Home-made dog treats have recently gained popularity among dog owners who wish to maintain greater control over their pet’s diets. Although store-bought treats are often convenient to use, some of them include preservatives, artificial flavors, additional sugar, or ingredients that might be hard to decipher.
Baking treats at home makes it possible for pet owners to utilize natural ingredients while providing treats specific to the individual preference of the dog. The best thing about it is that dog treats do not require complicated baking techniques or expensive ingredients.
There are plenty of healthy recipes that can be made with basic products like oats, pumpkin puree, bananas, carrots, eggs, and plain yogurt. The mentioned ingredients are usually found in dog treat recipes because they are cheap, natural, and considered to be safe for healthy dogs if consumed in reasonable quantities.
However, before including any new ingredient in your dog’s diet, be sure to check with your vet if your dog suffers from any conditions such as allergies, sensitive digestion, diabetes, kidney problems, obesity, etc.
Why More Dog Owners Are Making Homemade Treats
Pet owners tend to go for homemade treats since they have full control of what goes into each batch. Unlike other commercial products, homemade treats give you the option of avoiding unnecessary ingredients and concentrating on simple ones.
Homemade treats can also be made depending on the dog’s age, size, and preference. For instance, dogs who like crunchy biscuits will enjoy oat treats, while older dogs with dental problems would do well with soft treats such as pumpkin or banana treats.
Common Ingredients Added in Homemade Dog Treats
The following list of ingredients are usually used in homemade dog treat preparations as they are highly versatile and simple to use.
| Ingredient | Common Use in Dog Treats |
| Pumpkin Puree | Adds moisture and fiber |
| Rolled Oats | Provides texture and structure |
| Banana | Natural sweetness |
| Sweet Potato | Chewy baked treats |
| Carrots | Crunchy snacks and biscuits |
| Blueberries | Frozen and baked treats |
| Plain Yogurt | Frozen treats and pops |
| Eggs | Natural binding ingredient |
| Peanut Butter* | Flavor and texture |
| Sardines or Tuna | Protein-rich training treats |
*Please make sure that any peanut butter you use doesn’t contain xylitol, which is a sweetener poisonous for dogs.
25 Easy Dog Treat Recipes With 5 Ingredients or Less
1. Banana Oat Cookies
Ingredients
- One ripe banana
- One cup rolled oats
Mash the banana thoroughly and combine with oats. Shape into small cookies and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
2. Pumpkin Oat Bites
Ingredients
- Half cup pumpkin puree
- One cup rolled oats
Mix until combined, roll into bite-sized pieces, and bake until firm.
3. Sweet Potato Chews
Ingredients
- One large sweet potato
Slice into thin strips and bake at 250°F (120°C) for 2–3 hours until chewy.
4. Frozen Banana Coins
Ingredients
- One banana
Slice and freeze for a refreshing snack on warm days.
5. Blueberry Yogurt Drops
Ingredients
- Half cup plain yogurt
- one-fourth cup blueberries
Blend and freeze in silicone molds.
6. Peanut Butter Oat Cookies
Ingredients
- Half cup natural peanut butter
- One cup oats
- one-fourth cup water
Mix ingredients, shape into cookies, and bake until lightly golden.
7. Carrot Crunch Bites
Ingredients
- One cup shredded carrots
- One egg
- One cup oat flour
Combine ingredients and bake until firm.
8. Apple Oat Cookies
Ingredients
- One grated apple
- One cup oats
Mix and bake. Remove all seeds and the core before preparing the apple.
9. Pumpkin Peanut Butter Biscuits
Ingredients
- Half cup pumpkin puree
- one-fourth cup peanut butter
- One cup oat flour
Roll out dough, cut into shapes, and bake.
10. Frozen Watermelon Cubes
Ingredients
- Seedless watermelon
Cube and freeze.
11. Chicken Training Treats
Ingredients
- One cup cooked plain chicken breast
- One egg
Blend, bake in a thin layer, and cut into small pieces.
