Easy Homemade Dog Treats! (2024)

FAQs

What is the best recipe for dog treats? ›

Dogs love the combination of peanut butter and bananas, and these treats are a perfect blend of both. Mash up a ripe banana, mix it with a spoonful of peanut butter, and add some oats for texture. Shape the mixture into small balls and bake until golden brown. Your pup won't be able to resist these drool-worthy treats!

In general, we recommend staying away from all purpose flour for your dog. It's not going to hurt them in small amounts, but it just doesn't have the nutritional value that you can get from other kinds of flour.

Yes. Like many other fruits and vegetables, dogs get health benefits from carrots. In fact, every part of this vegetable, from the carrot itself to the leafy green tops, is safe for dogs to eat. They're a good, natural treat, and most dogs seem to like the flavor, too.

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

Healthier ingredients

Homemade dog treats, especially when made with my Bake & Treat dog treat baking mixes, are infinitely healthier than commercial dog treats. They contain only 100% natural ingredients. They don't have an extended shelf-life so they don't contain unhealthy preservatives.

Consider treats that contain dog-safe fruits and vegetables like carrots, green beans, apples and bananas that offer very few calories and have good nutritional value, experts say.

Is Oatmeal Good for Dogs? Plain, cooked oatmeal can be a great addition to your dog's diet. This heart-healthy breakfast is rich in soluble fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins that help support your dog's coat and skin. The high fiber content helps promote digestion and weight management.

The bottom line. When prepared properly, oatmeal can be a healthy addition to your dog's diet. Be sure to only feed dogs cooked oatmeal and opt for plain varieties prepared with water instead of milk. You should also increase their intake gradually to assess your dog's tolerance.

“To fully reap the nutritional benefits of carrots, you must lightly cook or steam fresh carrots. Most dogs love cooked carrots as much as the raw crunchy ones. The healthiest way to cook carrots is to lightly steam them, which enhances their flavor while retaining most of the nutrients.”

Can dogs eat raw oats? ›

Because raw oats are harder for your dog to digest, they should always be cooked (and thoroughly cooled) before serving. When preparing oats for a dog, avoid using milk of both the dairy and non-dairy variety.

Can Dogs Have Cucumbers? Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and offer a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Cucumbers only contain about 8 calories per one-half cup of slices, compared to the 40 calories in a single medium dog biscuit. Cucumbers are also very low in sodium and fat-free.

Corn Syrup - Used to sweeten your dog's food, but too much sugar leads to weight gain, diabetes, and hyperactivity. Sodium - Like in humans, too much salt can lead to high blood pressure among other health conditions. BHA/BHT - Preservatives known for causing kidney damage and directly linked to cancer.

Good homemade food for healthy dogs includes all the vitamins, calcium, proteins and minerals your pet needs to stay healthy. You can add ground beef, chicken, lamb or venison, as well as vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.

Starting With Protein

The first five ingredients of your dog's food should always start with protein.

Whole wheat flour: is packed with fiber, and protein, and is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin E, copper, iron, manganese, and selenium.

Dog biscuits come in all shapes, sizes, and quality levels. When you take a closer look at their labels, you'll notice most are made from corn, wheat, and other fillers. Those famous bone-shaped biscuits--their top ingredients are wheat flour, wheat bran, bone meal, and poultry by-product meal.