healthy homemade dog treats book

Healthy Homemade Dog Treats: More than 70 Simple & Delicious Treats for Your Furry Best Friend

But we also know if youre faced with a dog treat recipe that calls for eight obscure ingredients, requires forty minutes of prep, and still ends up looking a brown, crumbly messyoure reaching for that bag of ready-made dog treats faster than we can say fetch.

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson puts the fun back into dog treatswith easy, everyday recipes for go-to pet treats youll actually be bothered to make (and find yourself using over and over again). These nutritious, delicious, budget friendly, and oh-so-simple-to-make dog treat recipes include:

• Tasty Kong stuffers and healthy chews to keep your pup entertained while you go to work
• Easy, no-bake bliss balls that pull double duty as training treats
• Yummy biscuits that help freshen your doggos breath
• A whole section devoted to birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, of course
• And so much more!

With a huge variety of treats to reward, train, and pamper, every recipe is designed to make life easier and sweeter for you and your dog. Packed with mouth-watering images, easy step-by-step instructions, handy hints, allergy alternatives, nutritional info, and more,

is the must-have recipe handbook for every dog owner.

105 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes: Healthy & Super-Woof Easy

105 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes: Healthy & Super-Woof Easy

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Updated on October 22, 2022

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Patty Oelze is a freelance writer who is also in the process of getting her PhD in Psychology. She has been writing about dogs and other critters for about 10 years and has a plethora of animals at her home including several cats, some chipmunks, a dozen raccoons, two foxes, one coyote, and herds of deer. She and her husband have been living in the Missouri Ozarks for years where she enjoys taking care of wildlife, fishing, photography, boating, and of course, writing.

Healthy Homemade Dog Treats: More than 70 Simple & Delicious Treats for Your Furry Best Friend

Say hello to your beautiful, modern dog treat bible!We know you love your dog. We know you want whats best for them.But we also know if youre faced with a dog treat recipe that calls for eight obscure ingredients, requires forty minutes of prep, and still ends up looking a brown, crumbly messyoure reaching for that bag of ready-made dog treats faster than we can say fetch.Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson puts the fun back into dog treatswith easy, everyday recipes for go-to pet treats youll actually be bothered to make (and find yourself using over and over again). These nutritious, delicious, budget friendly, and oh-so-simple-to-make dog treat recipes include: Tasty Kong stuffers and healthy chews to keep your pup entertained while you go to work Easy, no-bake bliss balls that pull double duty as training treats Yummy biscuits that help freshen your doggos breath A whole section devoted to birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, of course And so much more! With a huge variety of treats to reward, train, and pamper, every recipe is designed to make life easier and sweeter for you and your dog. Packed with mouth-watering images, easy step-by-step instructions, handy hints, allergy alternatives, nutritional info, and more, Homemade Dog Treats is the must-have recipe handbook for every dog owner.

The seven best healthy dog treats, according to a vet

Does your dog need treats?

Fortunately, many dog treats are nutritious, so dog treats can be part of a balanced diet for your pup. Dog treats are especially helpful when you are training your dog or rewarding them for good behavior. If your dog has food allergies, youll need to pay close attention to treat ingredients, and dogs that are overweight or with certain medical conditions should only follow a veterinarian-recommended diet and may not be allowed to have treats.

Choosing healthy treats for your doggie

When your best friend learns a new trick or behaves really well at the dog park, its tempting to reach for the first treats you can find to praise them. But not all treats are a good reward for good behavior. Unfortunately, some treats may have questionable ingredients or high-calorie counts that can be detrimental to your pups health. To keep your pup healthy and following good nutrition, opt for healthy treats instead.

What to look for in healthy dog treats

If youre ready to start shopping for healthy dog treats for your best friend, there are several things to keep in mind. Take a close look at labels to evaluate the ingredients and calories, but also keep things like size and texture in mind.

