How To: Make Your Own DIY Dog Treats!

By: Capreek Mar 16, 2012

created at: 03/15/2012

I'm known around these parts as "the crazy Schnauzer lady", but in truth, I'm crazy about ALL dogs... and think they deserve some tasty, homemade treats every now and then!  This simple, two-ingredient recipe can be customized like nobody's business, so get creative and have a little fun (while pampering your pooch)!   

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created at: 03/15/2012

I originally made these treats for Wrigley's first birthday (yes, I celebrated it. Re: crazy dog lady; see above), and have made a ton of variations since.  The basic recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups 100% organic whole wheat flour (or wheat germ, or spelt, or rolled oats, or a mixture of these, etc.)
  • 2 (4oz) jars of pureed baby food - beef, blueberry, sweet potato, chicken - whatever. Just make sure there are no onions/onion powder in it*.  Avoid any with artificial preservatives (should be easy, most are just pureed veggies and water).

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Mix together to form a stiff dough. If necessary, add extra flour or water as needed.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to about a 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shape or a pizza cutter to make cubes.

4. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, place treats about 1/2 inch apart. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.  Allow to cool completely before storing in a paper bag (storing in an air-tight container will make them soft, but they're still edible).

Easy, right?  Now this is where you can get creative!  Consider including grated carrots or sweet potatoes, a little bit of parsley (which supposedly helps with bad breath), blueberries, or some of that homemade peanut butter!

created at: 03/15/2012

How will you customize these treats for your pooch?  Do you have any other homemade dog treat recipes?  Share them in the comments!

*Onions are toxic to dogs!  If you're unsure about what you can/cannot include, check out this list of possibly toxic foods from the ASPCA.  Not everything on there is toxic, but each one links to an explanation of why you may want to avoid it.

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My dogs love the dog treats they liked I added grated carrots and they went all nuts! I'm traing my puppy and I wanted to make dog treats instead of buying them from a store they are more healthier than the store bought one ill tell you that! Also you can eat them to they taste like bread that's all so thanks for the recipe ill use it a lot and my dogs are happy too!!! :)
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Best Way to store these? Can they be froze? How long do they stay good?

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When substituting with rice flour or brown rice flour is there a difference in the amount used? Thank you

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These look nice and easy! I make a similar treat for my rescue terrier X who had chronic ear problems until he went off all wheat and soy. Cooked mashed sweet potato + lots of puréed comfrey, and enough rolled rice or quinoa flakes to thicken. The rice/quinoa flakes absorb moisture on standing, so let the mixture sit for a while in the fridge to give them time. Ground rice/quinoa wouldn't need the standing time, but rolled is what I usually have in the cupboard. I put these in the dehydrator instead of baking. The comfrey makes them an unattractive olive green colour, but he likes them anyway and I hope it is helping his mildly luxuriant patella.
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@Anni- garlic and onion are toxic no matter what. It can cause anemia. Its best to avoid it.
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All I can say is thank you! thank you! thank you!  Our two pit bulls absolutely love these!!!  After having one, all they would do was sit at my feet and drool wanting more...lol.  Fantastic recipe, easy and apparently great tasting!!  Thank you again!

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I just made these for my dog and she loves them! I used the apples, pears, and apricots and it made ky house smell lovely! I have never baked anything before other than like the premade cookie dough so.I didn't realize how messy it was but I had fun making them and she loves them.
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was wondering if this would work with baby cereal for a substitute of flour or rolled oats? I have a bunch left over from my baby.hmm , ill have to try it out:)
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In response to nepenthes:  I use rice flour for my wheat/corn allergic Schnauzer and it works fine.  She LOVES these treats.

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My Cairn terrier, Katie went bonkers over these.  She was there from the start to finish, and wouldn't leave the kitchen once these were done. I baked a sweet potato and mixed it with water to the consistancy of baby food, and followed the recipe.  These came out great!  Thank you so much for posting these!  Super easy. :)

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My schnauzer loved these. We are baking our second batch and have added peanut butter with the sweet potato baby food. Simple,easy and much cheaper than buying in the grocery stores!! Thank you!!
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my two Jack Russell terriers love these treats i make them with fruit baby food since they love fruit as much as i do. the treats never last very long because they are always beging for one when they are around.
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Oops! I left out "oatmeal" in my previous post...old-fashion oatmeal. :-)
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I boiled a pound of ground lamb, rinsed it well to remove fat, and added a half cup of it to my yorkie's treats. I used the basic ingredients of ground old-fashion and pure organic pumpkin. Ian loves it!! Of course I made them into cute little shapes.
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Making these today for my Daisy's 3rd birthday ")
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This is great! Can't wait to try..I think our cats will love them too! Has anybody froze them so they last longer?
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I just made your recipe. Thank you very much for posting this. I made sweet potato and turkey with Brown Rice flour. My dog has colitis and a sensitive stomach, so I hope he will do well with this formula. I am wondering, do you think it is okay to freeze them? If I do freeze them do they stay hard and crunchy or do they get soft? Thanks again.

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This is simple :-)

In case of the onions: Yes in larger amounts they are toxic since they cause the red blood cells to burst BUT in a smaller dose they actually have a "cleansing" effect - new red blood cells are going to be produced which are more flexible and can carry more oxigen, so this is kinda good! 

Also you could add some garlic as a natural defense to all kinds of vermin (ticks, fleas,..)

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Aloha Frm Hawaii thank you so much for putting up what seem's to be such a easy and healthy way to bake doggie treats for our little Mika Chan-chan. She really enjoy's having fresh blueberries as a small treat so we are goin to try your recipe this morning we think she will really enjoy these. We will keep you posted on the out come;) Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank you very much) Frm: Mika Chan-chan, Ronnie, Taka, & Kodee Mito
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I was just curious what I could use as an alternative too flour? Im pretty sure my dog has a very mild reaction to wheat. ( he doesnt get hot spots when hes eating grain free foods )

Thank you!

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