Dog treats are getting expensive. If you want to spoil your dog without the weekly shop creeping up again, the good news is that most of these take one bowl, three or four ingredients you already have, and about 20 minutes.
Before you start: the short list of what never goes in
Worth getting this out of the way once. The RSPCA lists these as toxic to dogs and some of them are genuinely dangerous in small amounts: chocolate, grapes, sultanas, raisins and currants, onion and garlic, macadamias and nuts generally, avocado, alcohol, coffee, mushrooms, bread dough, and xylitol.
A few more that will not poison your dog but will make them unwell: cooked bones, raw egg, very salty or very fatty food, and anything sugary. Pretzels, bacon and salted peanut butter turn up in a lot of dog treat recipes for this reason, and they are worth leaving out.
A note on peanut butter
Peanut butter is in three of the recipes below, so this is worth two sentences. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, is seriously toxic to dogs and it has started appearing in some sugar-free peanut butters overseas. Pet Insurance Australia warns that poisoning can develop within 15 to 30 minutes.
The reassuring part, and it is the part most warnings leave out because most warnings are written for America: an Australian vet who went looking could not find a peanut butter sold here that contains it, and xylitol has to be declared on the label in Australia anyway. So check the label once, and if xylitol is not on it you are fine. Standard supermarket peanut butter is not the problem.
And one honest caveat
We make dog tags, not dog food. These are treats, not meals, and they should stay occasional. If your dog has a health condition, is on a prescription diet, or is overweight, ask your vet before you add anything new. That goes double if your dog is diabetic, which is why there is no diabetic recipe on this list.
1. Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Treats
Now here’s a quick cure for zoomies! Loaded with pumpkin, peanut butter, and lots of love, these homemade dog treats can calm down your little tornadoes faster than they can say ‘woof’.
2. Bananas and Carrots Biscuits
We bet your four-legged friend will just looove these scrumptious and healthy dog treats. If you have a pupper struggling to lose some pounds, this winning recipe should have them paw-sing for Dogue Magazine in no time.
3. Blueberry Dog Ice Cream
Forget puppuccinos! We have something even bigger–dog ice cream! Hotter days are coming, so we’re paw-sitive you need these frozen dog treats sitting in your fridge, waiting for your good boys and girls to gobble them up.
4. Peanut Butter Cookies
Since peanut butter seems to be a clear favourite among our cuddly canines, we’re giving you not just one but 3 easy peanut butter dog treats for you to try! This particular recipe is fairly straightforward: simply mix, roll, cut and voila–your pupper will be a happy camper.
5. Diabetic Dog Treats
Other than your cuddles, Fido doesn’t really need any more sweetness. These healthy sugar-free dog treats are so heckin’ good, he’ll be gobbling these down without any paws in between.
6. Liver Lickers Natural Dog Biscuits
Image Credit: Raleigh, NC Vet
Besides peanut butter, liver is also a top contender in the Canine favourites department. These natural dog treats, made of wheat germ and pureed liver, are fuss-free to prep and store. You can easily whip one out for your goodest boi.
7. Peanut Butter Pup-sicle
This, in our opinion, is what love looks like. Although, we are a bit unsure if it’s for his hooman or this peanut butter pupsicle! Judging from how these DIY dog treats are made, our money’s definitely on the latter.
8. Coat-Conut Treats
Get your pupper runway-ready with these easy DIY dog treats made from coconut and Brewer’s Yeast. Known best to improve your floof’s skin and coat, this simple 2-ingredient recipe doubles as a supplement as well as a treat!
9. Three-ingredient banana treats
Celebrating your pup’s big day won’t be complete without dog birthday treats to share with furr-iends. These homemade dog treats with rolled oats are so fun and easy to make. Pop a couple of these into a doggie bag and you should have the perfect paw-ty giveaways.
10. Homemade Beef Jerky for Dogs
If you’re looking to shift Sassy Sam to a healthier diet, consider making these homemade beef jerky dog treats. Not only are they economical, you’re also feeding your prized pup premium proteins!
Don’t forget to take photos of your ecstatic cuddle bugs! Candid snapshots of them eating are the best photos you could ever take. And while you’re considering giving them supreme pampering, complete their photoshoot with these adorable personalised dog bandanas and dog tags. They’re made to order for you in Australia and shipped fast.
