Dogs love treats. They make the perfect incentive for performing tricks, and also bridge the long wait until dinner time. However, a lot of commercially produced dog treats lack nutrition and will quickly burn a hole in your pocket.
Similarly, if you’re prone to giving your dog your dinner scraps, remember that lots of human food is very dangerous for dogs. Luckily there is a solution out there: homemade dog treats are both inexpensive to make and they can be incredibly nutritious! Here are are 10 homemade dog treats to add to your recipe book:
- Basic Dog Cookies
This quick and easy recipe will make some basic homemade dog treats that your dog will love!
Ingredients- 240g whole wheat flour
- 1tbsp baking powder
- 250g peanut butter
- 240ml milk
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
Method
Preheat the oven to 190˚C. Mix together all ingredients until well blended. Knead and roll out the dough. Cut out shapes (a bone is an old favourite) and prick with a fork. Place on a greased baking tray and bake for 10 minutes.
- Cheese Biscuits
Dogs go mad for cheese, so why not bake them an easy cheesy dog treat?
Ingredients- 125g all purpose flour
- 25g grated parmesan cheese
- 25g grated cheddar cheese
- 1 egg
- 350ml evaporated milk
Method
Preheat the oven to 175˚C. Mix together all ingredients until well blended. Scoop out teaspoon size blobs and roll into balls with your hands. Place the dough balls on a greased baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes
- Gingersnaps
Make your dog’s mouth water by adding a little spice to their peanut butter treat!
Ingredients- 190g almond flour
- 170g coconut flour
- 125g – 185g peanut butter
- 3tbsp ground ginger
- 1tbsp cinnamon
- 60ml water
Method
Preheat oven to 165˚C. Mix together all ingredients until well blended. Knead and roll out the dough. Cut out your biscuits either freehand or with a cutter. Place on a greased baking tray and bake for 25 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and leave in the oven for another 45 minutes, or until crisp.
- Liver And Peanut Butter Brownies
A tasty combination of liver, wheat germ, eggs, peanut butter and a few other basics, this recipe is a bit more filling than a typical dog treat — but your dog probably won’t mind!
Ingredients- 560g Beef liver or chicken liver
- 240g Wheat germ
- 2 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 200g cooked barley
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Method
Preheat the oven to 175˚C. In a food processor, blend the liver and garlic together until smooth. Then add the eggs, peanut butter, oil and salt and blend again. In a separate bowl mix together the remaining the ingredients, then combine with the wet mixture. Once the mixture is thoroughly combined, pour into a 22cm x 22cm baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
- Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
This yummy doggie version of a peanut butter and banana muffin, and the addition of honey will make your dog feel like they’re eating dessert.
Ingredients- 125 g all-purpose flour
- 120 g whole wheat flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 125 g peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 175ml milk
- 1 banana
- 3 tbsp oil
- 60 ml honey
Method
Preheat the oven to 200˚C. Mix together all the dry ingredients and set aside. In a food processor, blend the peanut butter, egg, milk, banana, honey and oil until smooth. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones until it is well mixed. Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tray or into paper muffin cups until they are about ¾ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or 12-14 minutes if you’re making smaller muffins.
- Tasty Ice Cubes
One a hot day, try freezing beef or chicken stock in an ice cube tray, and pop one out every time you want to give your dog a refreshing homemade dog treat!
- “Ice Cream” for Dogs
Just as refreshing on a hot day is a helping of delicious doggie ice cream:
Ingredients- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp honey
- 490g plain natural yoghurt
- 250g peanut butter
Method
Mash the banana and then stir into the yoghurt and honey. Soften the peanut butter in the microwave and then stir into the rest of the ingredients. Once mixed, pour into a non-stick container and freeze.
- Dried Chicken Strips
This recipe is pretty much as simple as it sounds, and will have your dog performing any tricks for you!
Ingredients- Chicken breast
Method
Slice the chicken breast into strips – as thin as you can. Place on a baking sheet, put in a cold oven and turn up the heat to 150˚C. After one hour, reduce the temperature to 100˚C and leave for another 1.5-2 hours, cracking the over door open slightly to let out the moisture. Allow the chicken to dry overnight at room temperature. Store in a sealed container.
- Carrot Treats
Carrots are a nutritious addition to your dog’s diet, so use them in cookies for a great treat for your dog.
Ingredients- 1 mashed banana
- 900g shredded carrots (skin on)
- 60ml unsweetened apple juice
- 30ml water
- 180g whole wheat flour
- 85g rolled oats
Method
Preheat the oven to 175˚C. In a bowl, mix together the banana, shredded carrots, then slowly adding the apple juice and water. Once mixed, stir in the oats and flour and knead until it’s a doughy consistency. Roll out the dough on a floured surface until about 1cm thick and cut out around 24 cookie shapes. Place on a greased baking tray and bake for 25 minutes.
- Anti-Flea Treats
As well as being a tasty homemade dog treat, this recipe contains yeast and garlic powder, both of which might reduce the risk of your dog catching fleas. Find out more ways to prevent your dogs getting fleas.
Ingredients- 350ml beef stock
- 240g whole wheat flour
- 160g cornmeal
- 125g brewer’s yeast
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 egg yolks
Method
Preheat the oven to 190˚C. In a bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients. Beat in the egg yolks. Then, slowly add the beef stock a little at a time, mixing until the mixture forms a stiff dough. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 6 mm thick and cut out your cookies. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. To make the treats crispy, turn the oven off but leave the treats there to cool for up to three hours.