12. Tuna Squares
Ingredients
- One can tuna packed in water
- One egg
- Half cup oat flour
Bake and slice into bite-sized squares.
13. Cottage Cheese Cookies
Ingredients
- Half cup cottage cheese
- One egg
- One cup oat flour
Mix and bake until lightly browned.
14. Blueberry Banana Snacks
Ingredients
- One banana
- one-fourth cup blueberries
- One cup oats
Blend, shape, and bake.
15. Egg Oat Biscuits
Ingredients
- Two eggs
- One cup oat flour
Mix into a dough and bake until crisp.
16. Pumpkin Ice Cubes
Ingredients
- Half cup pumpkin puree
- Half cup water
Freeze in ice cube trays.
17. Apple Crunch Treats
Ingredients
- One apple
- One cup oats
Bake until crunchy.
18. Turkey Training Bites
Ingredients
- One cup cooked turkey
- One egg
Bake and cut into small rewards.
19. Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Bites
Ingredients
- One banana
- one-fourth cup peanut butter
- Half cup plain yogurt
Blend and freeze.
20. Spinach Cookies
Ingredients
- Half cup cooked spinach
- One egg
- One cup oat flour
Mix and bake.
21. Pumpkin Carrot Treats
Ingredients
- Half cup pumpkin puree
- Half cup shredded carrots
- One cup oat flour
Bake until firm.
22. Sardine Bites
Ingredients
- One can sardines packed in water
- One egg
- Half cup oat flour
Bake and cut into small pieces.
23. Frozen Blueberries
Ingredients
- Fresh blueberries
Freeze and serve occasionally.
24. Cheese Oat Biscuits
Ingredients
- Half cup shredded cheddar cheese
- One egg
- One cup oat flour
Bake until lightly golden.
25. Mini Pumpkin Training Treats
Ingredients
- Half cup pumpkin puree
- One egg
- One cup oat flour
- Two tbsp peanut butter
Shape into tiny bites and bake until crisp.
Before Feeding Homemade Treats
Even though your ingredients are healthy, always introduce them slowly. It is possible that some dogs may be sensitive to dairy, grains, or proteins. When experimenting with new recipes, feed a little bit at first and watch your dog for any signs of digestive distress. Treats should always constitute only a small part of a dog’s total daily caloric needs. Too many treats, even the home-made kind, can result in weight gain.
Storage and Freshness Guide
As homemade treats contain fewer preservatives than commercial products, proper storage is important.
| Treat Type | Storage Method | Recommended Storage Time |
| Dry Baked Treats | Airtight Container | Up to 5 Days |
| Soft Treats | Refrigerator | 3 to 5 Days |
| Meat-Based Treats | Refrigerator | 2 to 3 Days |
| Frozen Fruit Treats | Freezer | Up to 2.5 Months |
| Frozen Yogurt Treats | Freezer | Up to 50 days |
Ingredients to Never Feed Your Dog
As there are lots of fruits and veggies that a dog can eat safely, there are also certain ingredients which can cause problems. Do not use chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, too much salt, too much sugar or any ingredients with xylitol in them. In case you think your pet ate something harmful, contact your vet or a specialized poison control center for animals right away.
What to Remember
The homemade dog treats do not require complex recipes or fancy ingredients to work well. By using simple ingredients like pumpkin, oats, bananas, carrots, eggs, and yogurt, one is able to bake different types of dog treats with ease. From training treats to the ones for summer, these recipes can serve as good guidelines for making easy dog treats.
FAQ’s
Is it okay for dogs to eat peanut butter daily?
It is generally safe for dogs to eat xylitol-free peanut butter occasionally due to being high-calorie food.
How long can homemade treats keep?
This will depend on the recipe. Dry baked treats will usually keep for days; frozen treats will keep for months provided proper storage.
Are homemade treats better for dogs compared to store-bought treats?
Home-made treats allow owners to be in charge of ingredients but should be given occasionally.
Can puppies eat these recipes?
There are many recipes that can be suitable for puppies, but it would be good to give them in smaller quantities.
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