We often like to pamper our dogs. One way to do so is to make your own homemade treats for them. Here are 4 simple dog treat recipes for your favorite pup!
Baking for Your Dog
Making dog treats for your dog can be a great activity to do with your family. The other benefit is cost savings to you. Many dog treats are made from simple ingredients that you already have in your home.
Two Ingredient Dog Treats
If you’ve never made dog treats before, this recipe is a no-brainer. The best part is that even though there are only two ingredients, you can still switch things up to make treats your dog will love.
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour (or an alternative flour of your choice)
2 jars of pureed baby food
Directions
This treat couldn’t be any easier. Take some flour, and mix it with baby food. Once you get the consistency right, use a cookie cutter to cut treat shapes and bake them in the oven for about 20 minutes.
While the recipe is easy, it also allows you to experiment. You can try different kinds of baby food. Fruit can be a sweet treat, but beef or chicken might be more appealing to your dog. Why baby food? Baby food is made to be gentle on the stomach. So, it’s usually pretty safe for your dog, too.
Sweet Potato Fries for Dogs
This treat couldn’t be easier, and so good that you could eat them too! Here is a simple sweet dog treat recipe:
Ingredients
Sweet potato
Coconut oil
Directions
Cut your sweet potato into a fry shape. A bigger dog might enjoy a thicker fry, though they’ll need to cook for a bit longer. If you have a small dog, matchsticks should work. Once your fries are cut, coat them with coconut oil. If you’re feeling festive, throw some cinnamon and turmeric in the mix too. Bake until tender and feast on these sweet potato fries!
Leftover Trail Mix
You can easily make some leftover trail mix for your dog. And the best part is that it’s made with leftovers! Your dog will help you remove some of your cooking waste and you can feel good that you’re giving your dog a healthy treat.
Ingredients
Left over, unseasoned meat
Potatoes
Veggies that do not include onions or garlic
Fruit that does not include grapes
Directions
Cut all your ingredients into pieces that are about half an inch in size. Mix them together in small bars then place then into a food dehydrator. This snack couldn’t be easier to make, and your dog is sure to enjoy them. Just be certain you avoid foods that can upset a dog’s stomach. If you’re not sure, take a look at the end of this article for a few examples.
Frozen Peanut Butter Treats
This is an easy treat for warmer weather. Frozen treats keep your dog occupied for a longer time and make them work for their tasty reward. The added stimulation will tire them out.
Ingredients
32 oz plain yogurt
1 cup natural peanut butter
Directions
This treat couldn’t be easier. You simply heat up the peanut butter. Use either a double boiler or simply your microwave in a microwave safe bowl. Then combine the two ingredients and fill a number of cupcake papers. Pop them in the freezer and in no time, you’ll have a wonderful and easy frozen dog treat.
What to Avoid in Dog Treats
If you’re making homemade treats for your pup, there are things you should remember. One thing to keep in mind is if your dog has any allergies, avoid those foods. If your pet seems to become itchier when they eat a diet that is high in wheat, you’ll want to avoid any flour. Or, use alternative flours like brown rice flour or buckwheat flour. If you are using substitute flours, be sure it’s derived from something dogs are supposed to be eating. Almond flour should be avoided as one or two almonds are fine, but dogs shouldn’t have much more than that.
Also, if you are using ingredients that are new to your dog, test how they respond to it first before making a whole batch. See if your dog is willing to eat the ingredient on its own before you invest the time and money into baking something your pet will never eat.
Lastly, keep in mind foods that your dog shouldn’t be eating in the first place. Some foods can give your dog gastric distress, while others can be downright toxic. You should avoid these foods:
- The artificial sweetener Xylitol
- Avocado
- Onions and garlic
- Grapes or raisins
- Chocolate
- Salt
- Uncooked yeast dough
As long as you avoid a dog’s trouble foods and store your treats properly, you can make delicious and nutritious dog treats at home.