Quick Answer:
The easiest homemade dog treats use 3-5 simple ingredients like peanut butter, pumpkin, banana, oats, and eggs. Most recipes take 20-30 minutes and can be stored for weeks. The key is using dog-safe ingredients - always check that peanut butter doesn't contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Why Make Homemade Dog Treats?
Making your own dog treats offers several advantages over store-bought options:
- Control ingredients: No preservatives, artificial colors, or mystery additives
- Accommodate allergies: Make grain-free, dairy-free, or single-protein treats
- Save money: Kitchen staples make dozens of treats for pennies
- Fresher: No sitting on shelves for months
- Customize: Adjust for your dog's size, preferences, and health needs
- Fun activity: Kids love helping make dog treats!
Before You Start
Always introduce new treats gradually to watch for any digestive upset or allergies. Start with small amounts and wait 24 hours before giving more. If your dog has health conditions, check with your vet before adding new treats.
Recipe 1: Classic Peanut Butter Dog Treats
The most popular homemade dog treat - dogs go absolutely wild for peanut butter. These crunchy biscuits are easy to make and store well.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour for grain-free)
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (NO xylitol - check the label!)
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Mix peanut butter and eggs in a large bowl
- Gradually add flour and water, mixing until a dough forms
- Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface
- Cut into shapes with cookie cutters (bone shapes are fun!)
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Bake 20-25 minutes until golden and firm
- Let cool completely before serving
Makes: About 30 medium treats | Storage: 2 weeks at room temp, 1 month refrigerated
CRITICAL: Check Your Peanut Butter!
Many peanut butter brands now contain xylitol (also called birch sugar), which is extremely toxic to dogs. Always read the ingredients list. Safe brands include most natural/organic peanut butters with only peanuts and salt.
Recipe 2: Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
Pumpkin is excellent for dogs - it's high in fiber and helps with digestive health. These treats have a soft texture dogs love.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional - dogs like it!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Mix pumpkin and egg in a large bowl
- Add flour and cinnamon, mixing until combined
- Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness
- Cut into shapes or roll into small balls
- Bake 35-40 minutes until firm
- For crunchier treats, turn off oven and leave inside 1-2 hours
Makes: About 40 treats | Storage: 1 week at room temp, 3 weeks refrigerated
Pro tip: Buy canned pumpkin after Halloween when it's on sale and stock up. It keeps for years unopened.
Recipe 3: Banana Oat Dog Cookies
Got overripe bananas? Make dog treats! The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful these treats will be.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C)
- Blend oats in a food processor until flour-like (or use as-is for texture)
- Mash bananas in a large bowl
- Mix in peanut butter and egg
- Add oats and mix until combined
- Drop spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheet
- Flatten slightly with a fork
- Bake 15-20 minutes until golden
Makes: About 24 cookies | Storage: 5 days at room temp, 2 weeks refrigerated
Dogs with healthy coats benefit from nutritious homemade treats
Recipe 4: Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats
Perfect for hot summer days! These frozen treats help keep dogs cool and hydrated while providing a special snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt (no added sugar or artificial sweeteners)
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- Optional: 1/2 cup blueberries
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth
- Pour into silicone molds (bone shapes, paw prints, or ice cube trays)
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight
- Pop out and serve frozen
Makes: About 12 treats | Storage: 3 months in freezer
Variations: Add pumpkin puree for digestive health, or swap blueberries for strawberries or watermelon (seedless).
Recipe 5: Tiny Training Treats
Training requires lots of small rewards. These tiny, soft treats are perfect for repetitive training sessions without overfeeding.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 (6oz) can wet dog food (any flavor your dog loves)
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Mix all ingredients until a sticky dough forms
- Spread dough thinly (1/8 inch) on a greased baking sheet
- Use a pizza cutter to score into tiny squares (1/2 inch)
- Bake 15 minutes until firm
- Break apart along score lines
Makes: About 100+ tiny treats | Storage: 1 week refrigerated, 1 month frozen
Training tip: Keep a portion in a treat pouch for training sessions and freeze the rest. These are only about 2-3 calories each!
Recipe 6: Sweet Potato Chews
A single-ingredient treat that's naturally chewy and satisfying. Great for dogs who need longer-lasting treats.
