And now again your dog has given you that look, eh? The one that states, I should have a reward because I was born. After which you decide to look in the cabinet and you find out that you totally have no store-bought goodies. Classic.
The good news here is that you do not have to go to an expensive pet bakery or get some sort of weird ingredient that you cannot pronounce. You can prepare easy dog treats, which you can prepare using pantry items at present with items lying in your kitchen.
I have done it so many times that I cannot remember, and particularly when my dog has a sudden idea that he is starving between dinner and bedtime.
You are in the right place, in case you love spoiling your pup and at the same time saving some money (as well as not knowing what is enhanced in the recipes).
We shall discuss easy, safe and in fact, fun to make homemade dog treats.
Table of Contents
Why Make Homemade Dog Treats?
Have you ever turned over a bag of dog food and attempted to read the label of the ingredients? Yeah… same.
When you prepare treats yourself, you are in charge of everything. You get rid of artificial preservatives, too much salt and bizarre fillers. You even have the pleasure of seeing your dog go completely crazy about something you have created. And honestly? It is worth it only because of that reaction.
Here’s why I swear by homemade:
- You are well aware of the contents.
- You save money
- You customize for allergies
- You do not use superfluous additives.
And have you ever noticed your dog looking in the oven when there is something in there that is being baked? It’s adorable. Moderately melodramatic, though cute.
Pantry Staples That Are Safe for Dogs
Now that we are going to recipes, a little bit of basics will be covered first. Dogs like most of the foods in your pantry do not work however there are many foods that they like.
Safe and Simple Ingredients
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free only!)
- Oats
- Whole wheat flour
- Pumpkin puree (plain, not pie filling)
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Sweet potatoes
- Rice
Always double-check labels. In case of the xylitol, you should replace it. Dogs should not be exposed to that stuff.
1. Peanut Butter Oat Biscuits
Well, we can begin with the one that is classical. Had dogs been allowed to vote this one would win by far.
Why Dogs Love It
Peanut butter has a heavy smell, is rich in taste, and indulges. The peanut butter jar opens and my dog hears this from a distance. Coincidence? I think not.
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 egg
- 2–3 tablespoons water (as needed)
How to Make It
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Blend oats into a flour-like texture.
- Mix peanut butter, oat flour, egg, and water until you form a dough.
- Roll it out and cut into shapes.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Allow to cool down and serve. Ever wondered why dogs have some special magic of knowing when something becomes cooler? They just do.
Tips: Bake longer when you need crunchy things.
2. Banana Pumpkin Soft Bites
This one tastes like dog dessert. And it smells great during baking.
Why It Works
Pumpkins aid in the digestive process and bananas provide the natural sweetness. Fundamentally, it is pup comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour
How to Make It
- Mash banana until smooth.
- Stir in pumpkin and egg.
- Gradually add flour until dough forms.
- Roll small balls or flatten gently.
- Bake at 350°F for 15–18 minutes.
They remain soft and chewy, thereby making them ideal to the old dogs.
This one, IMO, is good enough to make you ask yourself about your choice in life half a second. Don’t worry, I won’t judge.
3. Sweet Potato Chews
Wish something terribly easy? This is it.
Why It Works
The sweet potatoes contain natural vitamins and fiber. You use one ingredient. That’s it.
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato
How to Make It
- Slice thin strips.
- Lay on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 250°F for 2–3 hours.
Flip halfway through. The more time you bake the chewier they become.
This is a fancy looking recipe, but it is literally baked slices. Your dog will put it through the food of kings.
4. Apple Cinnamon Crunchies
This one feels autumn-coded. But dogs do not mind about seasons, thus they become wild.
Why It Works
Apples contain fiber and are natural sweeteners. Cinnamon is also safe when used in small quantities.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 2 cups oat flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
How to Make It
- Mix applesauce and egg.
- Stir in oat flour and cinnamon.
- Roll and cut into shapes.
- Bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.
These crisp up beautifully. Have you ever observed that dogs crunch everything to love? It’s like ASMR for them.
5. Rice & Chicken Mini Bites
Have you some rice and chicken left? Perfect.
Why It Works
The ingredients of this recipe are simple and digestible. It is suitable to delicate stomachs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice
- ½ cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1 egg
How to Make It
- Blend everything together.
- Spoon into small mounds.
- Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
Simple. No drama. Just happy tail wagging.
Tips for Making Simple Dog Treats You Can Make With Pantry Staples
Let’s make your life easier.
Keep These in Mind
- Store in airtight containers
- Refrigerate soft treats
- Freeze extras
- Avoid sugar and salt
- Use dog-safe ingredients only
It does not matter how you are presented to your dog. But tell the truth, pitting the tiny bone pieces makes it more pleasant to you.
Homemade vs Store-Bought: Honest Comparison
I’m not anti-store-bought. Sometimes convenience wins. But here’s my honest take:
| Homemade | Store-Bought |
| Control ingredients | Longer shelf life |
| Fresher | Faster to grab |
| Customizable | Convenient |
If you enjoy baking and have 20 minutes, homemade wins. If you’re juggling chaos, store-bought exists for a reason.
Balance, my friend.
Are Homemade Dog Treats Healthier?
Short answer? Usually, yes, if you use whole ingredients.
You avoid preservatives. You skip artificial dyes. You control portion size.
But remember: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Even the healthiest treat becomes too much if you overdo it.
Your dog will pretend they need 47 treats. They do not.
Can You Make These Recipes Grain-Free?
Absolutely. Swap whole wheat flour for:
- Oat flour
- Coconut flour (use less, it absorbs moisture)
- Chickpea flour
Experiment carefully. Dough texture changes depending on flour.
Ever tried coconut flour without adjusting moisture? It turns into dog treat cement. Ask me how I know.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s save you from rookie errors.
- Using peanut butter with xylitol
- Overbaking until rock-hard
- Forgetting to cool treats
- Adding sugar
- Using onions or garlic
Dogs don’t need seasoning. They already think plain chicken is Michelin-star cuisine.
Why Dogs Love Homemade Treats
I swear dogs know when you make something for them. They hover. They supervise. They judge your stirring technique.
When you bake simple dog treats you can make with pantry staples, you create more than food. You create a tiny bonding moment.
And honestly? That matters.
Final Thoughts: Spoil Them Smartly
You do not have to scurry over to the store and purchase specialty items to make your dog happy. Just some of the pantry, a little time and even a dog staring at you as though you should have paid them rent.
Simple dog treats are low-cost, safe, and fun to make because they can be made using pantry products. It allows you to control the food that your dog consumes.
It also makes you feel like one of the high-end pet parents, which you are likely to be.
And the next time you are short of sweets, do not worry. Grab that peanut butter. Mash that banana. Slice that sweet potato.
Your dog will make such an impression that you opened a five-star restaurant.
And honestly? It is all worth it because of that tail wag.
