Homemade Dog Treats (3 Ingredients!) (2024)

FAQs

What are the healthiest ingredients for dog treats? ›

In cooking healthy homemade dog treats, certain ingredients should be included, while others should be avoided. For instance, you can use protein sources like beef or turkey. Fruits and vegetables such as apples (without seeds), carrots, and pumpkin are excellent options for adding fiber and essential nutrients.

In general, we recommend staying away from all purpose flour for your dog. It's not going to hurt them in small amounts, but it just doesn't have the nutritional value that you can get from other kinds of flour.

Dogs love the combination of peanut butter and bananas, and these treats are a perfect blend of both. Mash up a ripe banana, mix it with a spoonful of peanut butter, and add some oats for texture. Shape the mixture into small balls and bake until golden brown. Your pup won't be able to resist these drool-worthy treats!

Many store-bought treats contain artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers that may not be the healthiest option for your pet. By crafting treats at home, you have full control over what ingredients go into your furry friend's treats.

If you're considering oatmeal as an easily digestible option for a dog with an upset stomach, go for white or brown rice instead. “Those are much more tried-and-true and safe,” Watkins says. Oatmeal does, however, make a healthy addition to your dog's shampoo, Watkins says.

Yes, dogs can safely eat plain applesauce! But applesauce generally includes added sugars, so always choose unsweetened applesauce and give it to them in moderation. You can freeze applesauce in ice cube trays and share them with your dog after a long walk or on a hot summer day.

Cinnamon is non-toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. In small amounts, which means one teaspoon or less per serving as an occasional treat, it is perfectly safe and may even offer health benefits. However, in large quantities, it may irritate the mouth or stomach, cause low blood sugar or even liver disease.

Eggs should be always be cooked before given to your dog. Cook or boil the eggs plain without oil, butter, salt, or any other additives. We suggest making scrambled eggs, as it's much easier for your dog to digest and can provide quick access to the protein dogs need for maintaining lean muscle and energy.

Dogs can eat – and many really enjoy – peanut butter. But beware, some peanut butter brands contain an ingredient called xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and even eating small amounts can be fatal. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is often used in foods to keep the product sugar-free.

Is honey good for a dog? ›

Yes, dogs can have honey in small amounts as it's high in sugar. Honey provides antioxidants and can help with allergies in dogs. Some dogs may find the sweetness of honey overwhelming. Ensure honey is pure, without added sweeteners or xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

Your pet needs protein (animal meat, seafood, dairy, or eggs), fat (from meat or oil) and carbohydrates (grains or vegetables). They also need calcium (from dairy or an ingredient such as egg shells), and essential fatty acids (from certain plant oils, egg yolks, oatmeal, and other foods).

Homemade dog treats are easy to make even if you're not an expert baker! Some do not even require baking! Why homemade dog treats? They will be a lot cheaper than most commercial treats and you can guarantee the ingredients are healthy for your dog!

The best dog foods will always have meat as the top ingredient, and you should look for recipes that emphasize real animal proteins, rather than just meat meals. Because your dog's food should have more meat than any other ingredient, it's vital to choose a meat source that will benefit your dog's health.

The best fats and oils you can add to your homemade dog treat recipes are found in seeds and nuts. Fish oil is also a great option, but this is added either by using fish in the treats themselves, or by adding a few drops of fish oil (from canned fish or fish oil supplements) to the recipe.

Some of the natural preservatives to choose from include vitamin C. You can also use tocopherols and tocotrienols, or the collective term for these two is vitamin E. You can also use citric acid (like those found in citrus fruits).