Head scratches and belly rubs are good, but the fastest way into a dog’s heart is usually through their stomach. Most dogs will gobble up anything you put in front of them, but if you really want to pamper your pup, try providing them with delicious and nutritious treats. With homemade dog treats, you know exactly what you’re feeding your dog. There are no hidden preservatives or mystery ingredients. You can cater your recipes to the flavors and textures your dog likes best all while avoiding allergens and unhealthy additives. As a bonus, letting your dog watch you bake (and maybe even lick the bowl) will be a great bonding activity.
Whether it’s your first foray into your at-home doggy bakery or you’re already a pro at homemade goodies, these healthy dog treat recipes are sure to get your pup drooling with anticipation. These recipes are easy to follow and most include ingredients you already have in the house. It’s time to pick your favorites and start baking!
1. Frozen Watermelon Pupsicles
Perfect for a hot summer’s day, these frozen treats from Grrfeisty take only minutes of your time. There are only two ingredients, and the combination of fruits is perfectly healthy for your dog. Remember, however, watermelon seeds can be dangerous if swallowed. Choose a seedless watermelon if you can, or else take time to scoop out seeds before starting this recipe.
Ingredients
- ¼ (seedless) watermelon
- 1 can coconut milk
Instructions
- Blend ingredients together
- Pour into ice cube trays and place in freezer until frozen
2. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Healthy Dog Treats
Few dogs can resist the paw-licking goodness of peanut butter. The key to keeping their PB obsession healthy is choosing the right brand. You want peanut butter that is raw, unsalted, and does not contain the sweetener called xylitol. Xylitol is right up there with chocolate when it comes to foods that are dangerous to dogs. It can cause seizures, liver failure, and even death. Always read the back of the jar before spooning out PB for your dog. As long as you choose a healthy brand, peanut butter is great for dogs. It’s full of protein and healthy fats. This healthy dog treat recipe from All Recipes allows your dog to indulge in peanut butter, and the pumpkin provides a good source of fiber to support digestive health.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup canned pumpkin
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix all ingredients in large bowl adding water to make dough more workable
- Roll dough into ½-inch thick slab
- Cut into desired shapes and sizes
- Bake until hard (about 40 minutes)
3. Easy Two-Ingredient Dog Treats
The best thing about this healthy dog treat recipe from Dog-Milk is it can be customized based on your dog’s favorite flavors or what you already have in the house. There are only two ingredients, and both are flexible so you can really make these treats how you want them. If you want to make them grain-free, substitute the whole wheat flour for bean flour, coconut flour, or buckwheat. For the other half of the ingredient list, healthy options include sweet potato, blueberry, and chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or your grain-free choice of flour)
- 2 (4oz) jars of pureed baby food (make sure there are no grapes, onions, or raisins that are toxic to dogs)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix ingredients to form a stiff dough
- Roll dough into ¼-inch thickness
- Cut dough into desired shapes or sizes
- Bake for 20-25 minutes
4. Pumpkin Apple Dog Treats
Pumpkin and apple are both on the dog-approved list of healthy and delicious foods. Pumpkin is great for dogs with frequent tummy troubles, and apples are rich in vitamins and fiber. The only things you have to watch out for are apple seeds that contain cyanide. For this healthy dog treat recipe from Three Little Ferns, make sure you properly core the apples and remove all seeds. Serving size will depend on how big you decide to make your treats, but remember all extra treats (even the healthy ones) should be counted into your dog’s daily caloric intake. Too many treats will lead to overfeeding and obesity. Stick to feeding your dog 1-3 treats a day.
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups oatmeal
- 1 medium apple
- 1 egg
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Grind the oatmeal in a food processor or blender
- Grate apple and add to oatmeal
- Mix in egg and pumpkin
- Dust a clean surface with oatmeal and roll out dough to ½-inch thickness
- Cut dough into shapes and bake for 12-15 minutes
5. The Naked Option
Admit it, no matter how much you love your dog, sometimes there isn’t enough time in the day to make your own healthy dog treats. Even these simple recipes require prep and clean up. The good news is, busy pup parents don’t have to settle for regular store-bought dog treats. Naked Dog Bistro is a dog bakery that makes freshly baked, grain-free dog treats every day. They use all-natural and organic ingredients with no preservatives or artificial colorings. Every day they turn out healthy dog treats in flavors like pumpkin, salmon, peanut butter, carrot, and cheddar. There are biscuits, donuts, and even dog sushi and French fries.
For an all-around healthy diet, Naked Dog Bistro also makes their own organic and grain-free fresh dog food. They have several different recipes including Irish Lamb Stew, Paw Lickin’ Chicken, and Bark-B-Que Beef.
Give Naked Dog Bistro a call at 949-715-9900 to start your dog on a healthy, all-natural diet they’ll love.
