For the dog owner who is always lovingly seeking out dog-friendly hotels, top-qualitypet sittersand the very best dog toys, it’s no stretch to begin poking around for homemade dog treat recipes for your pup, too.
Making homemade dog treats is something you can feel good about, as well. Many store-bought treats contain ingredients that aren’t particularly good for dogs, things like food coloring and toxic preservatives. By contrast, homemade dog treats that you whip up yourself can be chock-full of healthy ingredients like veggies, oats, eggs and peanut butter, all of which you can feel good about feeding your best friend.
Ready to learn how to make homemade dog treats for your best pooch? Well, grab your bone- and paw-shaped cookie cutters because here are 26 of our favorite, easy to make dog treat recipes.
1. Pumpkin and cashew butter dog biscuits
Pumpkin is high in fiber, and it’s easy to get some into their dietwith this pumpkin and unsalted cashew butter dog biscuits recipe— no carving necessary. Just combine pumpkin puree and a few more ingredients, bake and then drizzle with yummy cream cheese and cashew butter “frosting.”
2. Chicken and biscuits dog treats
Thrill your dog and use up those chicken scraps by makingthesechicken and biscuits dog treatsfromTwo Healthy Kitchens. Combine chopped, cooked chicken (feel free to include skin and cartilage bits that aren’t so tasty for humans), flour, Greek yogurt, water and an egg. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and drop them onto a baking sheet. Bake until they’re golden brown.
3. Sweet potato dog treats
If you want to fill your dog’s tummy withhealthy vitamins, minerals and fiber, this homemadesweet potato dog treatsrecipe fromBren Didis for you. In fact, it’s so easy that we probably shouldn’t even consider it baking. Simply chop a sweet potato into 1/4-inch slices and bake. And if you want your dog’s treats to be organic, simply buy organic sweet potatoes (or yams). Truly, one of the simplest homemade dog treat recipes out there.
4. Dog treats for bad breath
We love canine kisses, but sometimes doggie breath can be pretty awful. If your pup’s breathneeds some freshening, whip up some of this no-bakefresh breath frozen yogurtfromiHeartDogs. It’s justGreek yogurt with peppermint, frozen.Next time you get stinky kisses, reward your dog with this treat.
5. Pumpkin peanut butter treats
If your dog loves the taste of fall (or you love the smell of pumpkin baking), this recipe forpumpkin and peanut butter treatsfromIt Doesn’t Taste Like Chickenisa good choice. Simply combine oats, pumpkin puree and peanut butter in a food processor. Roll out the dough, cut into fun shapes and bake.
6. CBD dog treats
CBD andCBD oilcan be found in all kinds of human products these days, and while there’s no definitive scientific data thatCBD can benefit dogs, there is anecdotal evidence that suggest it can be helpful in treatingpain and inflammation, controlling anxiety and seizures and even stimulating appetite in animals. So it’s no surprise there are recipes for homemadeCBD dog treats, like this one fromThe Starving Chef. Ingredientsincludepet-safe CBD oil, pureed pumpkin, quick cooking oats, peanut butter, coconut oil and beef broth.
Please note: Before giving your pet CBD oil or other products with CBD, always consult your vet first.
7. Good dog treats
With a sweet name, thisgood dog cookies recipe, also found onAllrecipes, is perfect for the good (or mostly good) pup in your life. To make these treats, you’ll need whole wheat flour, nonfat dry milk powder, a beef bouillon cube, brown sugar, one egg, vegetable oiland some boiling water. Roll out the dough, cut out cookies and bakefor 30 minutes.
8. Homemade frozen dog treats with apple
You love popsicles on a hot summer day, and your dog will, too. This easyfrozen apple dog treatsidea fromIrresistiblePetsis perfect for cooling down during the dog days of summer. All you have to do is blend apples and plain Greek yogurt with a bit of water. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze.
9. Peanut butter banana dog treats
Thesepeanut butter banana dog treatsfromPook’s Pantryare bound to becomea doggie favorite. Combine peanut butter, banana, oats, egg and a little flour. Mix the ingredients, roll the dough, cut into shapes and bake.
10. Bacon dog treats with cornmeal
What dog (or human, for that matter) doesn’t love bacon? Thisbacon cornmeal dog biscuitsrecipe fromAnn’s Entitled Liferelies on bacon grease to give a canine-friendly kick to cornmeal treats. After you cook Sunday breakfast, put the grease aside for your pup. Combine flour,cornmeal, bacon grease, olive oil and some water. Roll the dough, cut into shapes and bake the treatsfor 30 minutes.
11. No-bake peanut butter balls
If you’re looking for a super-simple recipe, you’re in luck. To make these no-bakepeanut butter and oat balls, via Mad Pup Life, combine creamy peanut butter with water, cinnamon and oats. Roll the mixture into balls and chill in the refrigerator.
