🦴 DIY Dog Treats: Healthy and Delicious Recipes for Your Pup 🐶

Welcome to my guide on making homemade dog treats! As a veterinarian with over 10 years of experience, I often get asked by clients for healthy treat recommendations. So I decided to share some of my favorite do-it-yourself recipes that your dog will love and are nutritious too.🥰

Why Make Your Own Dog Treats?

There are several benefits to crafting your own snacks over buying pre-made ones:

You Control the Ingredients

You get to choose wholesome ingredients, avoiding unhealthy preservatives and artificial colors. This gives you peace of mind that your pup is getting only natural, high-quality foods. 👍

Customize for Your Dog's Needs

You can add or avoid certain ingredients if your dog has allergies, sensitivities or health conditions. Tailor treats to provide nutrients they specifically need.🥬

Save Money

Homemade is much cheaper than artisan store-bought treats. And you can make them in bulk and store for later.💸

Bonding Activity

It's a fun project to do with kids and brings you closer together with your furbaby. My dogs get super excited when treats are involved! 🤗

👩‍⚕️ Veterinarian’s Advice

When preparing home cooked food or treats, there are some key tips to keep in mind:

🔸 Talk to your vet if your dog has any health issues to discuss diet needs. Provide an overall balanced diet.

🔸 Follow recipe guidelines carefully including ingredients, measurements and preparation.

🔸 Avoid ingredients your dog is allergic or sensitive to. Some common culprits are wheat, soy, chicken, and beef.

🔸 Use high-quality ingredients. Choose fresh, whole foods whenever possible over heavily processed.

🔸 Store safely. Refrigerate treat dough or baked treats in airtight containers. Label with the date and contents.

🔸 Watch for signs of an upset stomach like vomiting or diarrhea. Discontinue the food and call your vet if symptoms don’t go away within 24 hours or sooner if severe.

🔸 Brush your dog's teeth too for good dental health. Some studies show 94% of dogs over age 3 develop dental disease. Providing chews can help remove plaque.

Let’s get to those recipes now...your dog is waiting! 😋

1. Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Dog Treats

This is an all-time favorite combo both for pet parents and pups. These homemade biscuits are a cinch to make.

Ingredients:

·         2 and 1⁄2 cups whole wheat flour

·         2 eggs

·         1 cup pumpkin puree

·         1⁄2 cup peanut butter

·         1 tsp baking powder

·         1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2.     In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and cinnamon.

3.     In another bowl, whisk eggs then stir in peanut butter and pumpkin puree until smooth.

4.     Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix thoroughly. Dough will be sticky.

5.     Flour your hands and roll dough into 1⁄2 inch balls and place on prepared baking pans with space between.

6.     Bake for 14-18 minutes until lightly browned.

7.     Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

These protein-packed treats make great training rewards too. Freeze a batch for teething pups!

See also: Top Training Tips for New Puppy Owners

2. Chicken & Sweet Potato Chews

Chicken and sweet potato is a gentle food combination appropriate for most pups, including those with sensitive stomachs. And they absolutely love these chewy homemade jerky strips.

Ingredients:

·         2 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin

·         1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced thin

·         3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

·         1 tsp garlic powder

·         1 tsp parsley

Instructions:

1.     Add chicken and sweet potatoes to slow cooker.

2.     Pour in chicken broth then sprinkle seasonings on top.

3.     Cook 3-4 hours on high until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.

4.     Transfer solids to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5.     Bake at 200°F, flipping once, until completely dried out - about 3 hours.

6.     Cut into bite-sized pieces and store in airtight container up to 2 weeks.

These long-lasting crispy strips are packed with vitamins and minerals too. I like making a double batch to save for later!

See also: Is Raw Food Diet Healthy for Dogs?

3. Baked Vegetable Fries

It can be tricky getting our canine friends to eat their greens. But baked veggie fries are a game-changer! Dogs devour these crispy, savory treats made with nutrient-dense vegetables.

Ingredients:

·         2 sweet potatoes, cut into strips

·         2 carrots, cut into sticks

·         2 celery stalks, sliced

·         1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

·         1 zucchini, sliced

·         1 egg, beaten

·         1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs or oat flour

·         2 tbsp olive oil

·         2 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.     In a large bowl, toss chopped veggies with olive oil and Italian seasoning.

