Pet parents across the internet—and in person—love to share their favorite homemade dog treat recipes. Cooking for our pups is more common than ever! If you're excited about the idea of putting on your chef's hat to craft something special for your furry friend, we've got you covered.
Here's everything to know about homemade dog treats, including:
After all, our canine companions are full members of the family. Why not cook for them now and then?
Canines—including our domestic dogs—are scavengers and predators. This means they're not suited to eating the exact same meal day after day!
Homemade dog treats can be a budget-friendly, healthy way to satisfy your dog's instinct to try something new.
Variety is the spice of life!
Your dog can get especially sick of the same old, same old when it comes to training sessions. If you're working on building any new skills with your pup, it's a smart idea to switch your rewards from time to time to keep your four-legged student on their toes. Adding new treat options can boost motivation!
You can read more about rewards and reinforcement in our dog training 101 article.
Some dog parents prefer making their own healthy treats at home because:
You can feel confident about what your pup is eating and how every treat was prepared! When you prepare treats yourself, you have complete control over the quality and source of ingredients. This makes it easier to ensure your dog receives wholesome, nutritious treats.
You can tailor homemade dog treats to your dog's specific dietary needs or restrictions if they have any allergies or other sensitivities.
Homemade treats often lack the artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers commonly found in commercial dog treats, promoting better overall health for your pet.
Making your own treats can be more cost-effective than store-bought treats in the long run, especially if you buy ingredients in bulk or use leftovers from your own meals.
While we're big fans of homemade dog treats, you should still consider some possible drawbacks before racing to your kitchen.
Just like humans, dogs can have allergies and sensitivities to certain foods. Some pups need especially gradual transitions for any diet change. We might be super excited to share our new recipe finds with our four-legged friends—but sometimes it is best to stick to the status quo.
One way around this? Introduce brand-new foods one by one so you can isolate any problems they cause!
Homemade treats can contribute to your dog's overall caloric intake, which might lead to weight gain. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that more than half of North American dogs are overweight, leading to a range of problems like increased joint pain. When you buy treats at the store, you usually know exactly how many calories are in each bite.
Improper handling or storage of ingredients can lead to contamination, which may cause foodborne illnesses in your pup or you. Always follow proper food safety guidelines.
While it's often cheaper in the long run from a financial standpoint, you should consider the value of your time as well. Some pet parents are too busy—or simply don't enjoy—making treats themselves. That's okay! You don't have to cook to still be a fabulous dog parent.
Here are some go-to ingredients you'll find in many homemade dog treat recipes.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list! If your dog has a favorite snack not listed here—and you've checked that it's safe for them to eat—feel free to include it in your homemade dog treat recipes. Mix and match to find what your own companion loves best.
Just be sure to slowly introduce new treats and monitor your dog for any adverse reactions.
Do not use the following dangerous ingredients in your homemade dog treats:
Always check with your veterinarian if you're unsure about the safety of a particular ingredient for your dog. This is extra important if they have any specific dietary restrictions or health conditions!
Most homemade dog treats are baked. Some pet parents love to dehydrate leftover meats, too—or even freeze soft foods into bite-sized chunks.
Here are some common varieties of homemade treats!
These treats are small and usually low in calories, making them perfect for training sessions.
Dehydrated meat broken into tiny pieces works especially well. So do soft biscuits baked then chopped.
From full-scale frozen Kong and Toppl creations to small bites of pumpkin simply frozen in an ice cube tray, these homemade dog treats are sure to keep your pup cool on warm days. (Frozen options usually aren't the best solution for fast-paced training sessions, though, since they'll melt in your hands or treat pouch.)
Some dog parents bake special pet-safe birthday cakes or holiday treats. These tend to be larger snacks given only once in a while—as opposed to the way training treats might be a regular part of your pup's daily diet.
The options are endless! Here are a few favorite homemade dog treat recipes to start with.
Dehydrating meat at home to make dog treats is a straightforward process. Here's a basic guide!
These get a little messy at room temperature, so they aren't ideal for training sessions away from home. They can be a great addition to meals or enrichment toys, though!
Plus they take barely five minutes to put together. Talk about a good way to spend a commercial break.
You're limited only by your imagination (and your dog's dietary restrictions). Homemade dog treats can be great for:
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