Ingredients. One of the most important things to look for in healthy treats is the ingredients list. Stick to treats with an ingredients list of whole, natural foods. Many treats include healthy ingredients like meat, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Our vets also recommend treats with fish or salmon, because omega-3 fatty acids can help with brain and eye development in puppies or boost cognitive function in older dogs.

Brand. Some brands offer higher quality dog treats than others. Our veterinary team trusts brands like Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet/Hills, and Royal Canin. They all avoid cross-contamination between foods and treats during manufacturing.

Calories. Generally, treats should be just that treats! Treats should make up less than 10% of your dogs daily calories, so read the label for the calorie amount per treat and stick to the correct portion sizes.

Texture. You want to choose treats that arent too hard, otherwise, they can pose a choking hazard. Hard treats are difficult for a dog to bite into, so they might only be able to bite them into large pieces, which are hard to swallow. Too-hard treats can also fracture your dogs teeth.

Size. Treats can be a choking hazard if they are too large or too small for your dog. Opt for small treats for puppies or small dogs. Large dogs may enjoy large treats, but also make sure to keep an eye out. Even large dogs can choke on treats that are too big.

Labels. Treats labeled as all-natural can be misleading, as the treats may still be highly processed.

If your dog is overweight or has dietary restrictions, youll need to scrutinize the treat labels very carefully.

Types of dog treats to avoid

There are many popular treats out there that arent good for any dogs. Here are some common treats to stay away from.

Rawhides. Rawhides are inexpensive treats with little nutritional value. Some rawhides are treated with toxins like formaldehyde and bleach. They also pose a huge choking risk as they break down into pieces over time. However, some rawhide-like products, such as Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz, are VOHC-approved and safe for consumption.

Animal bones. Sure, bones are all-natural but they can be covered in pathogens, such as E. Coli and salmonella. Some people may suggest boiling the bones to sanitize them, but this process actually makes the bones brittle and more likely to splinter. This is a choking hazard for dogs, and splinters and sharp pieces can puncture the intestines.

Jerky-type treats. Since 2007, the FDA has received reports of sick pets after consuming jerky pet treats. Learn more about their ongoing investigationTrusted SourceU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Government agency.Go to source and how theyre testing treats to determine why some jerky treats are making pets sick. While these cases are rare, we recommend avoiding jerky-type treats especially with so many other great options on the market.

Treats with additives. We like treats that dont contain lots of additives or artificial colors. Some additives, such as Red#3, used for coloring or preservatives have been linked to cancer in animalsTrusted SourcePubMed CentralArchive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature.Go to source.

Toxic human food. While dogs may love chicken and sweet potatoes as we do, there are many foods that humans eat that are not suitable for dogs. While you treat yourself with chocolate, you cant do the same for your pup, because the chemicals in chocolate can cause seizures and increased heart rates in dogs. Instead, you can give your dog human food treats like some fresh fruits and vegetables (avoid grapes and items with seeds or pits), like watermelon, broccoli, green beans, bananas, or carrots.

Can you make DIY treats at home?

Its easy to make DIY dog treats at home, and you might be surprised to find your mouth watering as the smell of our favorite peanut butter and oatmeal cookies (yes, these really are for your pup!) fills your kitchen. Making treats at home means you can customize the ingredients based on your dogs dietary needs and flavor preferences. Try one of our tried-and-true all-natural pet treat recipes for your best friend.

Your Dog Will Love These Homemade Vet-Approved Dog Treat Recipes!

There are thousands of dog treat products on the market, so why on earth would anyone consider making her own? For starters, when you make your own dog treats, you have control over what ingredients are included. Want another reason to make these vet-approved dog treats? The recipes are quick, easy, and fun!

Apple Pretzels Recipe for Dogs

The recipe may look like it has a lot of steps, but this 3-ingredient baked treat is easy to make. And, if you've ever made pretzels, you know they're fun to roll and twist. You can even make your own crazy shapes. Your dog wont care how you twist them hell love the taste.