3.     Place breadcrumbs and beaten egg in separate shallow bowls.

4.     One at a time, dip veggies in egg, allowing excess to drip off then coat completely in crumbs.

5.     Arrange veggies in a single layer on baking sheets. Mist with olive oil spray.

6.     Bake 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned and crispy. Cool before serving.

Store leftovers in fridge up to 5 days or freeze for 6 months. You can substitute other vegetables too like green beans, beets or parsnips. Have fun with mixing up veggie combos to find your pup’s faves! 🥕🥦

See also: Can Dogs Eat Vegetables?

4. Healthy Breakfast Pup cakes

Starting the day with these wholesome muffins chock full of super foods will help give your buddy steady energy. And they make fun handheld treats for nibbling! 🧁

Ingredients:

·         3 very ripe bananas, mashed

·         3 eggs

·         1⁄4 cup peanut butter

·         1⁄4 cup plain Greek yogurt

·         2 cups oat flour

·         1 tsp baking soda

·         1 cup blueberries

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tin with papers or grease holes.

2.     Mix bananas, eggs, yogurt and peanut butter together in large bowl.

3.     In another bowl, combine oat flour and baking soda.

4.     Add dry ingredients to wet and stir just until blended. Fold in blueberries.

5.     Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.

6.     Bake 18-22 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely on rack.

These little cakes stay fresh covered at room temp for 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

You can swap out blueberries for other fruits like raspberries, apples or pumpkin puree too. For extra protein, mix in a spoonful of almond butter or scoop of collagen peptides.🍓🥧

See also: Can Dogs Eat Fruit? Healthy Options

5. Breath-Freshening Mint & Parsley Biscuits

Many doggie breath issues start with gum disease which recent studies show over 80 percent of adult pooches suffer from. These savory herbal biscuits help combat bad puppy breath while providing vitamin K, iron, and beta carotene too.

Ingredients:

·         4 cups whole wheat flour

·         1 1⁄2 cups fresh parsley, minced

·         1⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves, minced

·         1 1⁄2 cups shredded carrot

·         1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

·         1 tbsp parsley flakes

·         2 eggs

·         1 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1.     Preheat oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, mix flour, parsley, mint, parsley flakes and cheese.

2.     Add carrots, chicken broth and eggs. Mix until it forms a soft dough.

3.     On a floured surface, roll out to 1⁄4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.

4.     Arrange on a parchment lined pan and bake 35 minutes until lightly browned.

5.     Turn off oven and leave biscuits to dry out for 1-2 hours.

6.     Once fully cooled, store treats in airtight container up to 1 month.

If your furry friend needs extra fresh breath power, swap cheddar for mint cheddar. You can find my homemade dog toothpaste recipe here for more oral care.

See also: Dog Bad Breath Causes and Treatment

Recipe FAQs

Have some questions about preparing tasty homemade nibbles? Here I cover some common concerns pet owners have.

Are these dog treat recipes nutritionally balanced?

Dogs require a complete and balanced diet with protein, fat, minerals and vitamins. So I recommend homemade treats make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total caloric intake. Provide a high quality commercial or home cooked meal plan for the majority of their diet. My recipes here use wholesome ingredients that add nutritional value.

Can I adjust ingredient amounts or substitute?

Yes, you can double or halve recipe portions depending on how many treats you want to make. When swapping ingredients, aim for similar nutrition value. For example, substitute beef, turkey or lamb products for chicken. Stick to dog-friendly fruits, veggies and grains over processed people foods. Get creative experimenting with healthful ingredients!

How do I know if my dog has a food allergy or intolerance?

Symptoms of allergy may include itchy skin, ear infections, foot nibbling/licking or digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea. Food intolerances can cause loose stools or gas. Keeping a food journal can help narrow down problem ingredients. Then work with your vet on appropriate diet changes or challenge trials. Omitting common offenders like wheat, corn and soy may help.

What are choking hazards for dogs when giving treats?

Any small, dense bite-sized foods can pose choking risks for eager eaters. This includes things like grapes, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, nuts and seeds, cheese cubes and more. Always supervise your dog when eating. And consider larger or softer treat options.

Final Thoughts

Whipping up nutritious nibbles at home saves money while controlling for better ingredients. You can customize treats to your dog’s health needs and food sensitivities too. These recipes only skim the surface of endless homemade possibilities.

I’d love to hear your favorite homemade treat combinations or any questions! For more veterinarian tips and advice for your fur babies, explore the resources at My Vet Clinic Website. And don’t forget to brush those pearly whites after snacktime! 😁🐶