Homemade dog treats without the guesswork
Start with five complete, kitchen-tested recipes below, then get the free 22-page PuzzlePup ebook for all 15 baked, frozen, no-bake and savory ideas.
Homemade treats let you choose the ingredients and adjust the piece size for your dog, but homemade does not automatically mean complete, balanced or appropriate for every dog. Treats are extras. Keep portions small, introduce one new recipe at a time and ask your veterinarian before changing food for a dog with allergies, pancreatitis, diabetes, kidney disease, digestive problems or a prescription diet.
15 easy homemade dog treat ideas
Use the buttons to narrow the list. The five recipes marked below are fully included on this page; the free ebook contains the complete instructions for all 15.
Five homemade dog treat recipes to make now
No-bake recipe
Frozen Pumpkin Banana Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
Directions
- Mash the banana until mostly smooth.
- Stir in the pumpkin and yogurt.
- Spoon into a mini silicone mold.
- Freeze until firm, about 3 hours.
Storage: Freeze in a sealed container for up to one month. Serve straight from the freezer in small portions.
Easy swap: For dairy-sensitive dogs, use water instead of yogurt. Start with one mini bite.
Baked recipe
Apple-Carrot Oat Coins
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup finely grated carrot
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix all ingredients into a thick, scoopable dough.
- Drop teaspoon portions and flatten into small coins.
- Bake 18-22 minutes, until set and lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool completely.
Storage: Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to five days, or freeze for up to one month.
Easy swap: Use plain pumpkin puree instead of applesauce. Break into smaller pieces for training.
Baked recipe
Sweet Potato Oat Biscuits
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked mashed sweet potato, plain
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1 large egg
- 2-4 tablespoons water, as needed
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix sweet potato, oat flour and egg.
- Add water one tablespoon at a time only if the dough is dry.
- Roll 1/4 inch thick, cut small shapes and place on the sheet.
- Bake 22-28 minutes. Cool completely.
Storage: Refrigerate up to five days or freeze up to one month.
For more crunch: Turn off the oven and let the treats dry inside for 20 minutes.
Baked recipe
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter labeled xylitol-free
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 large egg
Directions
- Read the peanut butter label and confirm it contains no xylitol or birch sugar.
- Heat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix pumpkin, peanut butter and egg; stir in oat flour.
- Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut small shapes.
- Bake 18-22 minutes and cool completely.
Storage: Refrigerate up to five days or freeze up to one month.
Portion note: Peanut butter is calorie-dense, so keep pieces small. Read the dog-safe peanut butter guide before substituting brands.
Savory recipe
Chicken-Carrot Training Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped cooked chicken breast, unseasoned
- 1/2 cup finely grated carrot
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup oat flour
Directions
- Heat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet.
- Pulse or chop the chicken very finely.
- Mix chicken, carrot, egg and oat flour.
- Press into a thin 8-inch square on the sheet.
- Bake 18-22 minutes. Confirm poultry reaches 165 F.
- Cool, then cut into tiny training bites.
Storage: Refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to one month.
Training tip: Cut the finished sheet into pea-sized rewards. Compare more options in the dog training treat guide.
Dog treat safety before you start
Homemade treats are extras, not a complete or balanced diet. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends keeping treats below 10% of a dog's daily calories and choosing an appropriate size and shape. Ask your veterinary team what is suitable for your individual dog.
Wash hands, bowls and tools before and after preparation. Cool baked treats completely before storage. Refrigerate soft, moist, meat, fish and dairy recipes promptly, and discard anything that smells off or shows mold.
Free 22-page digital cookbook
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The free ebook adds the remaining ten complete recipes, equipment notes, storage guidance, swaps and a dog-first kitchen safety section. Enter your email on the recipe funnel and the download appears immediately.
Get the free ebook →Prefer ready-made rewards?
The recipes above are the main event. These optional PuzzlePup products are shortcuts for busy training and enrichment days.
Handmade Pumpkin TreatsFour familiar ingredients. Buy two bags and get the third 50% off automatically.
PuzzlePup Snuffle MatTurn small dry treats or kibble into a supervised sniff-and-search activity.
Keep learning: is pumpkin good for dogs?, how to choose dog-safe peanut butter, and how to use a Snuffle Mat.
Homemade dog treat questions
What is the easiest homemade dog treat?
Frozen Pumpkin Banana Bites require only pumpkin, banana and plain unsweetened yogurt. Mix, portion and freeze. Use water instead of yogurt for a dairy-sensitive dog after confirming the ingredients fit that dog.
How long do homemade dog treats last?
It depends on moisture and ingredients. The recipes on this page specify refrigerator or freezer storage. Soft, moist, meat, fish and dairy treats should be refrigerated promptly. Discard treats that smell off or show mold.
Can dogs eat peanut butter in homemade treats?
Some dogs can, but the label must contain no xylitol or birch sugar. Peanut butter is calorie-dense, and individual allergies or medical conditions matter. Ask your veterinarian when unsure.
Are homemade dog treats a complete diet?
No. Homemade treats are extras and should not replace complete and balanced food. WSAVA recommends keeping treats below 10% of daily calories.
