NATURE FIRST · NUTRITION
Homemade Dog Treats: Easy Healthy Recipes
Baked yourself, you know exactly what is in them: no hidden additives, no sugar, but cheap and quick to make. With a base recipe and safe ingredients.
Treats from your own oven have one big advantage: you decide every ingredient. No hidden additives, no unnecessary sugar, and with intolerances you can deliberately rely on a single ingredient. On top of that, home-baked biscuits are cheap and made in half an hour.
Safe ingredients for dog biscuits
These ingredients are well suited for dogs and can be combined freely. Pureed fruit and vegetables bring natural sweetness, entirely without sugar.
| Ingredient | Provides | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oats | Binding and fibre | A good, easily digestible base for the dough. |
| Carrot and pumpkin | Vitamins, natural sweetness | Finely grated or pureed into the mix. |
| Apple and banana | Sweetness and aroma | Apple without the core, banana well ripe. |
| Lean meat or fish | Savoury taste | Tuna or chicken, unseasoned. |
| Egg, quark, cottage cheese | Protein and binding | In moderation, good for a firm dough. |
These ingredients do not belong in the dough
Some foods are toxic to dogs and have no place in treats:
- Chocolate and cocoa, onion, leek and garlic, grapes and raisins.
- Xylitol (birch sugar) and other sweeteners, even small amounts are dangerous.
- Lots of salt and sugar and heavily seasoned leftovers.
- Raw potatoes and raw legumes.
You will find a detailed overview in our article on foods that are toxic for dogs.
Base recipe in four steps
Mix the dough
Knead about 200 g of oats with a pureed carrot or half an apple and one egg into a firm dough.
Roll out
Roll the dough thin and cut out small shapes or cut into cubes. Small portions are healthier.
Bake
Bake at about 160 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until the biscuits are firm and dry.
Cool down
Let them cool and dry out well. The drier the biscuits, the longer they keep.
Store them right
So the biscuits stay fresh
- Dry, hard biscuits keep for several weeks in a tin
- Soft treats with cream cheese or meat belong in the fridge and keep a few days
- Freeze larger amounts in portions and thaw as needed
- Always store fully dried, otherwise mould threatens
Practical helpers
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Cookie cutters
Small bones or hearts so the portions stay nicely small and even.
- Food-safe
- Small sizes
- Easy to clean
Silicone baking mat
Nothing sticks, easy to clean and reusable again and again.
- Non-stick
- Heat-resistant
- Dishwasher-safe
Dehydrator
For especially long-lasting dried snacks from meat, fruit or vegetables.
- Several trays
- Gentle drying
- Saves power compared to the oven
Frequently asked questions
How long do homemade treats keep?
Well dried, hard biscuits keep for several weeks in a tin. Soft snacks belong in the fridge or freezer.
Which ingredients are off-limits?
Chocolate, onion, leek and garlic, grapes and raisins and the sweetener xylitol. Lots of salt and sugar also have no place in dog biscuits.
Do dog biscuits work without grain?
Yes. Instead of oats you can use potato, pumpkin or chickpea flour as a base.
How many treats are okay?
Treats are extras and should make up only a small part of the daily ration, about ten percent. Kept small, the waistline stays in check.