healthy natural dog treats recipes
All-Natural Easy Dog Treat Recipes for Healthy Dogs
Feeding your dog a high quality diet rich in vitamins and nutrients is the best choice for their health, and it's simple with these easy dog treat recipes.
Feeding your puppynatural foods from easy dog treat recipes is a much better option than the processed junk that you can buy in stores. Unless it's one of the best healthy dog food brands, or some of the higher quality natural dog treats, it's simply not worth it. Processed treats are full of artificial ingredients that can wreak havoc on your dogs body. An overall better choice is to make your own natural treats usingeasy dog treat recipes.
All-Natural Easy Dog Treat Recipes for Healthy Dogs
It is likely that once you start making your own dog treats from easy dog treat recipes, you will want to begin experimenting with other ingredients, but be sure that you are using beneficial ingredients that are as close to the original food as possible; the least amount of processed ingredients you use, the better. To get you started on creating some delicious all-natural healthy dog treats, you can try one of these easy dog treat recipes.
Bacon Peanut Butter Biscuits dog treat recipe
- 2 pieces of cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/8 cup of bacon grease
- cup of wheat bran
- cup of all-natural peanut butter
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- cup of ground flax
- 2 tsp. of baking powder
- cup of water
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, and follow theeasy dog treat recipes advice below.
Step 1: Whisk together baking powder, flour, wheat bran, ground flax, and bacon in a large bowl.
Step 2: Warm the peanut butter for about 30 seconds in the microwave. In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter with the egg, water, and bacon grease. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the peanut butter mixture to it. Stir until they are completely combined.
Step 3: Lightly knead the dough until smooth. Roll it out on a piece of parchment paper until it is about -inch thick. Cut shapes out of the dough with cookie cutters and place them on a greased cookie sheet.
Step 4: Bake for 15 minutes. Gather the dough, knead it until smooth, and repeat the process until the dough is gone.
You can keep these treats in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, and you can freeze them for up to six months.
Cherry Oatmeal Muffinsdog treat recipe
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- tsp. of cinnamon
- 1 tsp. of baking powder
- cup of buttermilk
- cup applesauce (unsweetened)
- 1 slightly beaten egg
- 1 cup of frozen cherries, chopped
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Step 1: Spray a mini muffin tray with nonstick spray and dust it with flour.
Step 2: Mix Flour, oats, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium size bowl.
Step 3: In a separate bowl combine the buttermilk, applesauce, and egg. Pour this mixture into the oat mixture and stir only until just moist.
Step 4: Mix in the cherries. They can go in frozen.
Step 5: Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full and bake for 15-20 minutes.
These can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months. It's also one of my favoriteeasy dog treat recipes.
Chicken Liver Snaps dog treat recipe
- 1 pound of chicken livers, finely chopped
- cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- cup of chicken broth
- 2 large eggs
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Step 1: Combine all the ingredients until the chicken liver is coated completely. The dough should feel stiff, but if its too dry you can add a little more chicken broth.
Step 2: Form the dough into marble-sized balls and place them on a well-greased cookie sheet. Press a small indentation into the top of each ball with a spoon and a few drops of chicken broth to each snap.
Step 3: Bake for 8-10 minutes.
These can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one month.
105 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes: Healthy & Super-Woof Easy
105 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes: Healthy & Super-Woof Easy
|
Updated on
Fluent Woof is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
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.
How to Make Homemade Dog Treats
When your dog is a picky eater or has a restrictive diet,it can be tough finding yummy treats that are inexpensive. Thankfully, almost anyone can make homemade dog treats from the comforts of their kitchens, including the popular pyramid dog treats that make lots of tiny treats in one batch.
Homemade dog treats have benefits beyond being budget-friendly. With DIY treats, you know exactly what foods your dog is eating. Along with being free from harmful ingredients, homemade dog snacks can make great training treats, especially when made in smaller sizes.But before whipping out your cookie sheet and mixer, be sure to check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog has no allergies to any ingredients.
For owners interested in making homemade dog treats, weve put together some of our favorite baking accessories, tips, and must-try recipes.
Homemade Pyramid Dog Treats
Pyramid dog treats are homemade dog treats that are made with asilicone pyramid baking sheet. While these easy-to-clean silicone baking sheets werent originally made for dog treats, theyve become popular among dog lovers because they can make big batches of small treats appropriate for training sessions. The recipes for these kinds of treats usually call for tapioca flour, which helps the treats stay together without crumbling. Tapioca flour is an ingredient that agrees with most dogs.
