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Finding healthy dog foods is pretty easy if you research dog food ratings, however dog treats are made for flavor and may not always provide the best dog nutrition. If you are worried about what is in your dog’s treats, you may want to try your hand and making some dog treats at home. The internet is full of healthy dog food recipes and many are pretty difficult to make, so easy homemade dog treats are an easy place to start. We compiled a great selection of the simplest recipes you can try at home.
One: Dog Jerky
Some of the most popular treats are jerky treats. Not only are they delicious, but their texture takes a long time to chew so they can provide a lot of entertain for your dog.
Ingredients:
Meat (beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and even fish works)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°.* Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (alternate cooking times and temps in the video).
2. Filet the meat to 1/8 – 1/4 inch strips, removing any fat or gristle.
3. Bake the meat for approximately 2 hours, flipping halfway through. The jerky is done when it is completely dry.
4. Let cool and store in a paper bag to ensure it stays dry.
*You can also make jerky in a food dehydrator. Follow the same instructions for preparation and place in the food dehydrator for 3-6 hours depending on desired texture.
Two: Simple Dog Biscuits
These are a great stand in for Milkbone Dog Biscuits and can be customized to whatever flavor your dog loves. Plus these only require two ingredients so they are inexpensive and easy to make.
Ingredients:
2 4oz jars of baby food
2 cups flour
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a cookie sheet
2. Mix the baby food and flour in a large bowl until incorporated.
3. On a floured surface, roll flour out and use a cookie cutter to cut shapes.
4. Place cut shapes onto cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Let cool and store in a plastic container until ready to serve.
Three: Peanut Butter Banana Treats
Peanut butter and banana treats may sound like a weird combination for you dog. However dogs love the protein-rich flavor or peanut butter and bananas are a healthy source of potassium.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup oats
1 banana cut into pieces
1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place oats in a food processor or a blender and grind until they are a fine powder.
3. In a large bowl, mix the peanut butter and banana together until smooth
4. Mix ground oats into the peanut butter and banana mixture.
5. Roll on a floured surface (you can use the ground oats) and cut into shape.
6. Bake on the cookies sheet for 15 minutes until edges start to brown.
7. Let cool and store in an airtight container.
Four: Sweet Potato Dog Chews
If you have an active breed or a dog who likes to chew things, these are a great treat. Sweet potato dog chews will give your dog something healthy and fun to chew on.
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 250°.* Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Slice sweet potatoes in 1/4 inch thin slices.
3. Place on cookie sheet and bake for three hour or until completely dry
4. Let cool and store in the fridge.
*You can also make sweet potato dog chews in a food dehydrator. Follow the same instructions for preparation and place in the food dehydrator for 4-5 hours.
Five: No-Bake Dog Treats
What could be easier than no-bake treats? These take only a few minutes to prepare and your dogs will love them.
Ingredients:
1 can pumpkin puree
4 cups of rolled oats
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Mix pumpkin puree, oats honey, and cinnamon in a bowl until combined.
2. Roll mixture into treat sized balls.
3. Serve immediately.
4. Store the remaining treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Six: Breath Freshening Treats
We love our dogs but sometimes they have terrible breath. This simple recipe will help you make delicious treats that will also fight that terrible breath
Ingredients:
1/2 cup mint
1/2 cup parsley
1 egg
2 1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup water
3 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a blender pulse oats until a fine powder, then add mint and parsley and mix until incorporated.
3. In a large bowl whisk egg, water, and coconut oil until combined. Add the oat mixture.
4. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into shapes.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
6. Let cool and store in an airtight container.
Seven: Doggy Ice Cream
What could be a better dog treat on a hot summer day than ice cream. Plus you get to take all the funny pictures of your dog cringing at the cold.
Ingredients:
3 bananas cut into pieces
1 cup peanut butter
32 oz plain yogurt
Instructions:
1. Place all three ingredients in a food processor or a large bowl.
2. Mix until fully incorporated.
3. Place mixture in either a bowl or an ice cube tray and cover.
4. Freeze overnight.
5. Store covered in the freezer until ready to serve.
Eight: Bone Broth
Bone broth is a great way to use those leftover bones you’d normally toss. They help your dog get all the nutritional value from the bones without the risk of choking.
Ingredients:
Bones
Water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 375°. Place bones on a cooking sheet and roast for 35 minutes.
2. Place roasted bones in a large pot and cover with water. Add apple cider vinegar.
3. Simmer at a low heat, adding water as needed, for 4-6 hours.
4. Let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
These are just some of the great homemade dog treat recipes. Once you try these easy ones, you can begin to get a little more adventurous. You’ll enjoy making these treats for you dog and your dog will thank for them.
