Why make your own dog treats?
Sure, it’s convenient to order dog treats online or toss them into your cart at the grocery store, but it’s a whole lot less expensive when you make them yourself. Plus, when you’re doing the cooking, you know exactly what’s going into them. Still, even healthy homemade dog treats shouldn’t be given willy-nilly. Treats shouldn’t exceed 10 percent of an animal’s daily caloric intake. “No more than two to three treats per day, depending on the size of the treat and the size of your pet,” advises veterinarian Carol Osborne, DVM. And remember: “Homemade” doesn’t guarantee that the treat is good for your pup, especially if your pet has a preexisting medical condition or other dietary restrictions. Make sure to check with your vet before making any of the treats below.
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Good for You Gobblers
Courtesy of Banfield Pet Hospital
Ingredients: 1 cup white flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup chopped unsalted sunflower seeds, 2 tablespoons applesauce, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1/4 cup molasses, 2 eggs (beaten), 1/4 cup milk
Directions: Mix the dry ingredients (flour and seeds) together. Add the applesauce, peanut butter, and molasses, and stir well. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and milk together. Add to the dough. Add a little more milk if the mixture is too dry—you want a firm dough. Knead for a few minutes. Roll out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until biscuits are brown and firm.
From homemade dog treat recipes to doggy shampoo, here are some other clever pet products you can make at home.
Banana Bites
Courtesy of Banfield Pet Hospital
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup non-fat dry milk, 1 large egg, 1/3 cup mashed ripe banana, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 beef bouillon cube (dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water), 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Directions: Mix all ingredients until well blended. Knead for two minutes on a floured surface. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes, and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
In general, this is the very best diet for dogs, according to vets.
Pumpkin Pup Puffs
Courtesy of Banfield Pet Hospital
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 1/2 cups oats, 1/4 cup applesauce (make sure you’re using applesauce without xylitol in your recipe)
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Drop tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet, and press flat with a fork. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, and then cool on a wire rack before serving. To maximize freshness, be sure to store the puffs in an airtight container.
Why should you avoid xylitol in your homemade dog treats—and everything else? This common sweetener is toxic to dogs. Here’s how to know if your pet has food poisoning.
Oatsy Biscuits
Eva Blanco/Getty ImagesCourtesy of Colleen Smith, DVM, Chief Scientific Officer for Pet Releaf
Ingredients: 1- to 5-ounce can of tuna, chicken, or salmon in water, 1 egg, 1 cup tapioca flour. For anxiety: Add 1 capsule of either valerian root 500 mg, lemon balm 300 mg, chamomile 350 mg, or 1 dropper Liposomal CBD by Pet Releaf. To help with anxiety, try these calming treats for dogs.
Directions: Use a blender to mix the protein, egg, and tapioca until it resembles pancake batter. Add pumpkin or broth if it’s too thick or thin. Once it’s blended, stir in your preferred supplement with a spoon. Pour the mixture over/into a silicone baking dot pan, and smooth out the excess over the dots. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool. Pop the little treats out and place them in a storage bag. You can store excess treats in the freezer. There are no preservatives in these treats, so they will only last five to six days unrefrigerated. This recipe can be doubled or tripled, depending on need.
These treats can be made without the herbs or made with the herbs to help soothe anxiety. Ask your veterinarian if herbal supplements are safe for your dog. In addition to these homemade dog treats, here are some other ways to calm an anxious dog without medication.
