natural healthy homemade dog treats

12 Healthy Homemade Dog Treats to Make Your Pup Happy

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If you have dogs, you know that theyre joyful members of the family. My dogs get extra treats on all the holidays. But not all dog treats are healthy for your dog, and some are tastier and healthier than others.

Different dogs like different flavors. One of my dogs loves carrots, while the other will only eat them if hes worried the other dog will steal them.

One of the best ways to have special treats for your pup is to make them. That way, the treat is catered to your dogs taste and health needs. Youll also avoid all the additives that store-bought dog treats can contain.

I love making cute, cut-out dog treats for our pets. The kids and I set aside a few cookie-making days at the end of the holiday baking. We always mix up a few batches of homemade dog treats.

Getting Started

Making healthy homemade dog treats from scratch is a lot easier than it sounds. There are a few basic recipes that you can alter depending on what you have on hand. The ingredients are simple and easy to find.

Most dog treats contain peanut butter, pumpkin, oats, water or broth, and some kind of flour. Many recipes add in extras like cheese, apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, and carrots.

Apart from these basic ingredients, youll need a bowl and spoon, cookie sheets and baking parchment, a rolling pin, and cookie cutters. I like using a classic dog bone-shaped cookie cutter for basic homemade dog treats and more extravagant ones for special events.

You will want to ensure that all these tools and ingredients are clean and safe for your pet. Be aware that some brands of peanut butter contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which are toxic to your dog. Stick to a natural peanut butter that is unsweetened.

Peanut butter and pumpkin are some of the most popular flavor combinations, but mixing up basic homemade dog treats doesnt require anything fancy.

The Great Flour Debate

There is some controversy about wheat for dogs. Dogs can safely consume flour unless they have a grain or gluten sensitivity. I use whole wheat flour in all my dog treats, and my pups handle it well.

But for some people, it just seems safer to err on the side of caution and only use beans, peas, oats, or barley flour in their dog treats. If you want to go that route, thats totally fine.

Despite what people on both sides may say, theres no right or wrong decision here. Do what seems best for your pet and your budget. Some dogs may be more willing to try new things than others. If you have a picky dog, stick to familiar flavors.

Moderation is Important

I have to tell my dad this every time he visits. Hed give the dogs five treats a day if I let him. Remember that your dogs rely on you to moderate their diets.

In the wild, canines eat huge meals and digest slowly without eating for days. Your pup still has the instinct to over-eat whenever he can. But since hes also getting fed regularly, he doesnt need all the extra calories.

Dont overindulge your pet. One or two homemade dog treats a day is fine. Or, you can make tiny training treats and give him more of that smaller treat.

If youre baking larger treats but want to break them up to maintain portion sizes, try scoring them with a knife to make it easier to break them into bite-sized pieces. This is especially helpful if youve got tiny dogs or if your dog is overweight.

Storing Homemade Treats

Many plain, homemade dog treats can be stored in a jar on the counter easily. Or, re-use an old dog biscuit box. Some recipes call for a glaze or icing that is usually not as shelf-stable. Many of these treats should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.Moist, meaty dog treats should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator or freezer. Unfrozen, they should be used within a month unless the recipe says they have a longer or shorter shelf life.

Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

There are so many homemade dog treats to choose from. I prefer these easy-to-store recipes, but there are so many options.

1. Basic Peanut Butter Pumpkin

This recipe from a Pinch of Yum is so easy, and all dogs love the flavor of these tasty treats. There is even an option for a bacon glaze to add extra flavor to these homemade treats. But remember, once you glaze them, they should be kept in the refrigerator.

2. The Easiest Dog Treats

This recipe from Puppy Leaks is simple and basic, with only 3-4 ingredients. I like to use broth instead of water to moisten this dough, but either way, my dogs love them.

This recipe produces simple, tasty treats that hold up well to rolling and cutting into shapes. I can even use some of my larger cookie cutters with this recipe.

