How to Pick the Healthiest Treats For Your Dog

DIY Dog Treat Recipes

Are you looking for healthy dog treats? There are many options like Blue Buffalo and Pawfy or make your own DIY dog treats.

4 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Remember that these are designed to be occasional treats and not the basis of your dog's daily nutritional requirements.

Also, don't forget to reduce the size of other meals; that way, you'll avoid the development of any weight problems.

Lastly, new foods can sometimes cause tummy upsets, so try to avoid too many new ingredients in a short period.

1. Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats

 Ingredients

• 1 medium banana, peeled and mashed.
• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter.
• 3 cups whole wheat flour.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. Grease a cookie sheet with nonstick spray. 
3. Mix the bananas and peanut butter until they are well blended. 
4. Add in 1 ½ cups of the flour and then mix until well combined. 
5. Add in the remaining flour and mix again. 
6. Turn out the dough and roll it into small bite-sized balls. 
7. Place on a cookie sheet an inch or two apart from each other. 
8. Bake for around 10 minutes. You'll know they're done when they're a light brown color.
9. Allow to cool completely before letting your dog have one of these tasty DIY treats.

2. Three Ingredient Banana Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water.
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour.
• 1 mashed banana.

 Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. 
2. Place the water and the mashed banana in a bowl and mix.
3. Add in the flour and keep mixing until thoroughly combined. 
4. Roll out the dough until it's about a half-inch thickness. 
5. Use a biscuit cutter or drinking glass to cut out the biscuits. 
6. Place on a pre-greased cookie sheet and bake for around 10 minutes.
7. Allow to cool completely before giving one of these tasty treats to your pup.

3. Bacon Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

These bacon pumpkin dog biscuits are a fun choice for having some variety in homemade treats. We love this recipe because of the savory and sweet bacon and pumpkin combination.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water.
• 2 cups whole wheat flour.
• 2 tablespoons oil.
• 1 can pumpkin puree.
• 3 strips of bacon chopped into small bits.

Directions

1. First of all, preheat the oven to a temperature of 350°F.
2. Place all of the ingredients (apart from the bacon) into a bowl.
3. Stir until it's thoroughly mixed.
4. Add the bacon and mix.
5. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and roll to around a 1/2 inch thickness. 
6. Cut into small squares or circles. 
7. Place each treat on a pre-greased cookie sheet and bake for around 15 minutes. The tops should just be turning light brown.
8. Allow to cool completely before letting your dog go wild over these tasty treats.

4. Coconut and Banana Dog Biscuits

If you love the aroma of coconut, this is a recipe for you! The banana gives these treats an extra bit of sweetness. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water.
• 2 cups whole wheat flour.
• 3 tablespoons oil.
• 1 mashed banana.
• 5 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. Place everything but the coconut in a bowl and mix well.
3. Slowly add the shredded coconut until it coats the dough. 
4. Roll out on a well-floured surface to about a 1/2 inch thickness. 
5. Cut into small squares or circles.
6. Bake for around 12 minutes or until light brown. 
7. Resist temptation and allow these tasty biscuits to cool completely before treating your pup.

Healthy Dog Treat Options

Pawfy

Pawfy provides treats for dogs that focus specifically on chronic conditions such as anxiety, stress, pain and maintaining healthy joints. Their treats are all made from natural ingredients. Pawfy also has a 2-minute quiz on their website to help pet owners find the best option for their dog based on their unique needs (and completing the quiz gets you 10% off your first order). Their treats are designed to provide relief to pets, so they're a good option to help improve their pet's quality of life.

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo treats are made from natural ingredients, including real chicken, salmon and turkey. They are free from artificial colors, preservatives and flavors, which make them a great choice for pet owners who're looking for healthy treat options. They also have options for dietary needs such as grain-free and gluten-free diets.

Greenies

Greenies are a popular dental chew treat for dogs. They help maintain oral health and hygiene, and help freshen your dog's breath. The chews are made from all-natural ingredients, are low in fat, and have no artificial preservatives, soy or wheat. The main ingredient is chlorophyll, which gives them their iconic green color. Greenies come in different sizes, so you can purchase whatever best suits your dog's unique needs depends on their weight.

Best Bully Sticks

Best Bully Sticks are a healthy, all-natural dog treat. They are made from 100% beef that is sourced from free-range cattle, and have no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. You can purchase Best Bully Sticks in different sizes, so there are options for small, medium and large dog breeds. They help promote good dental health and help prevent tooth decay, while being a great source for vitamins and minerals such as calcium, zinc and phosphorus.

Pet Lab Co.

Pet Lab Co. is a pet health brand that offers supplements designed to promote health in dogs. Their products are formulated to meet specific nutritional needs of different breeds, for dogs of all sizes. Many pet owners like their products because they are free from chemicals and preservatives. Instead, they contain ingredients that help with joint support, mobility and calming anxiety and stress.

How Do Homemade Dog Treats Compare to Store Bought Treats?

As you probably know, treats are typically given to dogs as a reward for being a great companion or while training to reward your dog for great behavior.

Many people feel that store-bought treats can be too rich or unhealthy. With homemade recipes, it's much easier to ensure that your pup is getting only the best ingredients while also receiving some good old-fashioned TLC from mom or dad.

What Are the Pros of Homemade Treats?

DIY dog treats are a healthier option for your dog because you can control all of the ingredients that go into them. This means you can ensure the recipe does not have any substances or preservatives in it that could harm your pet.

It also means you can control how much salt, sugar, or other additives are included in the recipe while still being able to provide your dog with a tasty treat!

And let's not forget that homemade treats are often cheaper/more cost-effective than store-bought!

What Are the Cons of Homemade Treats?

Of course, there's always a downside — and in this case, it's that homemade dog treats are not as convenient as store-bought treats. You might also find it challenging to get each of the ingredients you want or need in one place.

You also need to consider the time it takes to prepare and cook these tasty treats. However, if you can make a gap in your schedule, these recipes really can be an excellent alternative for your pup!