How to Make Healthy Homemade Treats for Your Dog

Introduction

As a loving dog owner, you want to provide the best care for your furry friend, including delicious and nutritious treats. Store-bought dog treats often contain preservatives and artificial ingredients that may not be ideal for your pet’s health. By making homemade treats, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring your dog gets wholesome and tasty snacks. In this article, we will share 30 healthy homemade treats that your dog will absolutely adore.

Important Tips for Homemade Dog Treats

Tip 1: Use Dog-Friendly Ingredients

When making homemade treats, avoid ingredients that are toxic or harmful to dogs, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins. Opt for safe alternatives like peanut butter, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and lean meats.

Tip 2: Monitor Portion Sizes

Treats should complement your dog’s regular diet, not replace it. Be mindful of portion sizes, and avoid overfeeding, as excessive treats can lead to weight gain and health issues.

Tip 3: Check for Allergies

If your dog has food allergies or sensitivities, consult your veterinarian before introducing new ingredients into their diet. Watch for any adverse reactions when trying out new treat recipes.

Tip 4: Use Organic Ingredients

Whenever possible, choose organic and natural ingredients to avoid harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

1. Peanut Butter Banana Bites

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana, mashed
½ cup natural peanut butter
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix mashed banana and peanut butter.
Gradually add whole wheat flour and knead the dough until well combined.
Roll out the dough and cut into small bite-sized pieces.
Place the treats on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

2. Sweet Potato Chews

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
Wash and peel the sweet potatoes.
Cut the sweet potatoes into thin slices or strips.
Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 2-3 hours until the chews are dried and crispy.

3. Chicken and Carrot Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup grated carrots
½ cup oats
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, grated carrots, oats, and beaten egg.
Roll the mixture into small meatballs and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

4. Pumpkin Pupcakes

Ingredients:

1 cup canned pumpkin puree
½ cup natural peanut butter
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and eggs in a bowl.
Gradually add whole wheat flour and stir until well combined.
Spoon the batter into greased cupcake molds.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

5. Blueberry Oat Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh blueberries
1 ½ cups rolled oats
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a blender, puree the blueberries and applesauce.
In a bowl, mix the puree with rolled oats and beaten egg.
Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until firm and lightly browned.

6. Cheesy Spinach Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked spinach, chopped
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups oat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix chopped spinach, shredded cheddar cheese, oat flour, and beaten egg.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Flatten the balls with a fork or your fingers.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Carob Coconut Balls

Ingredients:

½ cup carob powder
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions:

In a bowl, mix carob powder, shredded coconut, honey, and coconut oil.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a plate lined with parchment paper.
Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

8. Apple Cinnamon Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup grated apple
1 ½ cups brown rice flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix grated apple, brown rice flour, ground cinnamon, and beaten egg.
Roll out the dough and cut into cookie shapes using a cookie cutter.
Place the cookies on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

9. Salmon Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked salmon, flaked
½ cup cooked quinoa
½ cup steamed peas
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix flaked salmon, cooked quinoa, steamed peas, and beaten egg.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Flatten the balls with a fork or your fingers.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Zucchini Chips

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 225°F (110°C).
In a bowl, toss zucchini slices with olive oil, garlic powder, and dried parsley.
Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 2-3 hours or until the chips are crispy.

11. Cranberry Turkey Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked turkey, shredded
½ cup dried cranberries
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix shredded turkey, dried cranberries, whole wheat flour, and beaten egg.
Roll out the dough and cut into biscuit shapes using a cookie cutter.
Place the biscuits on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

12. Cheddar Cauliflower Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked cauliflower, mashed
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups oat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix mashed cauliflower, shredded cheddar cheese, oat flour, and beaten egg.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Flatten the balls with a fork or your fingers.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

13. Beef and Cheese Twists

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked beef, shredded
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix shredded beef, shredded mozzarella cheese, whole wheat flour, and beaten egg.
Roll out the dough and cut into strips.
Twist each strip and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

14. Liver Brownies

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked liver, pureed
½ cup oat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix pureed liver, oat flour, and beaten egg.
Spread the mixture evenly in a greased baking dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the brownies are firm.
Cut the brownies into small squares.

