There’s a look that every dog owner knows well. You’re eating something and suddenly your dog is right in your lap, staring soulfully into your food with big, juicy eyes and that earth-moving dagger look. Okay, I may have been a little dramatic, but you get it.
I’ve fallen into that trap more times than I’d like to admit, but here’s what really happened when I stopped reaching for my dog’s store-bought bag. I started making homemade dog treats.
Homemade dog treat recipes are really fun to make, and allow you to control everything that goes into your pup’s mouth. No mystery ingredients, no unpronounceable preservatives, and no guessing games. Just good old-fashioned food that your dog is going to flip over.
Why You Should Make Homemade Dog Treats
Hold on for a second while I nerd out about dog food. I started baking for my pup because I wanted to know exactly what she was eating. Trust me, I get that opening up a bag of dog treats is SUPER convenient. But go ahead and pull one of those bags off the shelf and take a look at the ingredient list. Sounds like chemistry homework, right?
When I started researching healthy treats I realized that I already had everything I needed to make dog biscuits WAY better than what I was buying. Now, I love knowing that I can customize her food for her individual needs. If she has a bad stomach day I know I can leave out certain ingredients. If she were to develop allergies, I could easily take care of that too. And she tastes the difference!! When I whip out the baking tray and mixing bowl, her excitement is REAL.
Homemade dog treats are also pretty cheap to make. One batch of biscuits costs just a fraction of what you’d spend at the store, and you end up with way more treats than you would buying prepackaged.
Things to Know Before You Start Baking
Right before we dive into recipes, please know that some human foods are actually bad for dogs. NEVER include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a fake sweetener found in many grocery store items), or macadamia nuts in any dog treat you make.
Instead, focus on dog-friendly ingredients like peanut butter (make sure there’s no xylitol in it!!), oats, bananas, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, apples (no seeds), eggs, and unsweetened Greek yogurt. You probably have most of these things in your kitchen already.
Also keep in mind that treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily calories. They’re called treats for a reason — don’t teach your dog to beg for food by stuffing them with treats all day long. Make sure you’re adjusting treat sizes according to your dog’s weight.
8 DIY Dog Treat Recipes Your Dog Will Love
Recipe 1: Peanut Butter And Oat Dog Biscuits
Okay, so this is where it all started for me. Simple ingredients, smells amazing while baking, and dogs go crazy over them.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup xylitol-free peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup water
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix together all ingredients until you have a firm dough. Roll it out on a flat surface and cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters. I just make mine into squares with a knife. Bake for 25–30 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Keep these in an airtight container for up to two weeks. They’ll probably disappear WAY before then.
Recipe 2: Banana And Peanut Butter Frozen Dog Treats
These frozen puppy treats are awesome for hot summer days. Quick and creamy, and they take basically no effort at all.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- ½ cup peanut butter
Blend bananas until smooth, then mix in peanut butter. Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray or silicone mold of your choice, and freeze overnight. Pop the frozen treats out of the mold and serve.
These are great for puppies that are teething. They love chewing on something cold, and it will help soothe their sore gums.
Recipe 3: Sweet Potato Dog Chews
If there’s one thing my dog loves, it’s chewing. I used to buy her these giant rawhide chews that she would slobber all over, but I came across an even better alternative — sweet potato chews!
Ingredients:
- 1 large sweet potato
Wash and peel the sweet potato, then slice into long, thin strips. Lay flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven at 250°F for about 2.5 to 3 hours. Rotate once during cooking.
You want them dried out and chewy, not crunchy. Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Recipe 4: Pumpkin And Cinnamon Dog Cookies
Pumpkin has so many health benefits for dogs, and they love it. It aids in digestion and has a pretty irresistible taste. This recipe smells amazing while cooking, and is safe for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned plain pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
Mix ingredients until a dough forms. Roll out flat and cut into shapes, or just spoon onto your baking sheet. Cook for about 20 minutes at 350°F.
Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients to add to DIY dog treats. Mix it up with some banana or sweet potato purée for an extra tasty snack.
Recipe 5: Chicken And Parsley Dog Training Treats
For these puppy treats it’s all about the scent. You want your training treats to grab your dog’s attention ASAP, and these fit the bill.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or blended
- 1 egg
- ½ cup flour
- Small handful of fresh parsley
Mix together until a dough forms. Roll into tiny balls, or spread flat on a baking sheet and cut into small squares. Bake at 350°F for about 15–18 minutes.
Notes: Since these contain meat, I recommend storing them in the fridge and using within one week.
Recipe 6: Apple And Carrot Dog Biscuits
Did you know carrots and apples are safe for dogs? When combined, they make the perfect light and crunchy biscuit. Great for dogs who need to watch their calorie intake.
Ingredients:
- 1 apple (cored & grated)
- 1 medium carrot (grated)
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 egg
Core the apple and grate both the apple and carrot into a large bowl. Mix with oat flour and egg until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Cut into shapes and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
Notes: These treats are crisp and lightly sweetened — my dog goes crazy for them! I love this recipe because I always have apples and carrots in my kitchen.
Recipe 7: Cheese And Herb Dog Soft Bites
Some dogs aren’t huge biscuit fans. Maybe they have trouble chewing or maybe they just want something soft. Solution? Homemade dog treats that are CHEESED OUT.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until a soft dough forms. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten with a fork. Bake at 350°F for about 12–15 minutes.
Notes: Keep these refrigerated since they contain dairy.
Recipe 8: Blueberry And Oat Dog Energy Balls
Oh my goodness, I LOVE THESE!!! They require no baking whatsoever and take less than 10 minutes to whip up. Think…energy balls…but for dogs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- ½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp honey
Mix ingredients together and roll into balls. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Notes: Blueberries are full of antioxidants and are considered a superfood for dogs. Load up on these because they are as nutritious as they are tasty.
How To Store Homemade Dog Treats
Homemade dog treats don’t have preservatives like store-bought brands. Here are my tips for keeping them fresh:
Keep treats stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Treats with meat, eggs, or dairy can be stored in the fridge and used within 5–7 days. You can freeze most of these recipes for up to three months. Just thaw out however many you want whenever you want.
Label your batches with the date you made them. It’s such a simple step that you don’t think about it, but trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute flour for a gluten-free alternative? Yes! Oat flour works great in most recipes and is naturally gluten-free. You can also use rice flour or coconut flour in place of whole wheat flour. Coconut flour absorbs much more liquid than others, so you may need to add more wet ingredients.
How can I tell if my dog is allergic to an ingredient? Introduce one recipe at a time and monitor your dog for any negative reactions. Things to look for include itching, stomach pain, or unusual behavior. When in doubt, check with your vet before using a new ingredient.
Can puppies have homemade dog treats? Yes! Most puppies can have any of these treats, but you’ll want to go easy on the portion sizes. No need to fill up on treats when they’re supposed to be chowing down on puppy food. Pups also have tiny teeth, so avoid hard foods that could damage their mouths. Frozen banana bites and cheese soft bites are great puppy training treats.
Are these dog treat recipes good for small breeds? Definitely! You may just have to make the treats smaller. Fewer treats for a Chihuahua, the same amount for a Labrador Retriever. Cut your dog biscuits smaller and make your balls tiny. Easy.
Wrapping Up
Making food for the ones you love is something really special. And YES — your dog is ONE of your loved ones. Making your own dog treats at home takes the guesswork out of finding what’s best for your pup. You know exactly what they’re eating and can adjust as needed for their individual health needs.
Plus? Homemade dog treats are WAY more fun to make than I would’ve ever guessed. Pick one of these recipes and try it out! See which ones your dog loves best, then mix it up and start creating your own recipes.
Your dog deserves the good stuff, and now you know how to give it to them.
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