Your Dog Will Love These Homemade Vet-Approved Dog Treat Recipes! – American Kennel Club (2024)

There are thousands of dog treat products on the market, so why on earth would anyone consider making her own? For starters, when you make your own dog treats, you have control over what ingredients are included. Want another reason to make these vet-approved dog treats? The recipes are quick, easy, and fun!

Apple Pretzels Recipe for Dogs

The recipe may look like it has a lot of steps, but this 3-ingredient baked treat is easy to make. And, if you've ever made pretzels, you know they're fun to roll and twist. You can even make your own crazy shapes. Your dog won’t care how you twist them — he’ll love the taste.

Ingredients
• 3 cups almond flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup plain, unsweetened applesauce

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
3. Beat egg and set aside
4. Mix applesauce and almond flour in a large bowl
5. Pour 1 tablespoon of the egg into a bowl and set aside
6. Pour the rest of the egg into the bowl with mixed ingredients
7. Stir the mixture until a dough forms
8. Take a two-tablespoon-size piece of dough and roll into a tube
9. Take each tube and make into a “U” shape, then twist the ends together and fold back to the top to make a pretzel shape
10. Place the pretzels onto the baking tray
11. Brush the top of each pretzel with the remaining egg
12. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, until they're slightly browned and firm
13. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving

Blackberry Biscuit Dog Treats Recipe

Pick up some extra blackberries next time you’re at the farmer’s market to make these vet-approved blackberry biscuits for your dog. Your dog will love them . . . and you may even be tempted to take a bite!

Ingredients
• 4 cups almond flour
• ¾ cup flax meal
• ½ cup blackberries
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 egg

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
3. Mix all ingredients together with 1 cup water to form a dough
4. Roll dough until 1/4-inch thick
5. Cut out biscuits with small cookie cutter
6. Re-roll remaining dough and cut out more biscuits
7. Place biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet
8. Bake for 30 minutes, until nicely browned and firm
9. Remove biscuits from oven and allow to cool before serving

Mini Omelette Recipe for Dogs

What, you may ask, makes this omelette different from one you’d make for yourself? Maybe only the absence of spices, herbs, and butter. Your dog won’t miss that stuff — he’ll love this healthy treat. He'll be so busy gobbling it down that he won't mind if you make one for yourself.

Ingredients
• 2 eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein and can help an upset stomach. However, eating raw egg whites can give dogs biotin deficiency, so be sure to cook the eggs all the way through before giving them to your pet.
• ½ cup cooked salmon, thinly sliced, OR pulled grilled chicken
Salmon is loaded with vitamins and protein.
Make sure chicken is skinless and boneless.
• ½ green pepper, diced
Bell peppers provide beta-carotene and are high in vitamin C.

Directions
1. Lightly grease frying pan with a small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
2. Turn the heat for the frying pan to medium/high
3. Crack eggs into a bowl and stir with fork until mixed
4. Once the frying pan is heated, gently pour the mixed eggs into the center of the frying pan
5. Tilt the pan to spread the egg mixture evenly
6. Once the egg is halfway firm, sprinkle on the green pepper and salmon or grilled chicken
7. With a spatula, fold the egg in half and allow to heat until egg appears to be firm
8. Remove omelet from pan and place on plate
9. Allow to cool and serve

Frozen Meat Treats Recipe for Dogs

Chicken and carrots are two of dogs’ favorite foods. This vet-approved frozen meat treat adds another — a little yogurt. Freeze the treats in ice cube trays, and you’ll have a ready-made treat for your dog anytime.

Ingredients
• 2 cups grilled chicken
Make sure chicken is skinless and boneless.
• ¾ plain low-fat or fat-free yogurt
Do not use yogurt with xylitol, and do not use at all if dog is lactose intolerant.
• 1 carrot
If your dog is diabetic, use a smaller amount.
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions
1. Stir all the ingredients together
2. Freeze in ice cube trays
3. For small dogs, you can pour the mixture into a piping bag and pipe little droplets onto a parchment-lined baking sheet before freezing

Red, White, and Blue Yogurt Popsicles Recipe for Dogs

Made with fresh berries, these patriotic popsicles can be a Fourth of July treat for your dog. And they’ll be just as good on any hot day. As a plus, they're quick and easy to make.

Ingredients
• 1 cup whole blueberries
Blueberries are high in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.
• 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
Strawberries are high in sugar. Use small amounts if your dog is diabetic.
• 1 cup plain yogurt
Do not use yogurt containing xylitol. Do not use if your dog is lactose intolerant.

Directions
1. Gently mix all ingredients together in a bowl
2. Pour mixture into ice cube tray or large mold
3. Freeze for at least 4-to-5 hours
4. Remove one popsicle, and let your dog enjoy!