15. Broccoli and Cheese Nuggets

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked broccoli, finely chopped
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups oat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, oat flour, and beaten egg.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Flatten the balls with a fork or your fingers.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

16. Tuna Crunchies

Ingredients:

1 cup canned tuna, drained
½ cup oat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix canned tuna, oat flour, and beaten egg.
Roll out the dough and cut into small shapes using a cookie cutter.
Place the treats on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

17. Kale Chips

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh kale leaves, torn into small pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).
In a bowl, toss kale pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, and turmeric powder.
Place the kale pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chips are crispy.

18. Beef Jerky Strips

Ingredients:

1 pound beef (such as sirloin or round), thinly sliced
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 175°F (80°C).
In a bowl, marinate the beef slices in soy sauce and honey for 2 hours.
Place the beef slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 4-5 hours or until the jerky is dry and chewy.

19. Carrot and Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup grated carrots
½ cup canned pumpkin puree
1 ½ cups oat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix grated carrots, pumpkin puree, oat flour, and beaten egg.
Roll out the dough and cut into cookie shapes using a cookie cutter.
Place the cookies on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

20. Cottage Cheese Pops

Ingredients:

1 cup cottage cheese
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 ½ cups oat flour
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, applesauce, oat flour, and beaten egg.
Spoon the batter into greased ice cube trays or silicone molds.
Bake for 15-18 minutes or until firm.

21. Watermelon Popsicles

Ingredients:

2 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
½ cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:

In a blender, puree the chopped watermelon until smooth.
In a bowl, mix the watermelon puree, plain yogurt, and honey.
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds or ice cube trays.
Freeze for 2-3 hours or until the popsicles are set.

22. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Ingredients:

½ cup natural peanut butter
½ cup unsweetened strawberry jam
2 slices whole wheat bread
Instructions:

Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread.
Spread strawberry jam on the other slice of bread.
Press the slices together to form a sandwich.
Cut the sandwich into small squares or shapes.

23. Green Bean Crunchies

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked green beans, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, toss chopped green beans with olive oil and turmeric powder.
Place the green beans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.

24. Quinoa and Chicken Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
½ cup cooked peas
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix cooked quinoa, shredded chicken, cooked peas, and beaten egg.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Flatten the balls with a fork or your fingers.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

25. Mango Sorbet

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen mango chunks
½ cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:

In a blender, puree the frozen mango chunks until smooth.
In a bowl, mix the mango puree, plain yogurt, and honey.
Pour the mixture into small cups or ice cube trays.
Freeze for 2-3 hours or until the sorbet is set.

26. Turkey and Sweet Potato Wraps

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked turkey, shredded
½ cup mashed sweet potato
2 whole wheat tortillas
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix shredded turkey and mashed sweet potato.
Spread the mixture evenly on the whole wheat tortillas.
Roll up the tortillas and cut into small slices.

27. Parsley and Mint Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups oat flour
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried mint
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix oat flour, dried parsley, dried mint, and beaten egg.
Roll out the dough and cut into biscuit shapes using a cookie cutter.
Place the biscuits on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

28. Coconut Yogurt Drops

Ingredients:

1 cup plain yogurt
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drop small spoonfuls of yogurt onto the parchment paper.
Sprinkle shredded coconut on top of each yogurt drop.
Bake for 2-3 hours or until the drops are dry and firm.

29. Chia Seed and Blueberry Treats

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh blueberries
1 ½ cups oat flour
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a blender, puree the fresh blueberries until smooth.
In a bowl, mix the blueberry puree, oat flour, chia seeds, and beaten egg.
Roll out the dough and cut into small shapes using a cookie cutter.
Place the treats on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

30. Rice and Pumpkin Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked white rice
½ cup canned pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix cooked white rice, pumpkin puree, and honey.
Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Flatten the balls with a fork or your fingers.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Conclusion

By making homemade treats for your dog, you can provide them with wholesome and delicious snacks that contribute to their overall health and well-being. Remember to use dog-friendly ingredients, monitor portion sizes, and check for any allergies before introducing new treats. Whether you choose to bake, dehydrate, or freeze treats, your furry companion will undoubtedly appreciate the love and effort you put into their homemade goodies.