Spoil Your Pup With These Homemade Dog Treats!
If your dog loves treats as much as mine does, they can get expensive (not to mention the neighbor dogs who drop by for a little treat, too). But do you really know what’s in those dog biscuits? When it comes to human treats, the best tasting ones are always homemade. So why would that be any different for dog treats? Check out these recipe ideas for homemade dog treats that your pup will sure to be drooling over
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Why Should I Make My Own Homemade Dog Treats?
You can control what goes into the recipe, so you’ll know your dog is getting a wholesome and nutritious snack. If your dog has any dietary restrictions or taste preferences like being grain-free or dairy-free, it can be as simple as adapting the recipe!
By making your own treats, you’re avoiding all of those potential additives like artificial preservatives you’ll find in store-bought biscuits that extend their shelf life. You’ll also avoid any fillers or byproducts that may be in those boxes of treats!
With homemade DIY dog treats, you’re also providing your pet with a tasty alternative to their usual treats, and they’ll be sure to appreciate some variety! Or, if you have a new puppy, you may find that homemade training treats are a must.
To make your dog treats a little cuter, try using a bone-shaped cookie cutter or baking with one of these fun molds.
Recipe Ideas for Homemade Dog Treats
Whether they’re crispy and crunchy or soft-baked, try out these yummy baked treats for your perfect pup:
Peanut butter pumpkin dog treats: Whisk together 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup canned pumpkin, 2 tbsp peanut butter, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a bowl. Add water if needed to work the dough, but it should be dry and stiff. Roll into a 1/2 inch thick roll and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Bake on parchment paper at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes (until hard). Store in an airtight container for freshness!
Peanut butter banana dog treats: 3 ingredients? Yes, please! Smush together 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (pulsed in the food processor into oat flour), 1/2 cups natural peanut butter, 1 large ripe banana. Add 1-2 more tbsp of peanut butter if it’s too crumbly. Roll into 1/4 inch thick slab and use cookie cutters to make it into fun shapes! Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, until they’re brown on the bottom. These treats are so wholesome; they’re good for humans too!
Carrot cake dog treats: While peanut butter dog treats may be all the rage, carrots are my dog’s snack of choice. Check out these treats that are heartily approved by my pup.
Pumpkin Carrot Homemade Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pure canned pumpkin
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
Instructions
Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Stir pumpkin, egg, carrots and flour in a large bowl until combined.
- Roll the batter into small balls and place on a baking sheet and bake for 30 – 35 minutes.
Nutrition
Non-biscuit Dog Treats
Sweet potato jerky dog chews: One ingredient? These are so easy-to-make, it’s ridiculous! Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the sweet potatoes into slices (coins to small dogs, but you can also do lengthwise for larger dogs.) Don’t make the pieces too thin, or they’ll get too crispy– no thinner than 1/4 inch. Arrange in a layer on the baking sheet and bake for 2 1/2- 3 hours. Flip once halfway through. Let them cool and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
Peanut Butter Pupcakes: Okay, I just really like the word “pupcakes.” They’re perfect for a doggie birthday or just any special occasion. Stir together 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter, 2 tbsp oil, 1 mashed banana, 2 tbsp honey, 1/2 cup of unbleached flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp baking powder, and evenly distribute into a muffin pan. Bake 10-20 minutes, until evenly browned or a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool, then top with a cream cheese/banana/peanut butter frosting.
Pupsicles: With 2 Apples, 1 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt, and water, you can make a cold treat paw-fect for a hot day playing in the sun. Pop your ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulse until completely, then pour into molds or ice cube trays and freeze! @LifeWithCamille uses 1/2 banana, 3/4 cup blueberries, and 3/4 cup greek yogurt in her recipe (see image below). They sound so good we would have trouble staying away from those treats ourselves.
Store-bought Dog Treats That Are Worthy Opponents
While baking your own dog treats may be a fun activity every once in a while, if you’re looking for some healthy store-bought options, here are some of our recommendations:
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Dog Treats: These are the #1 best selling dog treats on Amazon with over 26,000 reviews! With simple, wholesome ingredients, your dog will love training and practicing new tricks.
Old Mother Hubbard P-Nuttier Crunchy Classic Natural Dog Treats: These yummy biscuit recipes include wholesome natural ingredients such as real peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Each biscuit is slowly oven-baked to preserve the natural flavors.
Blue Buffalo Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats: BLUE Bits are tender, bite-sized morsels that are the perfect size for training. With added DHA to help support cognitive development, they’re an ideal puppy treat.
Three Barks for Baking!
My dog loves a Milk-Bone just like every other, but there’s a neighbor up the street who makes her own homemade dog biscuits. Whenever we walk past her house, he’ll sit in the driveway and refuse to budge until she’s appeared through the garage with his special treat. This dog is spoiled rotten, but I don’t blame him. Home-baked is always superior. If you want to make your own dog food, too, check out some of our best recipe suggestions here! And your canine is sure to appreciate the extra special attention. If your pup is learning tricks with their new treats, be sure to share the pics and videos on FamilyApp with the people you love!
