Offering treats is a great way to train your dog and reward them whenever they are in their good behavior.

In fact, every dog owner would love to spoil their furry friend with delicious treats whenever possible.

While you can easily find premade treats in pet supply stores, groceries, and online retailers, preparing treats at home can be a more hygienic option.

Why make dog treats at home?

With reports of dangerous additives and antibiotics found in commercial dog treats, preparing your dog treats will be a healthy way to reward your dog.

Many pet owners in the past have complained that their dogs were suffering from illness and physical ailments, including kidney failure, after consuming a few commercial treats.

The veterinary treatments for kidney problems in dogs increased by 141 percent in 2007. Many pet treats were banned altogether.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) receives thousands of complaints about commercial pet food and treats every year.

They continue to warn dog owners about pet treats with ingredients imported from China.

Therefore, preparing a treat at home will ensure the prolonged health of your dog.

Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

There are countless healthy ingredients at home that you can mix or mash to prepare hygienic dog treats.

However, keep in mind your pet food allergies while choosing the ingredients.

Here are a couple of dog treat recipes for you.

Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Treat

It is a simple and delicious recipe that requires five ingredients, which your dog will love to nibble on.

Ingredients

• A cup of pumpkin puree
• Two eggs
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter (Use natural ingredient without Xylitol or sugar substitute)
• 2 cups of whole wheat or all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon 

Instructions

• Start with preheating the oven to 350°F, and in the meantime, prepare a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• Take a large bowl and add pumpkin puree, eggs, and peanut butter.
• Stir until all the ingredients are combined.
• Start rolling the dough on a flat surface to one-quarter inch. (Dust flour over the dough to prevent sticking)
• Now take a knife or cookie cutter to cut out as many shapes as possible, and place them on a baking sheet.
• Prepare as many shapes as you want, and then start baking each batch for 20 to 40 minutes.
• Remove the treat from the oven and let them cool.
• Store them in an airtight container or plastic bag inside the refrigerator.

Banana Peanut Butter Cookies

It is a delicious and healthy choice for a dog treat.

Ingredients

• Two ripe bananas
• 1 ½ cup of quick oats
• 1/3 cup of peanut butter

Instructions

• Start with preheating the oven to 350°F, and in the meantime, prepare a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
• Take a large bowl and mash bananas into it.
• Add peanut butter and oats and mix them well until smooth.
• Drop the mix into the cookie sheet.
• Bake for about 12-15 minutes.
• Remove the cookies and let them cool. Use an airtight container or plastic bag to store them in the refrigerator.

Carrot Apple Dog Treat

It is another healthy choice for a dog treat. Carrot and Apple contain rich nutrients that are beneficial for a dog’s health.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup of all-purpose flour (If possible, use gluten-free flour)
• ½ cup of shredded carrots
• ½ cup of shredded red apple
• 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
• Cookie-cutter

Instructions

• Start with preheating your oven to 400°F.
• Take a large bowl and combine flour, carrots, apple, and chicken broth.
• Sprinkle the flat surface with some flour and roll out the mixture flat about ½ inches using a rolling pin.
• Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. You can cut as many as you want.
• Bake them for 8-10 minutes, until they are lightly browned.
• Remove them and let them cool. Use an airtight container or plastic bag to store them in the refrigerator.

Homemade Dog Ice-cream

Here are three ingredients for frozen dog treats that work great as summer relish.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of peanut butter
• 1 cup of plain yogurt
• 2 tsp. of vegetable or chicken broth

Instructions

• Take a large bowl and mix all the ingredients. Stir them well.
• Distribute the mixture into a large ice cube tray or mold.
• Freeze the mixture for 12-hours before using. Otherwise, leave them in the freezer.

Peanut Butter and Bacon Glazed Bones

Make this delicious multi-ingredient treat for your dog using minimal ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of pumpkin
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter
• Two eggs
• 1/4 cup of oil
• 2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp of baking soda

Glaze

• 2 tsp of bacon grease, coconut oil, or chicken fat.
• 1/4 cup of smooth peanut butter

Instructions

• Start with preheating the over to 350°F.
• Take a large bowl and mix pumpkin, peanut butter, eggs, and oil in it.
• Add in baking soda and whole-wheat flour and give it a nice stir to make a dough.
• Roll out dough using a rolling pin and use a cookie cutter to cut out the shapes.
• Bake the cookies for at least 15 minutes.
• Take them out and pour bacon grease and peanut butter over them.
• You can let them cool down or leave them in the fridge.

Spinach, Carrot, and Zucchini Treats

Make a healthy mixture of spinach, carrot, and zucchini to make delicious yet healthy dog treats.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup of peanut butter
• Two large eggs
• 1/2 cup of oats
• 3 cups of whole-wheat flour
• cup of shredded carrot
• 1 cup of shredded zucchini
• 1 cup of chopped baby spinach

Instructions

• Start with preheating the oven to 350°F, and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Beat pumpkin, peanut butter, and eggs in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment to make it well combined.
• Add oats and 2 1/2 cup of flour at low speed and continue beating. Add 1/4 cup of flour just when the dough is no longer sticky.
• Next, add the veggies and beat the mixture until smooth.
• Roll the dough using a rolling pin to 1/4" thickness and cut the shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Bake the cuttings for about 20-25 minutes.
• Let them cool, and Voila! Your delicious treat is ready.

Things to Avoid

When preparing healthy dog treats, consider avoiding people's food that may prove to be toxic to the dog.

• Alcohol
• Apple seeds
• Apricot pits
• Avocados
• Bread dough (yeast)
• Caffeine
• Cherry Pits
• Chocolate
• Cooked bones

Conclusion

Making dog treats from scratch is far easy and quick than you have imagined. They are also healthy options for commercial dog treats that contain harmful additives.

Use the above-given recipes to prepare delicious dog treats at home, any time of the year.

Get in touch with Urban Pet Hospital & Resort, the best pet hospital in Urbandale.