5 easy recipes for healthy homemade dog treats

All dogs love treats, but not all treats are the same. Many commercial doggy treats are filled with ingredients that are either unpronounceable or questionable. And while there are healthy commercial treats available, even the best on the market undergo a manufacturing process that reduces their nutritional punch and increases the potential for contamination. The solution? Put on your chef’s hat and make your own healthy, organic homemade dog treat recipes. But before you put on your apron, be aware that the following treat-friendly ingredients are toxic to dogs: This isn't a complete list, so do your research beforehand. Here, we discuss how to make homemade healthy dog treats that pass the canine taste test and are easy to make with healthy ingredients. Easy, healthy homemade dog treat recipes Peanut butter and banana biscuits Filled with good-for-you ingredients, these dog-approved biscuits provide enough protein and carbohydrates to power your pup through his or her next trip to the dog park. Xylitol-free peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and good fats, while the egg adds more protein and healthy fat along with a powerhouse punch of iron, folate, Riboflavin, Selenium, and Vitamins A and B12, and the banana provides potassium, fibre and biotin. Ingredients By the way, it's perfectly fine in many dog-treat recipes to substitute gluten-free flour like oat flour, rice flour, or coconut flour. Preparation Pumpkin and peanut butter bites These are easy to make and require no baking. Pumpkin is a dog’s superfood, with tons of fibre, vitamins A, C, K, and E, and minerals including iron, copper, magnesium and potassium. According to the AKC, plain, canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling) contains a higher amount of nutrients and fibre than fresh pumpkin. Pumpkin is also good for your dog’s digestion. Ingredients Preparation Sweet potato dog biscuits With only four ingredients, this recipe is an easy recipe for homemade healthy dog treats. The sweet potato is a fat-free superfood of fibre, potassium, vitamins A, C, and B6, and the minerals iron, calcium, and magnesium. Sweet potato also helps regulate digestion. This recipe uses a cookie cutter, so you can choose the best size for your dog (little dogs might get small hearts while bone-shaped biscuits are perfect for gentle giants). Ingredients Preparation Strawberry and banana popsicles Frozen treats are perfect for hot summer days or relaxing in the afternoons in warm climates. You can use a popsicle mould or just plain ice cube trays, but skip the stick, which is a potential choking hazard. If you’re making popsicle-shaped treats for larger dogs, use a dog biscuit instead of a stick; for small breeds, get some paw print or bone-shaped silicone moulds. Always supervise your dog when they're snacking on these frozen treats. Pick a recipe based on what your dog craves. This one is for dogs that favour sweet, fruity treats. You can swap out fruit but only use fruit that is dog-friendly (no cherries, for example). Both strawberries and bananas are healthy choices. Ingredients Preparation Beef liver treats for diabetic dogs Even if your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, they can still enjoy special treats. In this case, though, be careful you don’t overdo it. Dogs with diabetes often experience increased thirst, a ravenous appetite while losing weight, and lethargy. By giving your dog daily insulin injections under the skin (which sounds scarier than it is once you get used to it), their body will be able to convert insulin to energy, so they can live a fairly normal life. Besides insulin treatment, managing your dog’s diet and providing sufficient exercise play an important role in your dog’s well-being. Liver is an excellent source of lower-fat protein and nutrients including vitamins A and D, folic acid, iron, and other minerals. (Just FYI, beef liver is lower in fat than chicken liver.) Whole wheat flour has a low Glycemic Index of 51 (stick to foods that have a GI of 0-55), and stone-ground flour is less processed. These treats are healthy for the diabetic dog, and your dog will love them (and you). Ingredients Preparation These treats can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. You can freeze any treats that won’t be eaten within a week in a ziplock bag. How dog insurance helps Always choose safe, high-quality ingredients, keep on top of pet obesity and remember that dog insurance can help you prepare for the unexpected. Our dog insurance may help with up to £20,000 vet fee cover, access to 24/7 video vet call support as standard and a host of ManyPets Perks.

5 easy recipes for healthy homemade dog treats

Content

Pet microbiomes and gut health, explained

Can dogs eat cat treats?

Are rawhide treats bad for dogs?

Jillian Blume

The cost of saying goodbye to cats and dogs

A guide to dog and cat vaccinations costs in the UK

Best (and worst) dog breeds for seniors

Best dog breeds for apartments and flats

Dog sitting: rates, services, and benefits

Our plans

Resources

Company

Follow us

Country