These homemade healthy treats are easy to make and great for your doggie to enjoy during training sessions (or whenever you’re feeling like giving your dog a special treat!)
Ingredients for Homemade Dog Treats
At only four ingredients, these DIY dog treats are super easy to make for your furry friend(s). When choosing which type of flour to use, stick with whole-wheat flour as it is healthiest and safest for dogs. (It does contain gluten, if your dog has a gluten intolerance look for a gluten free option). When selecting what type or brand of peanut butter to use- make sure to read the list of ingredients on the jar to ensure it is safe for your dog to consume. You’ll want to avoid peanut butter that contains added sugars (especially xylitol). Choose an all natural peanut butter or one that is made just for dogs (some can be found on amazon). Because pumpkin puree can have sugars added, we recommend using our Native Pet Pumpkin Powder for this recipe. It's specifically formulated for dogs, so you don’t have to worry about any added ingredients that can make your dog sick. All you have to do is add water and it turns into a yummy pumpkin puree to use in this recipe.
Preparation & Baking the Dog Treats
Making homemade dog treats may seem like a hassle, but with this recipe it's quite easy. Only four ingredients and just a few steps to mix them altogether and cut them into your desired shape. Not only will it save you some money in the long run, but it's a healthier option than most commercial dog treats with tons of unrecognizable ingredients. Always start off with preheating the oven so it’s ready for use when you’re done mixing and cutting. Once you’ve got all the ingredients together, you will use a rolling pen to roll out the dough. Use a knife to cut the dough into small pieces that are a good size for training treats (depending on your dog’s size). If you prefer, you can also use a cookie cutter to make them into dog biscuits. Once you have the dough in the desired shape and size, line them on a baking sheet with some parchment paper and pop them in the oven for about 20-30 minutes. Compared to some dog treat recipes, this one is super easy and provides you with an abundance of training treats to use for your dog or new puppy. Knowing all the ingredients that are in the treat you’re giving your own dog is so comforting. Once these peanut butter dog treats are done, transfer them to an airtight container after they are cooled. Use them within 2 weeks of making.
Pet Parent Tip
Set up ‘reward stations’ around the house when you are in the process of training your new dog or puppy. Put a handful of treats in a few different airtight containers and distribute them around the house. That way in every room you have training treats available to quickly reward your dog for being a good girl or boy!
These delicious pumpkin and peanut butter treats can also be used to crumble on top of dog food if your dog is finicky about eating. Their small size make them great to use for enrichment activities too, like a snuffle mat or treat dispensing toy.
For more homemade dog treat recipes, check out the Native Pet blog.
