No matter the occasion, homemade dog treats are a wonderful present for your dog, a gift for the furry members of the family, or a fun activity to make with the family. Homemade dog treats can be made with any ingredients that are safe for dogs, and help you control what your dog is eating. The treats are also great for dogs with food allergies or special medical needs. Here are five amazing recipes to get you started!
While making your own treats may seem daunting, most treats are very fast and easy to make. They are a great alternative to store bought treats as you can control the ingredients that go into them, and add supplements to boost your dog’s health.
Control Ingredients: Many commercial dog treats contain additives, preservatives, and fillers that may not be very healthy. If your dog has food allergies or special medical needs, commercial treats may not be appropriate or even harmful for your dog. By selecting homemade recipes that feature ingredients your dog enjoys and can eat, you can control what your dog eats, preventing itchy allergy outbreaks or worsening of illness symptoms.
Add Supplements: In addition to controlling potentially harmful ingredients, you can add in supplements, vitamins, and minerals as you see fit. Some recipes contain fish oils for an added coat boost, while others have natural ingredients that can provide proteins for muscle, carbohydrates for an energy boost, and other great nutrients.
This recipe is the ultimate “basic cookie”. Crunchy, delicious and filled with great ingredients, it’s a perfect alternative to commercial treats.
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Pumpkin is a great additive to boost digestive health. If your dog is feeling a little stopped up, or you just want some extra fiber in your dog’s routine, this treat is perfect.
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Since dogs can’t have chocolate, carob is a great sweet alternative. These treats offer a great crunch with a sweet flavor that can’t be beaten. Perfect for holidays or special occasions.
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Another great go-to basic biscuit, these treats are sure to satisfy. They do pack a bit more flavor than your regular biscuit, which your dog may just love! These make a lot of treats and are filled with wholesome, energy-giving grains.
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A great snack for a warm day or just a fun activity to chew on. These yogurt treats add a little flavor and a lot of fun for your dog! Perfect for placing into Kongs or other treat dispensing toys.
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The final recipe is a super easy single-ingredient jerky. This jerky is the perfect training treat, and great for dogs with severe GI upset or ingredient sensitivities. You can even taste this jerky yourself if you’d like!
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No matter what your dog desires, these treats are sure to hit the spot. Whether starting simple with basic jerky or going gourmet with fancy biscuits, your dog is sure to love all of these recipes. Mix and match ingredients to suit your dog’s tastes and needs, and be sure to check out the source links for more recipes. You can even add your favorite fish oil supplement to any recipe for an added nutrient boost! “Bone” Appetit!
All photos provided by Creative Commons/Pixabay for commercial use.
[1] Colley, Angela. "10 Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes and Organic Treats." Money Crashers. Web. 01 Dec. 2016. http://www.moneycrashers.com/homemade-dog-food-treat-recipes/
[2] Juanita. "Gourmet Dog Biscuits." Allrecipes. Web. 01 Dec. 2016. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/11470/gourmet-dog-biscuits
[3] "This Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe is a Health Boost for Your Dog: Pumpkin Wafers Dog Treat Recipe." All-Natural-Dog-Treat. Web. 01 Dec. 2016. http://www.all-natural-dog-treat.com/dogtreatrecipe.html
[4] "Wheat and Gluten-Free Carob Crunchers." Doggy Dessert Chef 01 Nov 2010. Web. 01 Dec. 2016. http://doggydessertchef.com/2010/11/01/carob-crunchers/