Treats for dogs: wholesome, healthy and homemade

Every pet owner wants the best for their pooch. But how can you guarantee the treats you’re giving your pet are good for them? We suggest making your own! It’s a fun activity for the whole family to get involved in, plus your pup will love them.

Here’s our guide to making your own homemade, healthy treats to reward your dog or simply show them a little extra love.

Our favorite simple dog treat recipe

These two ingredient dog treats are so simple to make, meaning you can whip up a batch in a matter of minutes. Plus, you can even store the dough in the freezer to defrost and bake at a later date.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups 100% organic wholewheat flour
• 2 (4oz) jars of pureed baby food – beef, blueberry, sweet potato, chicken, etc.

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix ingredients together to form a stiff dough. If necessary, add a little extra flour or water to get the right consistency.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out evenly until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shape or a pizza cutter to make squares.
4. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the treats about 1/2 inch apart.
5. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.

Source: Zoopar

Pumpkin-flavored Halloween dog treats

These Halloween cookies made with pumpkin and carrot are a perfect way to get your pooch involved in the festivities. This recipe makes around a dozen bites, and you can store them in the refrigerator to keep them fresher for longer.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin (make sure it contains 100% pumpkin and no added sugar)
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup wholewheat flour

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Stir pumpkin, egg, carrots and flour in a large bowl until moistened.
3. Roll the batter into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes.

Source: Pawsitively Pets

Frosted Christmas cookies for dogs

Everybody loves cookies, even our four-legged friends! These Christmas cookies can be cut into your favorite festive shapes, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you could even create a show-stopping gingerbread house by using the dog-friendly frosting as glue!

For the cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 6 teaspoons canola oil
• 2 cups wholewheat flour
• 2/3 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all the ingredients together well.
3. Roll your dough to approximately 1/4 inch thick.
4. Cut into the shapes of your choice with a cookie cutter.
5. Bake on parchment paper for 35 – 40 minutes.

For the frosting:

Ingredients:

• 4oz plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of your favorite flavoring, e.g. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Whisk ingredients together with a fork or whisk until smooth.
2. Add a few drops of canola oil to thin the mixture if necessary.
3. Spread the entire surface of the cookie with the frosting, or get creative and use a

cake decorating bag to write your dog’s name, do outlines, hearts, or anything else you can draw.

4. Once you’ve decorated the cookies, let the frosting harden before feeding them to your dog.

Source: Barking from the Bayou

Heart-shaped Valentine’s dog treats

With these cranberry cookies, you can show your pup a little bit more love this Valentine’s Day. These treats may taste great, but they don’t keep for long, so store any uneaten treats in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 7 days. (That’s if there are any left by the end of the week!)

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 and 1/5 cups of wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 24 tablespoons coconut flour
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine wheat flour, coconut oil and dried cranberries together in a bowl.
3. Add the beaten eggs and mix together with hands. The dough will be very wet.
4. Add the coconut flour one tablespoon at a time, mixing thoroughly. The dough should easily form a ball.
5. Roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutters.
6. Place the treats on a baking sheet linked with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes or until crisp.

Source: The Lazy Pitbull

Homemade treats for diabetic dogs

Sometimes it can be difficult to find treats that are safe for diabetic dogs. These super-healthy high fiber, low sugar dog treats made with whole-wheat flour and beef liver are perfect for dogs with canine diabetes.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup wholewheat flour
• 1 and 1/2 pounds of beef liver, cut into pieces
• 2 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 10 x 15-inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper.
3. Place the liver into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
4. If you have room, add the flour and eggs, and process until smooth. If not, transfer to a bowl and stir in the flour and eggs using a wooden spoon. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until the center is firm, and cut into squares once cool.

Source: AllRecipes

Homemade dog treats for puppies

Dog treats are great for rewarding your puppy for good behavior and helping them through training. These banana and almond puppy treats have a softer texture, making them perfect for growing pups.

Ingredients:

• 1 organic egg
• 3/4 cup unsalted almond butter
• 1/3 of an organic banana
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Use a fork to mash the banana in a large bowl. Once mashed, add in the rest of the ingredients and mix together well. The batter consistency should be very thick and gooey.
3. Spoon out dime sized dollops onto your parchment paper and place in the oven for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, turn the pan and bake for another 5 minutes until evenly baked.

Source:  Pretty Fluffy

As you can see, making your own dog treats is so simple to do. Plus, you can be sure that your dog is only eating healthy, wholesome ingredients. Find out more about canine nutrition in our owner’s area, including advice around healthy diets for dogs, dog obesity and which foods are toxic to dogs.

 

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.