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It’s no secret that dogs love snacks, so homemade dog treats are sure to make your furry friend’s mouth water. Many dog parents are trying out homemade treats as opposed to store-bought ones as a way to keep their pups healthy. Store-bought dog treats often have artificial preservatives and flavorings, but if you make treats yourself, you’ll know exactly what’s inside them.
So, if you’re interested in making homemade dog treats for your canine companion, we’ve compiled a list of some great recipes to check out.
Choosing Ingredients for Homemade Dog Treats
Ingredients are the most important part of homemade dog treats because you need to ensure that everything your dog is eating is safe, and if possible, beneficial to their health. Here are some tips for selecting the best ingredients.
Ingredients to Avoid
First off, you should steer clear of any foods that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, xylitol, raisins, and garlic. Any of those ingredients could be life-threatening for canines in extreme cases.
Some other ingredients to avoid include excessive salt, sugar, corn, soy, and wheat because too much of those ingredients could cause reactions in dogs. It’s also best to stay away from artificial coloring and flavoring for the same reason.
Safe Alternatives
If you were considering one of the ingredients above, there are always safer alternatives that dogs can enjoy. For example, dogs can eat carob chips instead of chocolate chips. Flour and oats are safe to include because they’re easy to digest. When it comes to a tasty flavor, most dog parents opt for peanut butter, pumpkin, or banana.
Best Homemade Dog Treats Recipes
Below are a few great treat recipes based on different categories. If you’re ever unsure if a recipe is safe for your dog, you may want to ask your vet. For how to make homemade dog treats, check out the link to each recipe for more details.
Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats
1. Glazed Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Most dogs go crazy for peanut butter, bacon, and pumpkin, so these adorable bone-shaped treats combine all three of those popular ingredients. In about 35 minutes, you can make peanut butter bones with a bacon-flavored glaze that most dogs will gobble up without hesitation.
2. Crunchy Blueberry, Oats, and Peanut Butter Treats
At first glance, these might look like chocolate chip cookies, but don’t worry, they’re just blueberries. Not only are these DIY dog treats tasty for your furry friend, but they could also have some health benefits. Blueberries are great for a dog’s immune system and cinnamon has some anti-inflammatory properties. And, of course, peanut butter is irresistible to most dogs.
3. Peanut Butter Carob Cups
These treats might look identical to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but they’re completely safe for canines. Instead of chocolate, they use carob, which comes from a Mediterranean evergreen tree that’s safe for your furry friend. With treats looking this good, it may be difficult for you not to sneak a taste.
Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats
4. No Bake Pumpkin Treats
If you have a cute tray to prepare these treats in, then the process is simple. There’s no baking needed, and it only has three ingredients: coconut oil, pumpkin puree, and ground ginger. Once everything is combined, you just have to wait for the treats to freeze before handing them over to your excited pooch.
5. Pumpkin Carrot Bites
These pumpkin bites are most popular in the fall, but they can be tasty for your pup during any time of year. They’re crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The pumpkin flavor will interest most canines while the carrots can give your pooch an additional health boost, such as improving their eye health and immune system.
6. Pumpkin and Yogurt Frozen Dog Treats
This simple homemade dog treats recipe is great for hot summer days. It only uses two ingredients: pumpkin puree and plain yogurt. You can put the ingredients in an ice cube tray and freeze them. Then, your dog will have a nice and cool treat to lick while they’re spending time outside. Despite being so simple, most dogs won’t be able to resist them.
Homemade Banana Dog Treats
7. Banana & Almond Dog Biscuits for Puppies
These treats may look simple, but most dogs will go crazy for the flavor. With bananas, cinnamon, and almonds, these small, healthy treats are soft with a sweet flavor. Humans can even sneak a bite if they want – no one will judge!
8. Frozen Banana, Peanut Butter, and Coconut Oil Treats
These frozen treats are another great summer snack because they’re cold to the touch but tasty for your furry friend. They work best if you have a cute treat tray to put the mixture in before you freeze. All you need is a banana, some peanut butter, and softened coconut oil and you’ll be good to go.
Homemade Dog Treats with Meat
9. Cheddar-Bacon Dog Treats
While all the other treats are sweet and easy to make, some dogs prefer meaty flavors above all else. So, if your dog loves bacon, these cheesy bone-shaped treats are sure to make their mouth water. You can choose to make them whatever size you want, but it’s easiest if you have a cookie cutter to use.
