Making homemade dog treats is a great way to reward your pet without having to worry about his health or safety. With the recent string of dog treat recalls, we can't be too careful about what our canine companions snack on. That's why I make DIY dog treats for my pack.
When you make your dogs' treats at home you don't need to worry about where the ingredients come from or how they are processed. You can control the quality of the ingredients and how they are prepared and stored.
Dog treats shouldn't make up a large part of your pup's diet, so many owners don't think the quality of treats is that important. If you're one of these owners, you're sadly mistaken.
They may not make up a large portion of his diet, but over time the toxins, chemicals, artificial ingredients and fillers found in poor quality treats can lead to serious negative health effects. You should put as much consideration into the treats you feed your pet as you do the dog food he eats every day.
DIY Dog Treats: A Tasty Recipe
Commercial dog treats typically fall into two categories – (1) cheap, but unhealthy or (2) healthy, but expensive. If you're looking for a simple homemade dog treat recipe that is affordable and healthy, these DIY dog treats may be just what you want. These treats are soft and recommended for dogs in any stage of life.
DIY Dog Treats: A Tasty Recipe
This is a limited ingredient recipe. With just three ingredients, it's an excellent option for pets with food allergies or sensitive stomachs. As I mentioned, you can make substitutions if your pet has food sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: about 15 treats 1x
- Category: Cooked Treats
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quick oatmeal
- 1/2 cup applesauce (cinnamon or plain)
- 1 egg
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350˚F.
Mix the oats and applesauce until well blended. Add the egg to the mixture and mix again. The batter will be very moist.
You can drop the cookies onto a well greased cookie sheet. Just be sure you're making cookies that are appropriately sized for your dog. You could also use small silicone molds or a mini muffin pan if you prefer.
Bake the cookies at 350˚F for about 20 minutes. These are moist, soft treats. They're great for dogs with dental health issues and/or senior pets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 28
- Sugar: .9 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: .7 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.6 g
- Fiber: .7 g
- Protein: 1.1 g
- Cholesterol: 11 mg
How to store: Store leftover treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 12-14 days. Remember that these treats do not have the preservatives that store bought products do. They will not last as long. If you'd like, you can freeze these treats in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treats recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips and advice, see our “Recipes” section. If you're new to home cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.
