Store-bought dog treats are often times junk food in the canine world: rapid, easy, and sure to get the pleasure centers in your pup’s brain lighting up like a christmas tree! The main downside, from my perspective as a veterinarian, is a substantial one.
In nearly all cases, commercially available treats are exceedingly unhealthy and lack good, wholesome nutritional value. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if dog snacks not only made tails wag and lips smack, but could also improve the health and wellbeing of pupkind?
So put on your chef’s hat and pull out your apron because it’s time to get cooking some simple and delicious vet-approved homemade dog treats.
Not a master chef? No worries! Baking these homemade dog treats is as easy as pie. Owner of a fussy pup? Don’t stress! These recipes aren’t just vet approved, they’re also pet approved! The best part? These dog treats are actually good for your furbaby, when fed within reason. Let’s get cooking!
Note: No more than 10% of your dog’s diet should be made up of treats, with the remaining 90% being made of a complete, balanced and lifestage-appropriate dog food.
Parsley Chicken Crunchies
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Makes approximately 40 crunchies
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup cooked chicken
You can purchase this pre-cooked. Or, bake plain chicken breasts at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (75°C) as measured by a meat thermometer. Cool the chicken breast completely before beginning the crunchies.
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large organic egg
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water or milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Sieve the whole wheat flour into a large mixing bowl, and add the chopped parsley.
- Finely chop the chicken and add it to the mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (egg, oil and milk/water).
- Toss your whisked wet ingredients into your dry, and mix thoroughly until a firm dough is formed.
- Pour your dough out onto a clean, floured work surface and roll out until the dough is about ¼ inch thick.
- Use your dog’s favorite cookie cutters (think bone shaped, paw shaped etc) to divvy out the dough into crunchies. Place the shapes onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes (check after 20) until the crunchies are golden, crispy and, well – crunchy!
- Allow to cool completely before removing from the baking sheet.
Store these homemade dog treats in an airtight container for up to 48 hours at room temperature, or 5 days in the fridge. They can also be stored for up to 6 weeks in the deep freeze (if freezing, defrost fully before feeding immediately to your dog).
Hypoallergenic Duck and Pea Crackers
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Makes approximately 35 crackers
Ingredients
- 1 large duck breast, oven cooked at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes. The internal temperature should reach around 140-145°F (60-63°C). Let the duck breast cool completely before chopping finely into small pieces.
- 1 cup frozen green peas (boiled for 5 minutes and then drained and cooled).
- ½ cup potato starch
- 1-2 tablespoons cold water if needed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Mash the peas and add the duck. Mix well.
- Add the potato starch a little at a time, stirring continuously. Then add water a teaspoon at a time until the mixture forms a dough.
- Pour the dough out onto a clean and floured work surface. Roll out until the dough is about ¼ inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters to create whatever shape of crackers your little heart desires.
- Place the crackers onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, then carefully flip the crackers and place back in the oven for a further 5-15 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before removing.
Store these hypoallergenic vet approved dog treats in the same manner as the Parsley Chicken Crunchies above.
Vegan Sweet Potato Chewies
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 3 hours
Makes approximately 25 chewies
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean and dried, with the skin left on.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Carefully slice the sweet potatoes (and not your fingers) into ⅓ inch thick strips.
- Lay the strips lovingly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Bake for 2.5-3 hours, turning halfway through. You want the chewies to be chewy, not completely dry!
- Allow to cool completely before serving or storing.
Store these homemade delights in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, or 7 days in the fridge.
Bow-Wow and Barky’s Peanut Butter Cup “Ice Cream”
This pup-friendly frozen yogurt is a play on my favorite flavor of frozen sweet treat for humans! It can be stored in an airtight container in the deep freeze for up to 6 weeks.
Be sure to allow each individual serving of frozen yogurt to partially defrost at room temperature for 15 minutes before feeding to your dog, to reduce any risk of choking or damage to those pearly whites. This is my favorite vet approved homemade dog treats recipe on the list!
Prep time: 10 mins
Freeze time: at least 4 hours
Makes 10 individual servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain, unsweetened soya, almond or coconut yogurt (be sure to check it doesn’t contain any sweeteners, as these may be unsafe for your pet)
- ¼ cup natural, xylitol-free peanut butter
- Optional: one heaped tablespoon of carob chips (unlike chocolate, carob is completely safe for dogs! Just check your chips don’t contain any artificial sweeteners, which may not be suitable)
Instructions
- Blend the yogurt and peanut butter together until smooth.
- Add the carob chips if using.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray.
- Place the tray in your freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.
Homemade dog treats don’t have to be difficult or time consuming, and I hope this short compilation of vet-approved options has been helpful (and filled you with confidence to go forth and conquer the kitchen!) Until we meet again, may your Saturdays be filled with good weather for walkies, and your house always smell like freshly baked goodies.
Written By Dr Daisy May MRCVS BVSc, Veterinary Surgeon
