Who says delicious homemade goodies are just for people? Your precious pup can chow down on some tasty kitchen-created treats, too. The best part is, you don’t need to get any unique ingredients or hard-to-come-by items. There are bunches of simple dog treats you can whip up for your pooch in no time, with things you likely already have in your pantry. Don’t consider yourself a cook or a baker? That’s okay, too. These treats are easy-peasy to make, and your dog won’t be able to resist them!
Popular Ingredients in Homemade Dog Treats
Many DIY dog treats consist of the same basic ingredients. Some of the most popular things you’ll come across in dog treat recipes are:
- Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
- Apples (remove all seeds and core)
- Peanut Butter*
- Bananas
- Oat, wheat, brown rice or rye flour
- Chicken/Meat
- Chicken stock
- Cooked white rice
- Eggs
- Bacon
- Carrots
In fact, with just these few ingredients, you can make a variety of different tidbits for your pup, including all of the mouthwatering recipes below. But, heed this warning, you might end up with one spoiled pup!
*Please read your peanut butter ingredients to ensure that it does not contain Xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs.
Sweet Homemade Dog Treats
Does your dog have a sweet tooth? You can always put some peanut butter into his Rolly Cannoli, but what about surprising him with something special in there? Here are a few simple dog treats that are all about the sweeter side of life.
Frozen Apple Treats
(Adapted from irresistiblepets.net)
- 2 apples (remove all seeds and core)
- 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (plain)
- water
Core the apples and make sure to remove all of the seeds (apple seeds are poisonous for pups). Slice the apples into small pieces, then blend them with the yogurt and a little bit of water until liquid. Pour into an ice cube tray and let freeze for about 2 to 3 hours. This recipe should make about 16 treats. Make sure to store goodies in an airtight container in the freezer.
Peanut Butter Paw-fections
(Adapted from Puppy Leaks)
- 2 cups of oat, wheat, brown rice or rye flour
- ½ cup of peanut butter* (creamy)
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup of water
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and mix the flour, egg, and peanut butter in a bowl, adding a little bit of water at a time. You want the dough just to be wet enough to roll out so you can cut into some fun shapes. Use cookie cutters or freestyle your designs if you want. Then place the shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the treats for about 15 minutes. You can store these treats in an airtight container in the pantry or on the counter for about a week. Depending on the size of the shapes you make, you’ll get about 36 treats. Therefore, you might want to freeze half so they don’t go to waste.
*Please read your peanut butter ingredients to ensure that it does not contain Xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs.
Banana Peanut Butter Delights
(Adapted from allrecipes.com)
- 1 cup of peanut butter*
- 2 medium-sized bananas
- 1 cup oat, wheat, brown rice or rye flour
Mash the bananas and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the bananas, peanut butter, and flour into a workable dough. Roll a section of dough to ¼” thickness on a lightly floured surface, then cut out different shapes using a knife or cookie cutters. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place the shapes on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, then cool before serving. You’ll end up with about 50 treats. Store them in an airtight container to preserve the freshness.
*Please read your peanut butter ingredients to ensure that it does not contain Xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs.
Savory Homemade Dog Treats
When you think about homemade dog treats, you might jump to things like puppy cookies, peanut butter cakes, and other sweet bites. But, dogs love all sorts of flavors, and many of them are savory. So, here are a few recipes for some flavorful dog treats your pup is sure to love!
Meaty Pup Bites
(Adapted from Kol’s Notes)
- Silicone molds of your choice (pawprints, doggy bones, or holiday-themed options, like hearts, pumpkins, Easter bunnies, etc.)
- 1 cup cooked chicken (or your pup’s favorite meat)
- ½ cup cooked white rice
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil
Finely chop all of the chicken. Then, mix all of the ingredients together in a blender, pour into the molds, and freeze! Store the bites in an airtight container in the freezer.
Easy-Bake Savory Nibbles
(Adapted from Food52)
- ½ cup of chicken stock
- 1 egg
- ½ cup of carrots
- 2 pieces of bacon
- 2 ¼ cup oat, wheat, brown rice or rye flour
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, finely chop the bacon, and shred the carrots. Whisk together the chicken stock and egg, then add in the carrots and bacon pieces. Ensure it’s all well-mixed, then add in the flour until you have a workable dough. Roll out the dough to about ¼” thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut out desired shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 40 minutes, then let cool thoroughly before serving. Keep treats in an airtight container and serve within the week or freeze.
Chicken Jerky
(Adapted from Dog Treat Kitchen)
- Chicken breast fillets
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with a non-stick spray. Cut the chicken into very thin strips (about ⅛”), ensuring you remove all of the fat. Place the strips onto the baking sheet and bake for about two hours until they are firm. Let the treats cool, then cut into the desired size with kitchen scissors. Store the jerky in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three weeks, or freeze for up to 8 months.
Time for Treats!
Making dog treats at home comes with lots of benefits. You know exactly what’s going into your pup’s food, you can cater the flavors to your furry friend’s faves, and you get to pretend to have your own doggy cooking show (why not, right). Plus, you can save money and always have yummy training treats at the ready. Your kitchen will smell good, too (which will send your dog into frenzied fits of delight).
No matter what types of treats you decide to mix up for your canine companion, always ensure you use quality, fresh ingredients. If anything seems spoiled or expired, toss it. Also, if your dog suffers from allergies, ensure you choose recipes that won’t cause a reaction; otherwise, make the proper substitutions. For example, if your pup is allergic to wheat flour, try rice flour instead.
Store anything you make properly to ensure it stays healthy for our pup, and don’t let your pooch overeat. Your pup should only have about one or two full-sized treats a day, not filling up his dog bowl. After all, you can always have too much of a good thing, and just like you probably shouldn’t sit down with a whole bag of potato chips, your pup needs a limit on his daily treats. Basically, your pup’s treats should only make up about 10% of his daily calories. If you prefer to spread out the treats throughout the day, break them up into smaller pieces for your pooch.
For more fun tips and resources to be a super pet parent, check out the rest of our blog. You’ll find everything you need to ensure your pup stays happy, healthy, and well-fed. Don't worry — we won't tell if you take a taste.