Making your own dog treats is a fun way to know exactly what you're feeding your dog. With a few simple ingredients, you can quickly make crispy cookies or soft training snacks at home. Below you'll find 3 easy recipes, plus practical tips to get started safely and simply.
Please note: homemade snacks are treats and not complete meals. Give small portions, be careful with ingredients that are unsuitable for dogs, and consider your dog's size, age, and sensitivities.
What ingredients are suitable for homemade dog treats?
The best dog treat recipes are simple. Choose a clear base, add something for texture, and keep the rest minimal. This keeps the recipe straightforward and helps you better understand how your dog reacts to it. Want to intelligently evaluate labels and choose ingredients better? Dog treat ingredients: how to read the label.
- Good base: chicken, beef, fish, egg, oatmeal, rice flour, or potato
- Useful additions: carrot, pumpkin puree, apple without core, or a small amount of peanut butter without unnecessary additives
- For binding: egg, a little water, or fine puree
It's best to avoid ingredients that can be harmful or unsuitable for dogs, such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, onion, garlic in larger quantities, xylitol, and heavily seasoned table scraps. Also, be careful with a lot of salt, sugar, and fatty sauces.
3 easy recipes for dog treats
1. Simple dog cookies with oatmeal and peanut butter
This is an easy basic recipe if you want to make your own dog cookies. The cookies become firm and are handy as small rewards.
- 100 g fine oatmeal
- 100 g rice flour
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter without unnecessary additives
- 1 egg
- 60-80 ml water
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and gradually add water until you have a firm dough. Roll out the dough to about half a centimeter thick and cut out small shapes or cut into cubes. Bake the cookies for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on their size, and then let them cool completely.
2. Soft training snacks with chicken and carrot
Do you want small rewards for training? Then soft snacks are often more practical than hard cookies.
- 150 g cooked chicken, finely chopped or ground
- 1 egg
- 50 g fine oatmeal
- 50 g finely grated carrot
- 1-2 tablespoons water
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Mix everything into a firm mass and press it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper into a thin layer. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool and then cut into small training cubes. For extra firm snacks, you can let them dry for another 10 minutes in the turned-off oven.
More safe variations and practical tips can be found in: Making your own training treats: safe recipes.
3. Fish dog treats with egg and oatmeal
This recipe is handy if you want to try a different flavor than meat or peanut butter.
- 1 can fish in water, e.g., salmon
- 1 egg
- 100 g fine oatmeal
- 40 g rice flour
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Drain the fish well and mash finely. Mix with the egg, oatmeal, and rice flour to form a cohesive dough. Make small balls or flat cookies and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Let them dry thoroughly and cool completely before storing them.
How to make healthy dog treats without a fuss
Making healthy dog treats doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple choices often make all the difference:
- Work with short ingredient lists so you know exactly what's in them
- Make small portions so your snacks stay fresh
- Choose the size for your dog - small dog, small treat
- Bake or dry thoroughly if you want crispy cookies that last a little longer
- Test new recipes carefully if your dog has a sensitive stomach
Do you want to know what to look for in pure, safe ingredients? Natural dog treats: what to look for?
If your dog has known food sensitivities, keep the recipe extra simple and only use ingredients your dog already tolerates well. In that case, hypoallergenic dog treats or grain-free dog treats can also be a suitable addition.
Storage tips for homemade dog treats
Homemade snacks usually contain fewer preservatives than ready-made rewards. Therefore, proper storage is important.
- Crispy cookies: 5 to 7 days in a tightly sealed container, provided they are baked dry enough
- Soft snacks: 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator
- Freezing: excellent for larger portions, preferably in small bags or containers
If the snacks smell different, feel sticky, or you see moisture in the storage container, throw them away.
More storage tips for soft rewards can be found in: Keeping training treats fresh and soft.
When do you prefer ready-made dog snacks?
Baking yourself is fun, but not always the most convenient. For training on the go, a quick reward, or a chewing moment, many owners also choose ready-made dog snacks. It's nice to be able to rely on snacks with a clear composition and a natural base. This way, you can alternate between homemade treats and Healthy dog treats that suit your routine and your dog.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make my own dog treats?
By using a simple base of, for example, oatmeal, rice flour, egg, and a flavor enhancer like chicken, fish, or peanut butter. You mix everything into a dough, form small cookies or cubes, and bake them in the oven until they are cooked and dry enough.
How do I make healthy dog treats myself?
Keep the recipe short and simple. Use recognizable ingredients, avoid sugar, a lot of salt, and unsuitable products for dogs, and give the snacks as treats in small quantities.
What are healthy cookies for my dog?
These are primarily cookies with a clear and simple composition, suitable for your dog. Think of small cookies based on oatmeal, egg, chicken, fish, or carrot, without unnecessary additives.
Can I make dog treats without wheat flour?
Yes, you can. Rice flour or fine oatmeal are common alternatives in homemade dog cookies. Pay attention to the texture of the dough and add a little extra water if necessary.