When you flip over the baking sheet, you can fill it with a range of recipes that will easily pop out from the silicone sheet once youre finished. Some molds can make up to 500 treats in one batch! Along with the basic pyramid mold, there are also a lot of fun different shapes of silicone sheet molds to try. Here are some baking sheets to try out.
This simple, pyramid-shaped mat will make treats that pop out easily and clean up quickly.
If youre looking for something a little more traditional, these mini dog bones are perfect for DIY dog treats.
These paw molds are safe to use in the oven, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher. Plus, the silicone material means wet ingredients wont stick to the mold.
Want to have a lot of fun shapes and sizes? This pack comes with a range of molds, including hearts, bears, stars, and shells.
Key Ingredients for Homemade Dog Treats
Another great thing about making homemade dog treats is that you probably already have most of the key ingredients in your house. Many recipes require things such as oatmeal, eggs, flour, water, or broth. Add some flavor as well as vitamins, protein, and fiber with peanut butter (free of artificial sweeteners likexylitol), pureed pumpkin, apples, carrots, sweet potato, and cheese to create delicious cookies any dog would love.
Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Once you order a pan, try out some of these popular recipes. From bacon treats to peanut butter, here are some popular pyramid dog treat recipes for beginners to try.
Bacon Pyramid Pan Treats
Does your dog love bacon? Try this simple bacon dog treats recipe by Michelle Taylor. With just four ingredients, this is a great homemade treat for beginners, one that your dog is sure to love.
Ingredients:
- package of bacon
- 2 eggs
- 150 grams ofgluten-free flour
- Water (to thin)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Blend the bacon and eggs.
- Add flour. Stir in water if the batter needs to thin.
- Smooth the batter over the baking mat and bake for 8 minutes.
- Once cooled, cut the treats into bite-sized pieces or dump out.
Baked Chicken Treats
For an easy, no-fuss recipe, try these baked chicken homemade dog treats from Eileen Anderson. Once baked, you can refrigerate or freeze the treats.
Ingredients:
- 110-ounce can of chicken, including liquid
- 2 eggs
- 1 cuptapioca flour
- cup of white flour
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Blend chicken and eggs in a food processor.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl, and stir in flour and oil. This batter should be a little thicker than pancake batter but still pourable.
- Spread the batter onto the silicone mold on a cookie sheet, making sure its in the holes, and then scrape it off the dividers.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Once cooled, turn over the mold and dump the treats out.
- You can bag up the treats and refrigerate or freeze.
Peanut Butter Treats
Peanut butter is a favorite for many dogs, and a common, tasty ingredient in homemade dog treats. If your dog loves that nutty flavor, give these peanut butter treats from Eileen Anderson a try.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- cup peanut butter powder
- cup white flour
- cup tapioca flour
- cup water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Mix the ingredients until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the pan.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are soft but still drawing away from the side of the pan.
- Once cooled, stretch the pan and dump the treats out.
Apple-Cheddar Dog Biscuits
To make something a little different and mix in some unique ingredients, take a look at this recipe for apple-cheddar dog biscuits from Martha Stewart.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups barley flour
- cup old-fashioned oatmeal
- cup shredded cheddar cheese
- cup grated Parmesan cheese
- cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to -inch thick. Remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
- Space biscuits 1 inch apart on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
- Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off the oven and place biscuits on a wire rack in the oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Cheese and Sardine Pyramid Pan Dog Treats
These tasty dog treats by Michelle Taylor only have a handful of ingredients and are easy to make. Sardines are a great single-ingredient source of protein, and many dogs cant resist cheese. Its a win-win.
Ingredients:
1 can of sardines 2 eggs 150 grams of grated Parmesan cheese Handful of roasted vegetables 75 grams of tapioca flour (or plain flour) Water
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 320F.2. Blend all the ingredients in a blender to make a thick batter. Add water as needed to make thicker.3. Smooth the mixture over the baking mat and bake for about 15 minutes or until crispy.4. Once cooled, cut into small pieces.
Remember, you should always check with your vet before giving your dog anything other than dog food, commercial dog treats, and prescribed medication. Once youre in the clear, purchase a fun baking sheet, try a recipe, and rest easy knowing exactly what youre feeding your dog.
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.
