Making dog treats at home can be both fun and beneficial for ensuring your dog gets wholesome ingredients. Here are a couple of simple recipes you can try:
Basic Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or oats if your dog is sensitive to wheat)
- 1 cup rolled oats (if not using oats in place of flour)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted peanut butter (make sure it does NOT contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs)
- 1 cup milk or water (milk adds a bit more flavor but water works fine)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix flour, oats (if using), and baking powder in a large bowl.
- Blend peanut butter and milk/water together in another bowl until smooth.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients until you form a dough. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour; if too dry, add a bit more milk or water.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut into shapes using cookie cutters or simply slice into squares with a knife.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cool completely before giving to your dog. Store in an airtight container or in the fridge for longer shelf life.
Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Chews
Ingredients:
- 1 can of pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 sweet potato
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups whole wheat flour or oat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, but beneficial for dogs)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the sweet potato until soft (you can bake it or microwave it for simplicity), then mash it.
- Mix the pumpkin puree, mashed sweet potato, and eggs in a bowl.
- Add flour gradually, and cinnamon if using, until the dough is no longer sticky and is workable.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, then cut into desired shapes.
- Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for about 30-35 minutes until treats are hard.
- Let them cool completely. These treats can be quite chewy, which is great for dental health.
Tips:
- Storage: Keep treats in an airtight container. They can last for a week or two at room temperature, longer if refrigerated, or you can freeze them for several months.
- Allergies: If your dog has allergies, consider alternatives like rice flour or coconut flour.
- Hardness: For crunchier treats, leave them in the oven turned off with the door slightly open after baking, to dry out more.
Remember, treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, so use them as a supplement to their regular diet, not a replacement. Always introduce new treats gradually to watch for any adverse reactions
