There’s a treat out there for all pups, and many reasons to hand them out. Perhaps a seasonal gift, a motivator to learn a trick, or maybe just as a little dessert after dinner. Whatever the occasion, your dog deserves a treat, made extra special by you! Try out these dog treat recipes you can whip up at home! It takes a bit more effort than simply buying them, but it gives you the freedom to avoid cater to your dog’s individualistic allergies and health.
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This article covers:
- Safe spices to add
- Peanut butter and pumpkin cookies
- Chicken bite-size dog treats
- Simple recipe that can be easily customized
- Sweet potato fries
- Frozen apple treat
- Cheesy bone treat
- Banana almond treat that’s great for puppies
How Can We Spice This Up?
Many of these recipes encourage some extra spicing, to give the treats some more delicious flavors! If you’re unsure which spices are safe for dogs, simply look to the following list of safe spices your dog can enjoy!
- Basil
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Dill
- Garlic (in small amounts)
- Ginger
- Marjoram
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Turmeric
Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Biscuits
Peanut butter is often a big hit with dogs, and completely safe in moderation! Just be sure to use natural peanut butter or a brand that does not contain Xylitol. Pumpkin may seem an odd ingredient for a dog, but pumpkins are known to be good for health. If you know your dog to be a big peanut butter fan, try this simple recipe.
Ingredient List
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (without nutmeg, which can be toxic to some dogs)
Directions
Step One: Preheat oven to 350F.
Step Two: Mix until fully combined the pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter in a large mixing bowl.
Step Three: Add flour and pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon). Stir until combined.
Step Four: Lightly flour a flat surface and roll out dough to one quarter inch. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.
Step Five: Cut out shapes in dough and lay them on a large baking sheet lined with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper.
Step Six: Bake for 20 to 40 minutes. The longer you bake, the more crunch the treats will have.
Step Seven: Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container for up to a month, or in the fridge for up to six months.
Chicken Bite-Size Treat
Who said dog treats had to be sweet? Spoil your dog with some delicious home-prepared protein. This savory recipe can be made with any lean meat, so dogs with certain allergies can try substitutions like bison or quail.
Ingredient List
- Silicone mold (with your favorite shapes)
- 1 cup cooked and finely diced chicken
- ½ cup cooked and mashed rice
- 3 tbsps rice flour
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 1 egg
Directions
Step One: Preheat oven to 350F.
Step Two: Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir well.
Step Three: Spoon into silicon mold.
Step Four: Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Step Five: Allow it to cool and remove from the silicon mold. Store in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze for up to three months.
Customizable Simple Treat
Perhaps you want to get creative with the flavors you share with your dog. Well try introducing and surprising you dog with all the many safe and delicious tastes you can think of with this recipe, with the base recipe only having two ingredients. Add whatever you can think of that is deemed safe for dogs and will expand your dog’s palate.
Ingredient List
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or try wheat germ, spelt, rolled oats, or a mixture of those mentioned)
- 2 (4oz) jars of pureed baby food (try flavors such as beef, blueberry, sweet potato, chicken, etc)
- Your creative additions
Directions
Step One: Preheat oven to 350F.
Step Two: Mix ingredients together to make a stiff dough. Add flour and water as needed.
Step Three: Add in your fun additions! Consider carrots or sweet potatoes, parsley, blueberries, bananas, or other non-toxic fruits or veggies your dog has shown an interest in.
Step Four: Lightly flour a flat surface and roll out dough to one quarter inch. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.
Step Five: Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shape and lay them on a large baking sheet lined with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper.
Step Six: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Step Seven: Allow to cool. Store in a paper bag.
Sweet Potato Fries
Most likely, your dog has given you the puppy eyes for some of those fries you got there. Why not make a plate of fries made just for your pup! Everyone loves fries, and your dog can’t wait to get a mouthful of it.
Ingredient List
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Spices of turmeric and cinnamon
Directions
Step One: Preheat oven to 425F.
Step Two: Wash and peel the sweet potato.
Step Three: Cut the sweet potato into strips, the shape and size of a fry.
Step Four: Coat the strips of potato with oil and spices. This can be done by mixing in a large bowl or shaking in a ziplock bag.
Step Five: Place the fries on a baking sheet with no overlap. Just one layer of fries.
Step Six: Bake for 15 minutes.
Step Seven: Flip fries for even baking.
Step Eight: Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
Step Nine: Let cool before serving.
Frozen Apple Treat
Apples are one of the most delicious and beloved fruits out there, and your dog wants some of the action. Apples are good for a dog’s health, packed with fiber, vitamin C and vitamin A. These frozen treats make them perfect for a refreshing cool-down on a hot summer day.
Ingredient List
- 2 apples
- 1 cup Greek nonfat plain yogurt
- Water
Directions
Step One: Remove seeds and the core of the apples. Slice into small, bite-size pieces.
Step Two: Mix apples with yogurt and a splash of water in a blender. Blend until you have a liquid consistency.
Step Three: Pour mixture into a silicone mold or ice cube tray.
Step Four: Freeze for a few hours until solid.
Step Five: Recommended only feed one cube at a time. Store in a tupperware container in the freezer.
Cheesy Bone Treat
Cheese is as delicious as any other treat. Perhaps your dog has hinted at their excitement for a couple cubes of cheese. Well try this recipe, which has never made dog treats look so mouthwatering.
Ingredient List
- 4 cups flour
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsps (¼ cup) oil
- 1 ⅓ cups water
Directions
Step One: Preheat oven to 250F.
Step Two: Combine flour and cheese in a large mixing bowl.
Step Three: Stir in oil and water. Add water as needed to produce a stiff dough.
Step Four: Lightly flour a flat surface and roll out dough to ⅜” thick. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.
Step Five: Cut out shapes in dough and lay them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Step Six: Bake for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until thoroughly dry.
Step Seven: Let cool before serving.
Banana Almond Treat
This treat is great for puppies who prefer softer treats. This treat is soft, delicious, and healthy all in one. But of course these treats are appropriate for all ages of dogs, and you can also try a bite.
Ingredient List
- 1 egg
- ¾ unsalted almond butter
- ⅓ banana
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
Step One: Preheat oven to 350F.
Step Two: In a medium mixing bowl mash the banana with a fork. Once mashed, add the other ingredients and mix well with a fork. The batter should be thick and gooey.
Step Three: Spoon out dime sized portions and lay them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step Four: Bake for five minutes.
Step Five: After five minutes, turn the pan in the oven and bake for an additional five minutes.
Step Seven: Let cool before serving. They last around five to seven days.
We all know dogs take an interest in our human food, and these DIY treats are a chance to serve up these usually forbidden foods, this time made just for them. There are many ingredients and types of treats you can try out, and the time spent in the kitchen will be just as fun as when you watch your pup dig in!
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