Ingredients 3 cups almond flour 1 egg 1 cup plain, unsweetened applesauce

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside 3. Beat egg and set aside 4. Mix applesauce and almond flour in a large bowl 5. Pour 1 tablespoon of the egg into a bowl and set aside 6. Pour the rest of the egg into the bowl with mixed ingredients 7. Stir the mixture until a dough forms 8. Take a two-tablespoon-size piece of dough and roll into a tube 9. Take each tube and make into a U shape, then twist the ends together and fold back to the top to make a pretzel shape 10. Place the pretzels onto the baking tray 11. Brush the top of each pretzel with the remaining egg 12. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, until they're slightly browned and firm 13. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving

Blackberry Biscuit Dog Treats Recipe

Pick up some extra blackberries next time youre at the farmers market to make these vet-approved blackberry biscuits for your dog. Your dog will love them . . . and you may even be tempted to take a bite!

Ingredients 4 cups almond flour cup flax meal cup blackberries cup extra virgin olive oil 1 egg

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper 3. Mix all ingredients together with 1 cup water to form a dough 4. Roll dough until 1/4-inch thick 5. Cut out biscuits with small cookie cutter 6. Re-roll remaining dough and cut out more biscuits 7. Place biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet 8. Bake for 30 minutes, until nicely browned and firm 9. Remove biscuits from oven and allow to cool before serving

Mini Omelette Recipe for Dogs

What, you may ask, makes this omelette different from one youd make for yourself? Maybe only the absence of spices, herbs, and butter. Your dog wont miss that stuff hell love this healthy treat. He'll be so busy gobbling it down that he won't mind if you make one for yourself.

Ingredients 2 eggs Eggs are a great source of protein and can help an upset stomach. However, eating raw egg whites can give dogs biotin deficiency, so be sure to cook the eggs all the way through before giving them to your pet. cup cooked salmon, thinly sliced, OR pulled grilled chicken Salmon is loaded with vitamins and protein. Make sure chicken is skinless and boneless. green pepper, diced Bell peppers provide beta-carotene and are high in vitamin C.

Directions 1. Lightly grease frying pan with a small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil 2. Turn the heat for the frying pan to medium/high 3. Crack eggs into a bowl and stir with fork until mixed 4. Once the frying pan is heated, gently pour the mixed eggs into the center of the frying pan 5. Tilt the pan to spread the egg mixture evenly 6. Once the egg is halfway firm, sprinkle on the green pepper and salmon or grilled chicken 7. With a spatula, fold the egg in half and allow to heat until egg appears to be firm 8. Remove omelet from pan and place on plate 9. Allow to cool and serve

Frozen Meat Treats Recipe for Dogs

Chicken and carrots are two of dogs favorite foods. This vet-approved frozen meat treat adds another a little yogurt. Freeze the treats in ice cube trays, and youll have a ready-made treat for your dog anytime.

Ingredients 2 cups grilled chicken Make sure chicken is skinless and boneless. plain low-fat or fat-free yogurt Do not use yogurt with xylitol, and do not use at all if dog is lactose intolerant. 1 carrot If your dog is diabetic, use a smaller amount. 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions 1. Stir all the ingredients together 2. Freeze in ice cube trays 3. For small dogs, you can pour the mixture into a piping bag and pipe little droplets onto a parchment-lined baking sheet before freezing

Red, White, and Blue Yogurt Popsicles Recipe for Dogs

Made with fresh berries, these patriotic popsicles can be a Fourth of July treat for your dog. And theyll be just as good on any hot day. As a plus, they're quick and easy to make.

Ingredients 1 cup whole blueberries Blueberries are high in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. 1/2 cup chopped strawberries Strawberries are high in sugar. Use small amounts if your dog is diabetic. 1 cup plain yogurt Do not use yogurt containing xylitol. Do not use if your dog is lactose intolerant.

Directions 1. Gently mix all ingredients together in a bowl 2. Pour mixture into ice cube tray or large mold 3. Freeze for at least 4-to-5 hours 4. Remove one popsicle, and let your dog enjoy!