Sit, Stay, Shake: 5 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dog Treat Recipes You Can Make Yourself

Who doesn’t love dogs?

What’s not to love? They’re loyal, they love you no matter what, and they are so darn cute!

With 89.7 million dogs living in American households, dogs are big business.

Are you the type of person concerned with the safety of commercial dog products such as food, treats, and remedies? Do you like to keep things natural when it comes to your four-legged friend? Natural remedies? Natural food? Natural treats? Natural flea preventative?

Your best friend deserves the best and definitely deserves a treat every now and then. Take a look at these five quick, easy, and healthy dog treat recipes you can make yourself.

5 Dog Treat Recipes

Making homemade dog cookies or homemade dog treats is easier than you think! Bonus: You’ll know exactly what’s in them!

Frozen Peanut Butter and Banana Treats

Peanut butter and banana are a winning combination!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup of Peanut Butter (do NOT use a brand containing xylitol)
• 32 oz. Plain Yogurt
• 2 Bananas

Instructions:

1. Melt the peanut butter in the microwave
2. Mash the bananas
3. Mix bananas and peanut butter with the yogurt
4. Put mixture into cupcake papers or silicone ice cube trays

Your dog will love these frosty treats!

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin is known to be very good for dogs.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 4 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or coconut oil
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven, 350 degrees
2. Mix pumpkin, water, and oil together in a small bowl
3. Add flour, baking powder, and baking soda stirring until the dough is pliable.
4. Take teaspoons of dough and roll into balls
5. Place on a greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork
6. Bake 20-25 minutes until these homemade dog cookies harden

Even your dog will jump on the pumpkin bandwagon next fall.

Sweet Potato Sticks

Raw or cooked, dogs love sweet potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 or 2 sweet potatoes (depending on how many dogs you have)
• 1 tbsp of coconut oil per potato
• Spices: (suggestions: turmeric, ginger, parsley or cinnamon)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Peel the potatoes
3. Cut the potato into sticks, being careful to make them even
4. In a Ziploc bag, toss with oil and whatever spices you chose
5. Place in one layer on a baking sheet
6. Bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time
7. Cool before serving

While you’re making these for your pal, throw in a few for yourself!

Grain-Free Dog Treats

Grain-free diet? No problem.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chickpea or oat flour
• 1/2 cup of coconut flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter (do NOT use a brand containing xylitol)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• cookie cutters (suggestion: bone-shaped cookie cutter)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven, 350 degrees
2. Mash banana in a large bowl
3. Beat in eggs until blended
4. Add peanut butter, beating until smooth
5. Add the 2 flours and baking soda and fold into the mixture using a spatula-don’t be afraid to use your hands if necessary
6. Roll out on parchment paper
7. Cut with cookie cutters
8. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until browned
9. Cool completely

Tip: Use different holiday cookie cutters throughout the year.

Cranberry Cookies

Caution: Be sure to use dried cranberries and never raisins!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 3 tbsp coconut flour
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• cookie cutter

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven, 325 degrees
2. Mix whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and cranberries in a bowl
3. Add eggs and knead to create a dough-it will be a bit sticky
4. Add coconut flour one tablespoon at a time
5. Roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutter
6. Place on parchment covered cookie sheet
7. Bake for 14-18 minutes
8. Cool and keep in a container.

The Best for Your Pup

Hope your dog will enjoy trying out these dog treat recipes. We can offer advice on anything dog-related. Stop by and learn all you can for keeping your best friend happy and healthy.