Are you and your family guilty of slipping your dog one too many food scraps from the table? It’s hard to say no to that cute face; I get it. But the truth is, food from the table isn’t great for your dog, and dog treats from the local pet store can have questionable ingredients, too. But here’s the good news—you can make healthy, delicious dog treats right at home!
Why should you make homemade treats for your dog?
If you want to spoil your dog with treats, do it the right way. Treats from the store can contain high amounts of preservatives, unhealthy fats, and chemicals that aren’t safe for your dog, whereas homemade treats are made with minimal, fresh ingredients. Don’t play a guessing game about what’s in your dog’s treats anymore. Make dog treats at home so that you’re aware of exactly what’s going into your dog’s body.
You can make homemade treats for your pup that are not only safe and tasty but nutritious, too! Skip the trip to the pet store, and instead head over to your kitchen. If you’re ever in doubt about if certain ingredients are safe for your dog, always consult a veterinarian. Now here are 7 delicious, healthy homemade dog treats recipes for you to try the next time you want to spoil your pup!
1. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats
This easy recipe has over 1,000 glowing reviews, so I think it’s safe to say your dog will enjoy this peanut butter and pumpkin-filled treat. As a bonus, peanut butter is also a great source of nutrition for your dog. If you’re looking for a homemade treat that you can whip up in 3 easy steps, this one’s for you.
What you’ll need:
- 2 ½ cups of whole wheat flour
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup of canned pumpkin
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon together in a bowl. The dough should be stiff and dry, but add water as needed to make the dough kneadable. Roll the dough into a ½ inch-thick roll, and then slice it into ½-inch pieces.
- Pop the treats on a baking sheet, and bake in the oven until hard for about 40 minutes.
Looking for a homemade treat that you can sneak some veggies into? These spinach, carrot, and zucchini dog treats are packed with all kinds of nutrients and vitamins that your dog needs, so try your hand at these homemade snacks.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup of peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- 3 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
- 1 zucchini, shredded
- 1 cup of chopped baby spinach
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Using an electric mixer, beat pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and eggs on medium-high until well combined.
- Slowly add old-fashioned oats and 2 ½ cups flour at low speed, mixing until combined. If the dough is still sticky, add an additional ¼ cup flour. Then add the vegetables, beating until combined.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times and then roll the dough to ¼ thickness. Sliced the dough into pieces or use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes.
- Place the treats into the oven on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
Your pup won’t get enough of these bacon-y biscuits! If you want to really spoil your canine best friend, forget about the veggie-filled dog treats just this one time and whip up these peanut butter and bacon dog treats in only an hour.
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup of natural peanut butter
- ¾ cup nonfat milk
- 1 large egg or ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ⅓ cups oats
- 2-3 strips cooked bacon, chopped
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 325 F.
- Gently mix the peanut butter, milk, and egg or applesauce together in a large bowl. Add the flour and baking powder, and then work the dough on a floured surface. Mix in the oats and bacon until the dough is thick and heavy.
- Roll out the dough, and cut out cookies using cookie cutters or a knife. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, and bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven and flip the cookies to bake on the other side for 10-12 minutes.
This recipe calls for healthy ingredients like flax seeds, which are great for a dog’s coat, and olive oil, which has tons of benefits such as cancer and heart disease prevention. This healthy DIY treat is perfect for any pup that could use a hearty dose of nutrition!
What you’ll need:
- 2 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup wheat germ
- ½ cup ground flax seed
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 F and prepare parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Whisk together whole wheat flour, wheat germ, and flaxseed in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, olive oil, applesauce, pumpkin, and honey together until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until combined.
- On floured parchment paper, roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out cookies with a cookie cutter or knife and place them on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cookies are hard.
Don’t just use cheese to trick your dog into taking their pills. Make some cheesy homemade dog treats! Cheese is indeed safe for your pup to consume, but because of its high-calorie content and fat content, you should feed it to your dog in moderation. Spoil your dog with these protein-packed chicken and cheese for a special occasion or just because!
What you’ll need:
- 8 ounces ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped
- 1 tablespoon curly parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Using a nonstick skillet, cook the ground chicken over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until completely cooked through.
- In a bowl, mix together the chicken, cheese, parsley, and flaxseed meal.
- Add the egg, flour, and oil and mix until combined.
- Place teaspoon dollops of batter onto a baking sheet. Wet your hands, and flatten each ball of dough into a small disc.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Do you want to try your hand at homemade dog treats but aren’t much of a cook? This 3-ingredient recipe is an excellent choice for pet owners who don’t want to spend too much time in the grocery store or kitchen. Bananas are inexpensive fruit that are excellent sources of fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, and other good nutrients for your dog. This 3-ingredient recipe saves you time and money!
What you’ll need:
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 1 large ripe banana, smashed
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Blend the old-fashioned oats until it turns into a fine flour.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and mashed banana. Add in the oat flour and smash the mixture with a fork until the dough is combined and thick. Add 2-4 tablespoons at a time if the mixture is crumbly.
7. Watermelon Carrot Popsicles
These frozen treats are the perfect recipe for keeping your pup cool in the summer heat! Popsicles are safe to give to your dog, but avoid feeding your dog popsicles with artificial coloring and sweeteners that may be harmful over time. Homemade “popsicles” are the way to go as you’re in control of what goes into the treat, so give this 2-ingredient recipe a try!
What you’ll need:
- 2 medium-sized carrots
- 3 cups watermelon
Directions:
- Clean and roughly chop the carrots. Deseed the watermelon and then cut it into chunks.
- Blitz carrots in a blender until finely chopped. Add the chunks of watermelon and puree until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze for 2 hours or until frozen solid. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Get the Atmos CBD Doggy Bone Treats or the Atmos CBD Bacon Soft Chews to give your furry friend a relaxing feeling while enjoying the taste.
Have fun with these homemade dog treat recipes, and treat your dog to a delicious goodie made right at home! If you have any concerns or questions about any of the ingredients, always consult with a veterinarian.