3. Basic Beef Biscuit

This simple recipe by Kitchen Confidante made with beef broth is an excellent option for a higher-value treat for your dog. My dogs definitely think theyre getting food from the table.

Theyre easy-to-make homemade dog treats and perfect for beginners. But I promise, youre pups will think youre a pro!

4. Banana Biscuits

My son loves bananas, but he doesnt always eat the whole bunch before they transition from perfect to scary. And sometimes, Im not up for making more banana bread. Enter these homemade dog treats.

But these banana-peanut butter biscuits from It Doesnt Taste Like Chicken are an easy option for using up old bananas and treating the dogs to something fun.

5. Chicken and Beet Biscuits

These bright pink homemade dog treats from Three Little Ferns are delicious. Theyre fun and colorful, besides being full of vitamins and minerals. The color makes them perfect for Valentines Day and Christmas treats.

6. No Bake Dog Treats

No-bake homemade dog treats can be a great way to make a batch of dog treats for hot summer days. These simple refrigerator treats from Sunny Day Family are a great way to help your pups cool off in the hot weather. No-bake treats are an easy first project for kids as well.

7. No-Bake Pumpkin Treats

I love mixing up these frozen homemade dog treats from Communikait during the hottest summer days. They are so easy to make, with just two ingredients, and so cooling and refreshing to your pups in the summer.

Our dogs have heavy coats, and in the summer, they are panting in the heat. But these yogurty treats are perfect for cooling them off and boosting their nutrients.

8. Bacon Peanut Butter Treats

Dogs may love peanut butter, but they love bacon even more. If youre looking for a high-value training treat, bake up a big batch of these bacony treats from Sallys Baking Addiction.

I like to cut them into small shapes, and I have some fantastic vintage mini-cutters that are perfect for the job. But you can also use the scoring technique mentioned above to make your treats easy to break.

9. Chicken and Wild Rice Treats

These are a dog treats that are almost a mini meal. Nourishing chicken and nutrient-dense wild rice make up this truly decadent treat from Carries Experimental Kitchen.

If youre working within a budget, you can substitute more affordable brown rice for wild rice. These treats are so healthy and nutritious that I will sometimes use them as a replacement meal for my smaller dogs afternoon feeding, especially if Im training her.

10. Flea Prevention No-Bake Treats

Coconut oil and brewers yeast can help a dog naturally resist fleas. These treats from Nutrition Starts in the Kitchen add those flea-fighting ingredients together to create a simple, two-ingredient treat that dogs actually love.

I was surprised when I first made these treats for my dogs because neither ingredient seems particularly good on its own, but they really do eat them up.

11. Deep-Calm Dog Treats

Some dogs struggle with anxiety. Rescue dogs are often susceptible to stress and uncertainty, especially with new changes at home.

These restful treats from Nellie Bellie combine chamomile and lavender with dog-friendly flavors to create a restful, calming treat.

You can even add a small amount of liquid melatonin to this recipe, in extreme cases, to help a dog whose anxiety is becoming overwhelming. Remember to talk to your vet about appropriate dosing based on your dogs age and body weight.

12. Pretzel Treats

Pretzel dog treats from the Cookie Rookie dont even need cookie cutters to look cute. Simply mix up the apple and oat dough, roll it into little ropes, and fold your pretzels. These treats look especially good with a bit of egg, bacon, or another simple, dog-friendly glaze.

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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:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Blend the bacon and eggs.
3. Add flour. Stir in water if the batter needs to thin.
4. Smooth the batter over the baking mat and bake for 8 minutes.
5. 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:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Blend chicken and eggs in a food processor.
3. 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.
4. Spread the batter onto the silicone mold on a cookie sheet, making sure its in the holes, and then scrape it off the dividers.
5. Bake for 12 minutes.
6. Once cooled, turn over the mold and dump the treats out.
7. 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:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mix the ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into the pan.
4. Bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are soft but still drawing away from the side of the pan.
5. 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:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
2. 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.
3. Space biscuits 1 inch apart on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
4. 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.