Ingredients
- 2-3 large sweet potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C)
- Wash and dry sweet potatoes (leave skin on)
- Slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips
- Place on wire racks over baking sheets
- Bake 3 hours, flip, bake 2-3 more hours until chewy (not crispy)
- For crunchier treats, bake longer until dried through
Makes: About 20 chews | Storage: 2 weeks at room temp, 1 month refrigerated
Dehydrator option: If you have a food dehydrator, set it to 145°F and dehydrate for 8-10 hours for even chewier treats.
Ingredients to NEVER Use in Dog Treats
These ingredients are toxic to dogs and should never be included in homemade treats:
| Ingredient | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|
| Xylitol | Extremely toxic - can cause liver failure and death even in small amounts |
| Chocolate | Contains theobromine - toxic to dogs, darker chocolate is more dangerous |
| Grapes/Raisins | Can cause kidney failure - toxicity level varies by dog |
| Onions/Garlic | Damages red blood cells, causes anemia |
| Macadamia Nuts | Causes weakness, vomiting, tremors |
| Alcohol | Even small amounts can cause poisoning |
Also avoid excessive salt, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. If you're unsure about an ingredient, check our guides on safe foods for dogs.
Storage Tips for Homemade Dog Treats
Since homemade treats lack preservatives, proper storage is essential:
| Storage Method | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature (airtight) | 5-7 days | Dry, crunchy biscuits |
| Refrigerated | 2-3 weeks | Soft treats, treats with fresh ingredients |
| Frozen | 3-6 months | Batch cooking, training treats |
- Always use airtight containers
- Check for mold or off smells before feeding
- Label containers with the date made
- Freeze treats in portion-sized bags for convenience
- Bring refrigerated treats to room temp before serving (optional, but dogs prefer it)
Portion Guidelines by Dog Size
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. Here's a rough guide:
| Dog Size | Weight | Daily Treat Calories | Approx. Treats/Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 10-20 lbs | 40-70 cal | 2-3 medium treats |
| Medium | 20-50 lbs | 70-150 cal | 4-6 medium treats |
| Large | 50-90 lbs | 150-250 cal | 6-10 medium treats |
Remember: Adjust your dog's regular food portions on days when you give extra treats to avoid weight gain.
Keep Your Dog Looking Great Too!
A healthy diet means a healthy coat. Find a professional groomer to keep your well-fed pup looking their best.
Find Groomers Near MeFrequently Asked Questions
What are the healthiest homemade dog treats?▼
The healthiest homemade dog treats use simple, whole ingredients like pumpkin puree, peanut butter (xylitol-free), banana, oats, carrots, and sweet potato. Avoid added sugars, salt, and artificial ingredients. Single-ingredient treats like frozen banana slices or dehydrated sweet potato are excellent options.
What ingredients should you avoid in homemade dog treats?▼
Never use xylitol (artificial sweetener), chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, or excessive salt in dog treats. Always check peanut butter labels for xylitol - it's toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Avoid wheat if your dog has grain sensitivities.
How long do homemade dog treats last?▼
Homemade dog treats last 5-7 days at room temperature in an airtight container, 2-3 weeks refrigerated, or 3-6 months frozen. Treats with fresh ingredients (like banana or pumpkin) should be refrigerated. Always check for mold or off smells before feeding.
Can I use regular flour in homemade dog treats?▼
Yes, regular all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour is safe for most dogs. For dogs with grain sensitivities, use oat flour, coconut flour, or chickpea flour instead. Oat flour is easy to make by blending oats in a food processor.
How many homemade treats can I give my dog per day?▼
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. For a 30-pound dog, that's roughly 70-100 calories from treats per day. Small training treats can be given more frequently since each one is only a few calories. Adjust regular meals when giving extra treats.
Are homemade dog treats better than store-bought?▼
Homemade dog treats can be healthier because you control the ingredients - no preservatives, fillers, or artificial additives. They're often more affordable and can be customized for dogs with allergies. However, quality store-bought treats with simple, recognizable ingredients are also good options.
The Bottom Line
Homemade dog treats are easy to make, affordable, and healthier than many store-bought options. Start with simple recipes like peanut butter biscuits or frozen yogurt treats, and always double-check that your peanut butter doesn't contain xylitol.
Remember to introduce new treats gradually, store them properly, and keep portions in check. Your dog will love these homemade snacks - and you'll love knowing exactly what's in them!
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