DIY Dog Treats

Between going for daily walks and consistent vet check-ups, keeping your pet healthy is top priority. You want them in your life for as long as possible, after all. Go one step further by making sure their diet includes only the healthiest of foods, whether it’s their everyday meals or their special treats.

Making treats at home is a fun and easy way to manage what your dog is consuming. You can even get the kids involved with choosing a recipe as well as measuring and stirring the ingredients. They will have fun feeding their furry friend something they helped make.

As you develop a recipe for your treats, keep your dog’s dietary needs, including potential allergens, top of mind. Common allergens include beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit and fish, and dogs with allergies are usually allergic to more than one thing.

Look no further than your pantry and refrigerator for dog-friendly ingredients to use in your homemade treats. Ingredients like peanut butter, oats, sweet potatoes, yogurt, pumpkin, eggs and carrots each benefit your pup’s health in different ways.

Peanut butter is a great source of protein and healthy fats. Oats and pumpkin provide fiber and can be used as a flour substitute for dogs with wheat allergies. Yogurt acts as a probiotic to strengthen your dog’s digestive system. Eggs are easily digestible and high in protein just like peanut butter. Carrots and apples serve as healthy pet snack on their own and can also be crunchy additions to your treats. Either way, they help to strengthen your pet’s teeth.

When you make cookie treats at home, you can keep them in the freezer for up to two months since they are preservative-free. Also consider making puppy popsicles by combining melted peanut butter and yogurt. Store them in ice cube trays and serve them right out of the freezer.

It may take a couple of tries with different ingredients to find your pet’s favorite, but they’re sure to enjoy anything you make for them with love.

Woof Gang Bakery is known for its tasty and nutritious dog treats and has shared one of its popular recipes for you to try at home with your furry friend.

Wheat Free Nutty Squirrel Cookies

Ingredients:
-5 cups rye flour
-1¼ cups water
-1¼ cups natural peanut butter
-1 tablespoon Blackstrap Molasses
-2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions:
Combine water, peanut butter, molasses and canola oil in a mixing bowl. Slowly add flour and mix on low speed until all ingredients are combined and dough forms. Roll dough batch out to 3/8” thickness. Cut out shapes with squirrel cookie cutter. Place treats face down on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 325° convection for 20 to 25 minutes. After the first 15 minutes, flip treats over so they are face up and bake uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, until thoroughly baked. Cool treats completely. Decorate tail with peanut butter covered in crushed peanuts or use a fork to imprint a crisscross pattern.