Doggy Crostini (the presentation-grade party treat).