Your Dog Will Love These Homemade Vet-Approved Dog Treat Recipes! – American Kennel Club (2024)

FAQs

Are homemade dog treats good for dogs? ›

Homemade dog treats have benefits beyond being budget-friendly. With DIY treats, you know exactly what foods your dog is eating. Along with being free from harmful ingredients, homemade dog snacks can make great training treats, especially when made in smaller sizes.

What are the best ingredients to put in homemade dog food? ›

Proper Nutrition for Dogs
  • At least 10% protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef.
  • Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta, and potatoes (also provides some fiber)
  • About 2.5-4.5% fiber, which can come from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots.
  • At least 5.5% fat, usually in the form of vegetable oil.
Oct 19, 2022

What baking ingredients are safe for dogs? ›

Ingredients that are safe for your dog:
  • Peanut butter: As previously mentioned, some peanut butters can contain xylitol. ...
  • Flour and oats: These can be good sources of fiber and help with digestion.
  • Pumpkin: This is a great source of fiber. ...
  • Yogurt: Small amounts are okay to give to your dog.

Can dogs eat homemade dog food everyday? ›

The answer is yes, dogs can eat homemade food every day, as long as you consult with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure your pet is being fed the correct balance of vitamins and nutrients they need.

What flour is best for dog treats? ›

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. You could alternatively substitute this with oat flour or another dog-safe flour.

What three ingredients should not be in dog food? ›

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.

What homemade food can dogs eat everyday? ›

7 Foods to Cook For Your Dog
  • Chicken. Cooked chicken is a good source of protein for dogs. ...
  • Lean Ground Turkey. Lean ground turkey is a safe food to cook for your dog. ...
  • Eggs. Cooked eggs are a safe, healthy food with lots of minerals and vitamins. ...
  • Raw or Steamed Vegetables. ...
  • Fresh Fruits. ...
  • Boiled Potatoes. ...
  • Peanut Butter. ...
  • Yogurt.
Sep 12, 2023

Do vets recommend homemade dog food? ›

“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.

What ingredient should not be in dog treats? ›

6 Ingredients To Avoid When Buying Dog Treats
  • Glycerin. ...
  • Sodium Tripolyphosphate (aka STPP or E451) ...
  • Vague 'Catch-All' Terms. ...
  • Wheat. ...
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole (aka BHA or E320) & Butylated Hydroxytoluene (aka BHT or E321) ...
  • Potassium Sorbate (aka PSG or E202)
Feb 28, 2019

What are the top ingredients to avoid in dog food? ›

To help you with this, we have listed ten ingredients to avoid in dog food.
  1. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) First on our list is butylated hydroxyanisole, also known as BHA. ...
  2. White Flour. ...
  3. Meat Meal. ...
  4. Artificial Food Coloring. ...
  5. Corn Syrup. ...
  6. Rendered Fat. ...
  7. Vegetable Oil. ...
  8. Farmed Salmon.
Nov 12, 2021

How do you make high value dog treats? ›

You just puree a can of tuna in your food processor, add an egg, a little flour, bake and cut. For training, you can cut them small so they are eaten in a second, and they don't crumble in training pouches* or bags in your pocket.

Do dogs live longer with homemade dog food? ›

A similar research conducted by Belgium scientists, titled “Relation Between the Domestic Dogs: Well-Being and Life Expectancy, A Statistical Essay,” revealed that dogs who had a high-quality, homemade diet (not table scraps or industrial, commercial pet food) extended their life expectancy by 32 months.

Is oatmeal or rice better for dogs? ›

Plain rice is the way to go—your dog will still find it delicious. Use whole grain oatmeal and steer away from quick oatmeal. In particular, do not give your dog flavored instant oats that may have a lot of added sugar, or even sweeteners, like xylitol, that are toxic to dogs.

How many cups of homemade dog food should I feed my dog? ›

Food Calculator
DOG'S WEIGHTAMOUNT TO FEED
10 LB1 CUP PER DAY
15 LB1 1/4 CUP PER DAY
20 LB1 1/2 CUP PER DAY
25 LB1 3/4 CUP PER DAY
3 more rows

Why homemade dog treats are better than store-bought? ›

Cost: Store-bought treats can be more expensive than homemade treats, especially if you choose premium brands. Quality Control: Some store-bought treats contain low-quality ingredients, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors that can be harmful to your dog.

Why are homemade treats better for dogs? ›

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.

Do homemade dog treats need to be FDA approved? ›

There is no requirement that pet food products have premarket approval by the FDA. However, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires that pet foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.

Is it OK to give your dog treats everyday? ›

Dog treats should only be used as rewards for good behavior and make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. So, for example, if you have a small dog that needs 400 calories a day, and the treats you give them are 20 calories each, then they can have two of them per day.

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