8 Delicious Dog Treats You Can Make at Home

As a pet owner, you already know that it might be challenging to think of another thing that will make your pup as happy and excited as dog treats do. Besides, dog treats can be used not only to please your pet but also to train it, teach it new tricks and commands, as well as to encourage positive behavior in your dog. They can also serve as an additional source of necessary nutrients, as feeding your pet even with the best wet dog food might not be enough.

However, remember that everything is good in moderation and make sure to not overdo with treats – even when it feels impossible to resist those pleading puppy eyes. Nevertheless, stocking up on dog treats may be costly, which combined with the price of puppies from reputable breeders could make you start worrying about your bank account.

However, there’s a way to remedy at least a part of this issue – you could make some dog treats at home. It’s not as time-consuming as you might think, and you’ll get complete control over the ingredients you’re going to give your dog, which is vital if your pup is allergic to something.

Below, you will find several delicious recipes for homemade dog treats, including peanut butter dog treats, heart-shaped cranberry cookies for dogs, apple carrot dog treats, frosted pumpkin treats, and dog donuts. Read on and make your dog feel like a part of your family!

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Peanut butter dog treats are easy to make and do not require too much time. The recipe is very simple and can be used both as a training treat and a simple snack for your pet. 

You will need:

• ½ cup peanut butter,
• 1 cup flour,
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk,
• 3-4 cups whole wheat bread crumbs,
• cookie cutters if you want to make the treats in different shapes and sizes

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Mix peanut butter, flour, and condensed milk into a thick dough.
2. Knead the dough until it’s soft and pliable and add breadcrumbs to the dough and mix well.
3. Press the dough into the cookie cutter (or directly into the cookie sheets), creating hearts, circles, or other shapes.
4. Put them into the oven for about 15 minutes at 350F.
5. Remove the treats from the oven and let them cool down before giving them to your pet.

Heart-Shaped Cranberry Cookies for Dogs

This recipe might seem a bit more complicated than the previous one, but it’s worth it. Heart-shaped cranberry cookies are excellent dog treats, especially if you want to try something new. They are delicious, so your dog will definitely enjoy them, but they are also healthy – they are rich in vitamin C. Here’s what you need:

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour,
• 1 cup rolled oats,
• ½ cup oat bran,
• ¼ cup wheat germ,
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut,
• ½ cup chopped walnuts,
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed,
• ½ cup peanut butter,

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups water,
• ¼ cup vegetable oil,
• 1 egg

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and wet ingredients in another. Then, combine wet and dry ingredients until they are well combined.
3. Pour the mix into the cookie molds or directly onto the cookie sheet, creating heart shapes.
4. Put the cookies in the oven for about 25 minutes.
5. Remove them from the oven and let them cool down before serving.

Apple Carrot Dog Treats

This recipe is perfect for dogs that are picky eaters. It is simple, easy to make, and most importantly, your dog will love it. Apple Carrot dog treats are also very nutritious – the recipe is rich in vitamins and fibers. 

Here’s what you need:

• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour,
• 1 cup rolled oats,
• ¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut,
• 2 eggs,
• ¼ cup applesauce,
• 1 cup powdered milk,
• 1 cup grated carrot

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until they are well combined.
3. Put the mix into a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, creating heart shapes or other shapes.
4. Put them in the oven for about 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let the treats cool down before serving.

Pumpkin Dog Treats

Your dog will love this simple, tasty recipe for pumpkin dog treats. They are healthy and nutritious, and they will also help clean your dog’s teeth. These treats are easy to make and can be used as a training treat or just as a snack. 

Here’s what you need:

• 1 cup self-rising cornmeal,
• 1 cup whole wheat flour,
• 1 cup uncooked oatmeal,
• ¾ cup brown sugar,
• ½ cup peanut butter,
• 2 eggs,
• 2 ½ cups pumpkin puree

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until they are well combined.
3. Pour the mix into the baking sheet lined with parchment paper, creating heart shapes or other shapes.
4. Bake them in the oven for about 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let the treats cool down before serving.

Mint-Based Breath Refreshing Dog Treats

These healthy dog treats are perfect for your pup’s health, but they are also great if you want to freshen your dog’s breath. The recipe is very easy to make, and it does not require much time or effort. 

Here’s what you need:

• 1 cup wheat germ,
• ½ cup whole-grain cornmeal,
• 1 egg,
• ⅛ cup honey,
• ⅛ cup peanut butter,
• ¼ cup fresh mint leaves,
• 2 cups whole wheat flour

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Mix wheat germ, cornmeal, egg, honey, peanut butter, and mint leaves in a large bowl until they are well-combined.
2. Add flour and knead the dough until it’s soft and pliable.
3. Pour the mix into the cookie molds or directly onto the cookie sheet, using a cookie cutter to create any shapes you’d like.
4. Put them into the oven for about 15 minutes at 350F.
5. Remove the treats from the oven and let them cool down before serving.

Dog Doughnuts Recipe

If you want to make your dog as happy as possible but you do not have much time to spare, this recipe is a perfect choice. It is very easy to make, and your dog will definitely appreciate it. Besides, topping the doughnuts with rosemary, which can act as a natural flea repellent, will also help your dog with digestion and memory.

The donuts are also easy to store and transport, so they are an excellent choice for a road trip or a walk in the park with your pooch! 

Here’s what you need:

• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour,
• ½ cup olive oil,
• 1 egg,
• 2 medium sprigs of fresh rosemary,
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons water,
• ¼ cup cream cheese

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, egg, olive oil, and half of the rosemary, and mix well. Then, add in the water and mix well again.
3. Place the batter in a frosting bag and evenly distribute it among each of the donut cavities in your pan.
4. Bake for 13 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
5. Place the cream cheese in a small bowl and microwave for 20 seconds, then stir well. Then, add the two tablespoons of water and stir until combined.
6. Dip the top of your donuts in the cream cheese and sprinkle with the leftover rosemary. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

Frozen Peanut Butter Treats for Dogs

Peanut butter is an excellent source of proteins and vitamins, and it is also very tasty, which is why it’s one of the most popular dog treat ingredients. And this frozen peanut butter treats recipe is effortless and will provide you with a bunch of treats you can store for an extended period of time. 

Here’s what you need:

• 1 cup peanut butter,
• ½ cup powdered milk,
• 1 cup whole wheat flour,
• ½ cup honey

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until they are well combined.
2. Press the dough into the cookie cutter, creating hearts, circles, or other shapes.
3. Put them into the freezer for about 30 minutes.
4. Remove from the freezer any time you want to treat your pet.

Homemade Teeth Cleaning Chews for Dogs

As you know, regular brushing and cleaning are essential for your dog’s teeth. However, if you have a picky eater, getting your dog to agree with this healthy habit might be difficult. In that case, a great alternative might be a teeth cleaning dog treats recipe.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour,
• ¼ cup finely chopped parsley,
• ¼ cup finely chopped carrots,
• ¼ cup wheat germ,
• ¼ cup peanut butter,
• ¼ cup honey,
• 2 eggs,
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat bread crumbs

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until they are well combined.
3. Pour the mix into the baking sheet lined with parchment paper, creating heart shapes or other shapes.
4. Put them in the oven for about 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let the treats cool down before serving.

Conclusion

Now that you have all these recipes, you can easily make nutritious dog treats at home, choosing the right recipe depending on your (and your four-legged companion’s) preferences. For example, if you want something easy to prepare, go for the donuts recipe. If you’re going to impress your dog with something more sophisticated, go for the heart-shaped cranberry cookies or pumpkin treats recipes. 

However, no matter which recipe you choose, you will make your dog the happiest pet on Earth.