We love our pups and want to only give them the best. Many treats on the shelves are full of byproducts and junk, so what better way to tell your dog you love them than with homemade dog treats! Dogs love food and giving them tasty treats is a form of love.
Not only are homemade dogs treats more affordable, but they are also actually quite easy to make, especially with these unique recipes.
2 Ingredient Homemade Dog Treats
Homemade dog treats don’t need to be complicated. In fact, it only takes just TWO ingredients to make healthy and delicious treats for your furry friend.
We came across this super easy recipe called Diane’s 2 Ingredient Dog Biscuits.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes (worth every minute for your beloved pup)
All you need is TWO 4 oz. jars of pureed meat and vegetable baby food (you can actually mix up the flavor by using other flavors such as carrots, spinach, peas, or even peanut butter) and TWO cups of whole wheat or rolled oats. Mix all of this in a large bowl to form the dough. Roll out the dough (like you would with sugar cookies) and cut out ¼-inch thick pieces in whatever shapes you desire.
Next, just preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the treats on parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Then, let the biscuits cool completely.
This recipe will make about 15 medium-sized dog biscuits.
Looking for a treat to help cool your pup off this summer? We found this easy recipe for FROZEN dog treats that only need two ingredients!
Total time: 10 minutes
You just need 1 ripe banana, ½ cup of unsalted/unsweetened peanut butter, and ½ cup of water (we don’t really count this as a 3rd ingredient)
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Then, pour into ice cube tray molds and freeze until firm. Usually only about 2 hours.
This recipe makes about 12 treats.
Homemade Sweet Potato and Oatmeal Dog Treats
Did you know that dogs love sweet potatoes and they are actually really good for your pup? It is the main ingredient in many healthy dog foods. So, why not make some of your own homemade sweet potato dog treats?
This recipe from the Food Network is for serious dog treat makers, but if you are up for the challenge, your pooch will love them!
Total time: 3 hours and 15 minutes (don’t worry! This includes baking and cooling time!)
You will need quite a few ingredients for this recipe such as:
– 2 medium-sized potatoes
– 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder
– 2 cups of gluten-free oat flour
– 1 cup of rolled oats
– 2 teaspoons of baking soda
Start by poking the sweet potatoes with a fork and wrapping them in foil. Bake them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about one hour and let them cool. Then, scoop the insides of the potatoes out and smash them in a bowl to make 1 ¾ cup of sweet potatoes puree.
Stir the chick bouillon with 1 cup of hot water and then add the potatoes. You will need to whisk until smooth and then stir in the oat flour, rolled oats and baking soda and make a dough. Wrap up in a plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Once the dough is ready, set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thick and cut 3-inch pieces. Place these on parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let them cool and then spoil your pup!
This recipe will make around 40 treats.
Homemade Beef Jerky Dog Treats
Every dog loves jerky, but some store-bought jerky is full of processed ingredients. We found an easy recipe where you can now make your dog their very own jerky treats at home!
Our favorite jerky recipe comes from Rover.com, who obviously knows a thing or two about dogs.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook time: 6 hours
Total time: 6 hours and 20 minutes
You can choose which meat you want to use from either a lean cut of beef, a chicken breast, salmon, or any white fish.
We recommend using a dehydrator, but you can also set your oven to the lowest setting to get the job done.
Prep your meat by removing all visible fat and slice into whatever shape your heart desires. Keep in mind that thinner cut pieces will dehydrate faster.
If you are using a dehydrator, set to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using your oven, set to 160 degrees Fahrenheit as well or to the lowest setting available.
When you’re ready to dehydrate, preheat your dehydrator to 160 degrees F, or your oven to 160 degrees F or your lowest setting. Cook the meat for about 4 hours if using your dehydrator and 3 hours if using your oven.
This recipe will make 3 trays of healthy jerky!
How to Make Homemade Dog Treat Icing
Want to get really fancy? We found the perfect recipe to make dog treat icing to spice up those homemade dog treats!
Total time: 10 minutes
You only need 3 ingredients: (food coloring is optional)
– ¼ cup of cornstarch
– ¼ cup of water
– 2 teaspoons of honey
Start with the cornstarch and place in a small or medium bowl and add a teaspoon or two of water at a time until you reach about ½ of the ¼ cup of water needed and stir in the honey. (We know, this can sound a little confusing, but bear with us)
Then, add the remaining water to get the consistency you want. Now is the time to apply to cooled dog treats! Either with a knife or you can get super lavish and use an icing applicator.
Of course, keep in the fridge for best results.
How to Care For Your Dog with Tasty Treats!
One of the greatest benefits of making homemade dog treats is you know exactly what you are giving your dog. It is not only healthier but can also be cheaper.
Some pups have tender tummies and need custom treats so this is a great alternative than running around the pet store finding the right treat for your dogs’ sensitive stomach.
Homemade Dog Treat Recipes for Sensitive Stomachs
Looking for a recipe for sensitive stomachs? Most of these recipes will contain pumpkin as pumpkin is great for dogs and their tummies. We came across this easy pumpkin dog treat recipe that is also grain-free!
You will need just 1 cup of canned pumpkin, 1 cup of coconut flour, 1 egg, and 4 tablespoons of chicken stock.
Just mix all of these ingredients together and make a dough. Spread the dough out about ½ inch thick and use a cookie cutter to cut out the treats. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for about 30 minutes.
This recipe will make about 8 3-inch treats.
How Long Do Homemade Dog Treats Last
After going to all of that work to make homemade dog treats, you want to make sure you properly store them so they last as long as possible. For fresh treats, storage is important. You want to avoid treats from sticking together or getting soggy.
For meatless and dry treats, we recommend storing in airtight containers at room temperature. Most treats will last for 2 to 3 weeks unless noted.
For treats that contain meat, we recommend storing in an airtight container as well, but keep in the fridge. Treats should last 7 to 10 days unless noted.
How to Keep Homemade Dog Treats from Molding
The last thing you want is to give your dog moldy treats. To prevent treats from spoiling, make sure you are properly preserving your treats.
Some tips to remember when making treats:
– Wait until treats are completely cool and the icing is dry before putting in a storage container
– Use wax paper between treats to avoid them from sticking together
– Always use airtight containers when storing at room temperature or in the fridge
– If storing in the freezer, use proper freezer bags or freezer containers
Making homemade dog treats can actually be fun, plus, we are sure your dog will appreciate the nice gesture!
Resources:
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/why-you-should-make-healthy-homemade-dog-treats
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-preserve-homemade-dog-biscuits/