10. Chicken and Wild Rice Dog Biscuits
If chicken is your dog’s favorite, these biscuits might be the best option. These treats may take more time than the other recipes since they require cooked chicken and cooked wild rice, but the look of joy on your dog’s face when they get to try them will be worth it. In total, these bones should be complete in about 40 minutes.
Homemade Apple Dog Treats
11. Oat and Apple Dog Pretzels
Human pretzels may be too salty for dogs, but these pretzels are tasty, safe, and healthy for your furry friend. If you don’t mind taking the time to turn these treats into a pretzel shape, then these are an excellent choice for dogs who love apples. Plus, they’re so cute that you’ll need to take a photo of your dog next to them.
Homemade Dog Treat Products
Most homemade dog treat recipes can be made with supplies around the house, but if you’re feeling creative, here are some fun products that can make the process easier.
Dog Treat Makers
DASH Express Dog Treat Maker
If you’re planning to make lots of dog treats, this dog treat maker could speed up the process. All you have to do is plug it in and pour your dog treat batter into the bone-shaped indents. It even comes with a recipe book to give you some ideas. Plus, a portion of the profit is donated to the North Shore Animal League to help dogs in need.
Dog Treat Trays
homEdge Paw and Bone Treat Molds
A few of the recipes in this article require you to use a cute mold to shape the pieces, so with this pack, you get the choice of paw prints or bones. The paw prints are a great choice for large dog treats while the bones are sized better for small dogs.
Mini Paw and Bone Silicone Molds Trays
This is another great set of silicone molds of paws and bones, but these are smaller. They’re ideal for making tasty, bite-sized treats, so they can fit inside most puzzle toys to keep your furry friend busy.
Dog Treat Storage
Oggi Food Storage Container
Once your treats are complete, you’ll need somewhere to store them. This airtight container can help any food stay fresh and dry. It comes in six different sizes, so you can choose an option that fits the number of treats you typically make.
Lixit Dog Treat Jar
If you want a storage container that’s designed specifically for dog treats, this container has paw prints all over it to make that purpose clear. It has an airtight seal so the treats will stay fresh and tasty for your furry friend. It’s also a great product for transporting dog treats or food on vacation.
Related: 9 Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Store Homemade Dog Treats?
The best way to store your extra homemade dog treats is to seal them in an airtight storage container, such as the Oggi Food Storage Container or the Lixit Dog Treat Jar. However, some products may need to be stored in the fridge or freezer, depending on what they’re made of. Look at the recipe’s details for the most accurate storage information.
Can I Use Regular Flour for Dog Treats?
Yes, regular flour is safe to use in homemade dog treats. However, not all flour has nutritional value for dogs, so it’s best in small amounts. If your dog has a sensitivity to wheat, consider an alternative flour like almond, oat, or coconut.
Are Homemade Dog Treats Good for Dogs?
Homemade dog treats can be good for dogs, depending on the recipe. Many dog parents like making homemade dog treats because then they know exactly what ingredients are going into the treats. Homemade recipes also make it easy to avoid items your dog is allergic to. But remember, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
What are the Benefits of Homemade Dog Treats?
Homemade dog treats are beneficial because they don’t contain preservatives or artificial fillers. You also get to choose which ingredients to include and which ones to leave out, so it makes it easier to keep the treats safe for sensitive dogs. They also contain fresher and more natural ingredients than most store-bought treats do.
Are Homemade Dog Treats Better Than Store-Bought Treats?
Yes, most homemade dog treats are healthier than store-bought. They don’t have the artificial preservatives and fillers that store-bought treats typically do. However, store-bought treats are better if you’re looking for a convenient option or don’t have time to make treats.
Do Homemade Dog Treats Need to Be Refrigerated?
It depends on the recipe, but many homemade dog treats stay fresh longer if you refrigerate them. Frozen treats need to stay cold whenever they’re not in use. Also, treats with meat, cheese, fruits, and vegetables should stay cold for maximum freshness.
How Long Do Homemade Dog Treats Last?
Most homemade dog treats last one to two weeks when stored properly, but it depends on what they’re made of. Most recipes will say how long the treats should last.
Final Thoughts
Homemade dog treats are great for dog parents looking for healthier treat options for their dogs. If you love baking and have a little extra time on your hands, making dog treats could be a fun activity to try out. Plus, your dog will be overjoyed when they get to taste the results!
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