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Welcome to Week Two of Friday Favorites! I’ve had so many different thoughts about what I would share today, but all of my ideas got pushed to the side when I realized we were out of my dog, Ozzie’s, favorite treats. Since so many of us are spending more time in the kitchen these days, it seemed like a good opportunity to share some recipes for easy homemade dog treats.
Where Are The Dog Treats?
This morning, as Ozzie and I were heading out for our first walk of the day, we ran into a neighbor who was just returning home from walking her dog. She told me they had spotted a peacock wandering the streets! It’s not every day in suburban California that you see a peacock, so off we trotted in the direction she pointed.
Well, unfortunately, even though we saw plenty of interesting things on our walk, the peacock was nowhere to be found. I felt vaguely disappointed, but Ozzie honestly didn’t seem to care much. Just one more big bird (we regularly see geese, herons, gulls, crows) that flies too high for him to catch.
Save up to 30% on Your First Subscription in PetsWhat was Ozzie disappointed about? No treats for his post-walk snack! The canister was empty! Major tragedy! Dog priorities, you know.
“If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.”
Phil Pastoret
Fortunately, I had ingredients on hand to whip up some new snacks pronto, and my dog loves me again.
I rotate between different recipes, but they all have a few things in common: they are quick and easy; they use very few ingredients; they are healthy, even for my pup with a sensitive stomach; and he LOVES them all.
Homemade Dog Treats
DISCLAIMER: Because every dog is unique, please consult your vet before introducing any new foods into his/her diet.
Sweet Potato Dog Chews
The treats I make most often for Ozzie are these Sweet Potato Dog Chews. They take awhile in the oven since they are essentially dehydrated sweet potatoes, but the only real work involved is slicing them and spreading them on a baking sheet.
They are thin, crispy, crunchy, and apparently quite delicious. The only ingredient is sweet potato! I make these at least once every two weeks, or however quickly they disappear.
Spinach, Carrot and Zucchini Dog Treats
Ozzie’s second favorite treats are these Spinach, Carrot and Zucchini Treats from DamnDelicious.com. They have lots of veggie goodness, plus eggs for protein. I’ve thought about feeding them to my husband as cookies, but I guess the cute little bone shape would give it away.
By the way, aren’t these treats just the cutest when cut into that bone shape? Check out my product recommendations at the bottom of this post to get your bone-shaped cookie cutter!
3-Ingredient Dog Treats
3-Ingredient Banana Oat Treats from Floraandvino.com go together in a flash – in about 1/2 hour, to be precise! We almost always have bananas, rolled oats and peanut butter on hand, so I can make these any time (like this morning!!) The riper the banana, the better, so if you have any that are too mushy for humans, use them here. And again, that adorable bone shape just gets me!
“I see you have cheese. I, too, enjoy cheese.”
Every Dog Everywhere
Easy No-Bake Dog Treats
These are so quick to put together because there’s no baking involved! No-Bake Treats from ShowMeTheYummy.com are filled with all sorts of good, organic ingredients plus bacon! Everybody loves bacon, especially dogs!
These get rolled into a ball, which is also a big time-saver. I recommend you store these in the fridge or freezer, because they are unbaked.
Frozen Dog Treats
Yes, I live in California, but no, it’s not always hot here. Common misconception! I save these Blueberry Banana Frozen Treats from BruceBradley.com for the warmer weather, and give them to Ozzie outside when he needs a little frosty fun. Once again, they are quick to make (do you sense a theme here?). Simply puree 3 ingredients together and freeze them in individual servings.
Chicken and Biscuit Dog Treats
Were you wondering when I would share a dog treat recipe that actually has meat in it? Because of his sensitivities, we try to really watch Ozzie’s protein intake, so his treats don’t often include animal products (except eggs). When we do give him the occasional meaty snack, it’s these 4-Ingredient Chicken and Biscuits Treats from TwoHealthyKitchens.com
Peanut Butter Pupcakes
These take just a bit more effort than the other treats in this list. Are they not adorable? This recipe for Peanut Butter Pupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting comes from PeelWithZeal.com, and they are great for a pup birthday, adoption day, or anytime you just want to create something wonderful for your favorite dog!
Tip: I like to use a mini-muffin pan for these. Even though Ozzie is a big dog, I prefer to give him smaller treats! Think about the best size for your dog.
Product Recommendations
Dog Bone Shaped Cookie Cutter Set
Silicone Treat Molds – Perfect for frozen treats!
Of course, you’ll need a cute storage jar:
And the best dog food on the planet (in Ozzie’s opinion!):
Treat Your DogRelated Posts:
- Feeding Your Dog During COVID-19: Ollie Dog Food Review
- Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Chews
- 19 Easy Ways to Organize Dog Supplies
Final Thoughts on Homemade Dog Treats
I know there are a zillion brands of dog treats on the market. Some of them are very high-quality, but some are not. Most of them get to be very expensive, if you spoil your dog as much as we do!
Making your own dog treats can be fun, easy, and much more cost-effective than buying them from a store. They can be an especially good option in your dog has a sensitive stomach, allergies, or other medical concerns. And although your pup may not help with the preparation, he is sure to show you his appreciation of your efforts with extra wags and slobbery kisses!
Save These Recipes by Pinning to Your Favorite Pinterest Board!
Since I am a new dog mom – I keep looking for ways to treat my little puppy who quickly became my new best friend (surprising me in the process, never thought I was a dog person) these banana peanut butter snacks sounds like a great way to do that – I am going to try theses since I always have ripe bananas at home. Thank you for sharing these Lori.
Enjoy your pooch and let me know how he likes the treats!