12. Salmon and sweet potato brownies
Thesesalmon and sweet potato browniesfromKol’s Noteshave a soft, moist texture, making them a perfect treat for elderly dogs or others who can’t crunch up a crispy dog biscuit. The recipe calls forcanned salmon,sweet potato (without skin), coconut flour and eggs and needs to bake for an hour. And if you also have a cat in the house, you’ll want to keep an eye on these fishy treats while they’re cooling. Trust us on that.
13. Peanut butter dog treats with honey
Thispeanut butter dog treatsrecipe fromThe Cookie Rookiesoundsso tasty, you may be tempted to lick the bowl. We wouldn’t blame you. Combine whole wheatflour, peanut butter, honey, an egg, baking powder and some water. Roll out the dough, cut cookies and bake for 20 minutes.
14. Frozen meat treats
These coolfrozen meat treatsfromOffbeat Home & Lifewon’t sound as appealing to you, but your dog will love them. Combine your choice of cooked meat,plain yogurt, mashed carrot, parsley and olive oil in a bowl, and then freeze in an ice cube tray. Your dog will fully support you tucking away dinner scraps for this recipe.
15. Banana almond dog treats
Thisbanana almond dog treatrecipe fromWiggleworthyis a great gluten-free alternative to many store-bought snacks. Combine the ingredients and bake in your favorite pet-themedsilicone mold.
16. 2-ingredient dog biscuits
You’ll love thistwo-ingredient dog biscuitsrecipe fromThe Midnight Bakerwhen you’re looking to whip up dog treats in a snap. This recipe calls for two jars of pureed meat or vegetable baby food, as well as whole wheat flour spelt, wheat germ or rolled oats (or a combo of all three). Combine, roll and cut the dough, and bake for 20 minutes.
17. Martha Stewart’s homemade dog biscuits
If your dog likes the finer things in life, prepare thishomemade dog biscuit recipecrafted by the crew atMartha Stewart. You’ll need flour, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, salt, canola oil and chicken stock.
18. Carrot dog biscuits
Dogs need vegetables, too, and it’s easy to get some into their dietwith thiscarrot dog biscuits recipefromDukes & duch*esses— no shredding required. Just combine pureed carrot baby food, eggs and flour, and bake for 25 minutes.
19. 4-ingredient dog treats
This oatmeal-based,four-ingredient dog treatsrecipe fromAdd a Pinchis perfect if you want to start out nice and easy. All you need is rolled oats, salt, oneegg and low-sodium beef or chicken broth. Combine the ingredients, shape them and bake.
20. Frozen fruit dog treats
Here’s another low-key recipe that’s perfect for (pant-pant) warmer weather —yogurt and berries dog treats, viaGemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking. Mix plain yogurt with some diced fruit. Fill candy molds or an ice cube tray, and freeze for your pet.
21. Minty fresh breath dog treats
The folks atThe Produce Momsmust know a thing or two about not-so-great dog breath. After all, check out theirrecipe forminty fresh breath dog treats. Yasss! You’ll mix plain Greek yogurt, mint, parsley, green apple and coconut oil. Then blend and freezein trays or a mold overnight.
22. Gingerbread dog biscuits
Love the scent of gingerbread baking? Bring it into your home year-round with thisgingerbread dog biscuitsrecipe, also fromDukes & duch*esses. Combine whole wheatflour, ground ginger, cinnamon, vegetable oil, molasses and water to make these treats. Let the mixturestand for 15 minutes, and then roll the dough, cut the cookies and bake.
23. 3-ingredient vegan dog treats
If your doggie has dietary restrictions or you keep a vegan kitchen, these3-ingredient vegan dog treatsfrom Flora and Vinoare exactly right. Combine rice or oat flour, bananas and smooth peanut butter. Chill the dough for 20 minutes, roll it, cut shapesand bake for 30 minutes.
24. No-bake pumpkin apple dog treats
When it’s hot out or the oven’s busy making your dinner, try mixing up theseno-bake pumpkin apple dog treats, viaShow Me the Yummy.Combine pumpkin puree, applesauce, peanut butter, oats, plain yogurt and (OMG) a strip of bacon. Roll into balls and refrigerate.
25. Cheesy bone dog treats
Some dogs absolutely love cheese. If your pup can handle dairy, thesecheesy bone dog treatsfromGolden Woofsare a great snack. You’ll need flour, shredded cheese, oil and water. Combine the ingredients, roll the dough, cut shapes and bake. Then watch your dog rejoice.
26. Cornmeal doggie biscuits
This recipe for homemade cornmeal doggie biscuits, viaAllrecipes,is a bit more involved (fancy!), but your pooch will love the flavors of cornmeal, peanut butter and vanilla. You’ll also need two types of flour, rolled oats, canola oil, eggs and water.
Some of these recipes make quite a few treats. Be sure to store them properly so they don’t go bad before your dog has had the chance to enjoy all your hard work. Most of these doggie snacks can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week, and they’ll last even longer than that in the freezer.
