Our dogs are some of the most cherished members of our families. Their quiet understanding, bursts of energy, and silly personalities make them integral parts of our lives.
Dog treats can be incorporated into training, keep them busy while you’re trying to get something done, or just show you care about them. Treats from the store can be convenient, but sometimes there is an element of ‘what is actually in this?’ when it comes in a bagged, shelf-stable form.
Making treats yourself can be a fun activity for kids, and gives you a dose of confidence, knowing the exact ingredients that went into them.
Here are five homemade treat recipes for your dogs:
Peanut Butter and Sweet Potato Treats
These treats use common ingredients, and the sweet potatoes give your pup an extra dose of fiber!
Ingredients
2 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
2 eggs
¼ cup baked sweet potato
2 tbs peanut butter (double check label to ensure there is NO xylitol)
½ tsp salt
Directions
Start with your ingredients at room temperature
Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and get out a cookie sheet
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, forming a dough. Add water as needed, getting the dough to a kneadable consistency. The dough should be pliable, but not wet. It should hold its form
Roll the dough to a ½ inch thick and cut desired shapes out. Remember, bigger treats will take longer in the oven than smaller treats
Bake your treats for 40 minutes, checking them at 30 minutes and every 5 minutes after that. You want dry and hard treats
Wait for them to cool and serve!
If there are leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to two weeks, of six months in the freezer
Crunchy Dog Treats with Blueberries, Oats and Peanut Butter
Blueberries have antioxidants and vitamin C, giving these treats an extra nutritious kick.
Ingredients
1 cup of fresh, frozen, or dried blueberries
¾ cup oats
2 ½ cup whole wheat flour
2 eggs
3 tbs peanut butter (double check label to ensure there is NO xylitol)
½ tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ - ½ cup warm water
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and get out your cookie sheet
Add your blueberries to the bowl. If they’re frozen, break them up with a spoon or hand mixer You want them to be individual blueberries, not clumps
Add your oats and mix them with the blueberries
Add all remaining ingredients and mix until just combined
Add water as needed, getting the dough to a kneadable consistency. The dough should be pliable, but not wet. It should hold its form
Roll the dough to ½ inch thick and cut to desired shape
Place on cookie sheet and bake for 40 minutes, until they’re dry and crunchy
Let them cool and serve!
Chicken and Rice Dog Treats
For some extra protein, try this recipe with leftover chicken!
Source: Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen
Ingredients
6 oz . Cooked & cooled Boneless Chicken Breast, boiled or grilled; cooled
½ cup cooked & cooled rice
½ cup chicken stock
2 ½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
1 egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and get out your cookie sheet
Combine shredded chicken, rice and chicken stock in a food processor or blender and pulse until a paste forms
Add flour, eggs and salt into a bowl. Add chicken paste into the bowl as well
Mix ingredients together by hand until a shaggy dough forms
Add flour if needed, and roll the dough to ½ inch thick
Cut out desired shapes and pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes until light brown
Let them cool and serve!
Cheddar Bacon Dog Treats
With a savory combo like cheese and bacon, you can’t go wrong!
Ingredients
1½ cups rolled oats
1½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 eggs
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and get out your cookie sheet
Add all ingredients (except eggs) to a food processor and blend until well combined
Add eggs into the mix and continue to combine until a dough-like consistency comes together
Using a little flour, roll dough to ¼ inch thick on a flat surface
Cut the dough into your desired shapes
Bake for 20 minutes
Let them cool and serve!
Store in an airtight container
Frozen Peanut Butter & Coconut Oil Dog Treats
These treats are the easiest of all – they don’t even require you to turn on your oven!
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter (double check label to ensure there is NO xylitol)
1 tsp unprocessed coconut oil
1 tsp cinnamon
Directions
Add all ingredients to a bowl, ensuring the coconut oil is in liquid form. If it’s not, gently melt over the stove or in the microwave in an appropriate dish
Stir until completely smooth
Add to an empty ice cube tray
Freeze solid
Store them in the tray, or transfer them to an air-tight container in the freezer
Our pups are worth every treat and dollar we put into them. With a little elbow grease, you can make some treats to win their affection with ease.
🌟We would love to see what you whip up in the kitchen for your pets, so feel free to post your pictures and tag us @benefab or #benefabproducts 🌟
