You can show your dog how much you love him by creating all-natural dog treats! If you have the time and resources, you’ll find many benefits in making homemade treats. You’ll know the ingredients because you made them yourself, they’ll be far less processed than many alternatives in the store, and you can pull your partner and children in to help create some tasty snacks as a family activity.

Making your dog treats gives your dog a healthy alternative to store-bought treats, which may have artificial dyes and preservatives. You and your family can make a day of the baking project, and recipes typically yield numerous treats that can stay fresh for a couple of weeks — making it more time- and money-efficient to bake your own!

What You Need to Make Your Own Dog Treats

If providing a healthy alternative to processed and dyed dog treats sounds perfect for your lifestyle, then you’re ready to start baking. Like with any other cooking project, you’ll need an array of tools and ingredients, too.

1. Tools

Perhaps the most essential tool you’ll need for making your dog treats is something to bake them in. If you’re planning to bake your dog treats — though there are special no-bake dog treats — you’ll need an oven or a portable dog treat maker.

You’ll also need standard baking equipment such as baking sheets, measuring cups and mixing bowls, or a mixer. You can also add in cookie cutters or fun-shaped silicone moulds if you want to get creative with the shape of your dog’s cookies!

2. Healthy Ingredients

One of the benefits of creating your own dog treats is that you get to determine what goes inside them. You can make your pup’s snacks as healthy as you want!

However, you have to remember that your dog cannot consume all the foods that you eat. When making your own dog treats, you have to pay attention to which ingredients are detrimental to your dog’s health and which should only be used in moderation.

The following foods would make tasty and healthy ingredients in your homemade dog treats:

●      Pumpkin: Helps with digestive regularity.

●      Banana: Provides fibre, potassium, and Vitamin C.

●      Carrot: Promotes coat and eye health.

●      Sweet potato: Reduces cancer risk and promotes overall health.

●      Peanut butter: Good source of protein — and it’s super tasty!

Including healthy ingredients in your dog treats that aren’t typically found in kibble can give your dog’s nutrition a boost while giving them something delicious to snack on. And you can be proud that you’re offering your pup something without preservatives and artificial dyes.

3. Dog With an Appetite

The most important part of baking dog treats is having someone around to sample them! A dog with an adventurous appetite would appreciate all the uncommon healthy ingredients in a treat. You’ll also feel better about feeding your pup more treats when he’s a good boy because you know exactly how they were made — meaning both you and your dog will be delighted!

5 Yummy Recipes for Your Pup

If you’re not skilled in the kitchen, you might start with recipes that only feature two or three simple ingredients. Once you feel your confidence level rise, you’ll be ready to take on more complex treats and offer your dog an array of healthy options.

Here’s some awesome news: you don’t need sugar, frosting, or any other type of additive. The sweeteners from fruits are all-natural. Besides, all-natural ingredients like those featured in these recipes will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

1. Peanut Butter and Banana Biscuits

If you have an abundance of bananas in your household, put them to work in your homemade dog biscuits! This recipe calls for blended peanut butter, bananas, and oats for a delicious mixture that’s packed with nutrients.

With the help of cookie cutters, they come out looking like cookies humans might eat. The best part is that you can store these treats for weeks after you craft them — no need for your dog to eat them all right away.

2. Peanut Butter Treats

It’s rare for any dog to turn down a helping of peanut butter. This tasty peanut butter-based recipe includes eggs, flour, and pumpkin puree, too. It requires a little kneading and dealing with dough, but you’ll end up with the most adorable dog biscuits that your pup will love. And since the main ingredient is peanut butter, this treat can keep your dog fuller for longer.

3. Healthy Treats for Diabetic Doggies

When you have to monitor your dog’s nutrition a little more closely, opting for a treat packed with fruits and vegetables can be more effective than one that’s peanut butter-based. This recipe requires more ingredients than the others, so it could be considered more advanced, but they can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks, thanks to the carrots and banana.

Diabetic dogs will appreciate the various flavours, and you’ll enjoy knowing your dog gets a tasty snack with all the health benefits!

4. Savoury Dog Treats

These savoury dog treats use a mixture of cheese and coconut oil to give your dog a different sort of flavour, as well as all of the benefits of coconut oil. This recipe can make dozens of small treats that can be frozen for future use. Just make sure your dog isn’t lactose intolerant before trying out this recipe!

5. No-Bake Dog Treats

If you haven’t had much baking experience, opting for no-bake dog treats might be the way to go. These treats predominantly feature peanut butter, oats, and pumpkin puree, but there is also dairy in this recipe, so it’s only for dogs who aren’t allergic to milk. With the time you’ll save making these treats, you can spend more time playing with and cuddling your lovable pup.

A Treat for Every Breed

Because nutritional needs between dogs vary, you should take care to examine your dog’s current diet and ensure you’re only feeding her supplemental ingredients. Remember that treats should be used as treats. These recipes are great to use on occasion, as a reward, or “just because.”