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Easy Homemade Dog Treats Your Pup Will Love

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If your dog is like most, he watches in awe whenever you pull something out of the oven, and if you're like most dog lovers, you want to hand over every bite he's begging for. The good news? You can make simple, safe homemade dog treats right in your kitchen using just a few ingredients.

Whether your pup goes crazy for peanut butter or loves a good pumpkin bite, here are some of our favorite easy recipes to try:

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Treats

This recipe comes straight from Diana Hall of Camp Bow Wow Burnsville, who shared it live on KARE 11. It's quick, simple, and your dog will love it.

Ingredients you'll need:

  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup organic peanut butter (xylitol-free, see safety note below)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp water

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together until a dough forms.
  2. Roll the dough out on a flat surface, just like you would for cookies.
  3. Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter or knife.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until firm and golden.
  5. Let them cool completely before giving one to your pup.

They'll smell so good you might want to take a bite yourself.

Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Bites

These are for dogs with wheat sensitivities. Plain pumpkin is easy on sensitive stomachs, and most dogs absolutely love it.

Ingredients you'll need:

  • ½ cup plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
  • ½ cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
  • 1 cup oat flour

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together until a dough forms.
  2. Roll the dough out on a flat surface and cut into shapes.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes until firm.
  4. Let them cool completely before serving.

Banana Oat Treats

A naturally sweet, peanut butter-free option your pup will go crazy for this treat. The ripe bananas add natural sweetness without any added sugar, making these a great choice for dogs with more sensitive systems.

Ingredients you'll need:

  • 1 ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 cup oats, blended into flour
  • ¼ cup natural peanut butter (optional, xylitol-free)

Instructions:

  1. Mash the banana in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Add the oat flour and peanut butter (if using) and mix until a dough forms. Add a little extra oat flour if the dough feels too sticky.
  3. Roll out on a flat surface and cut into shapes.
  4. Bake at 300°F for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and firm.
  5. Let them cool completely before serving.

Almond Banana Bites

This is a great gluten-free option for dogs who can't tolerate wheat or oats. Almond butter gives these a rich flavor your pup will love, and just like peanut butter, you'll want to make sure yours is unsweetened and xylitol-free before using it.

Ingredients you'll need:

  • 1 small banana, mashed
  • ¼ cup almond butter (unsweetened, xylitol-free)
  • 1½ cups gluten-free flour

Instructions:

  1. Mash the banana in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Add the almond butter and gluten-free flour and mix until a dough forms.
  3. Roll out on a flat surface and cut into shapes or roll into small balls.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes until firm.
  5. Let them cool completely before serving.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

This is a hearty, wholesome treat with just three ingredients. Sweet potato is packed with vitamins and fiber, making it a great ingredient for dogs who need a little extra nutritional boost.

Ingredients you'll need:

  • 1 cup mashed sweet potato
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free)

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together until a dough forms.
  2. Roll out to about ¼ inch thick and cut into shapes.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes until firm.
  4. Let them cool completely before serving.

Carrot and Peanut Butter Biscuits

Carrots are one of the best vegetables you can give your dog, and they work wonderfully in homemade treats. These biscuits have a little more going on ingredient-wise, but they come together quickly and make a big batch.

Ingredients you'll need:

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1½ cups grated or finely chopped carrots
  • 1 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2½ tsp baking powder

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until a firm dough forms.
  3. Roll out on a flat surface and cut into shapes.
  4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and firm.
  5. Let them cool completely before serving.

Frozen Yogurt Berry Bites

No oven needed for this one. These frozen treats are perfect for hot summer days when your pup needs something cool and refreshing. Plain Greek yogurt is safe for most dogs and a great source of protein.

Ingredients you'll need:

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened, no xylitol)
  • 8 strawberries
  • ½ cup blueberries

Instructions:

  1. Blend the yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries together until smooth.
  2. Pour the mixture into silicone molds or an ice cube tray.
  3. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until solid.
  4. Pop them out and serve straight from the freezer.

These can be stored in the freezer in a zip-lock bag for up to two months.

Why Make Your Own Homemade Dog Treats

Here's why a lot of dog owners love making their own treats:

  • You know exactly what's in them. Store-bought treats can have long ingredient lists that are hard to track. When you bake your own, you control everything, which matters a lot if your dog has a sensitive stomach or food allergies.
  • You can customize for your pup. Can't do wheat? Use oat flour. Avoiding peanut butter? Try sweet potato or banana. Homemade means the recipe works for your dog, not just any dog.
  • You enjoy baking for the ones you love. Just like you'd make something special for your family, a lot of pet parents love treating their pup to something made with a little extra care.

How to Store Your Dog Treats the Right Way

Before you bake, check the label on your peanut butter. Some brands contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs, so this one is worth a quick look before you get started. Only use natural, unsweetened peanut butter with no added sweeteners.

Other ingredients to avoid entirely:

  • Chocolate
  • Onions and garlic
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Anything with artificial sweeteners

Once your treats are baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for up to two months. Pull out a few at a time and let them thaw before serving. And if your pup has a preference, bake them a little longer for a crunchier treat or pull them out a few minutes early for something softer.

Spoil Your Pup Even More With Camp Bow Wow

Baking your dog a batch of homemade treats is one of the sweetest things you can do as a pet parent. And when your pup is ready for a day of fun, friends, and activity, Camp Bow Wow is here for that too.

Our dog daycare and boarding services give your dog a safe, supervised place to play and socialize while you take care of life. Find your local Camp and give your pup the full treatment, good treats and all.

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