Making treats at home is one of those things that sounds like a lot of effort, until you do it once and realise it takes about 20 minutes and your dog loses their mind with happiness. No fancy ingredients. No equipment you don't already have. Just good stuff.
Here are five tried-and-tested recipes that are genuinely easy, genuinely dog-safe, and genuinely delicious (dog-approved, not human-approved, though one of us may have tried the peanut butter ones).
A Quick Note on Safe Ingredients
Before we dive in: always double-check any ingredient before feeding to your dog. The big ones to avoid in dog treats are xylitol (in some peanut butters), grapes, raisins, chocolate, onion and macadamia nuts. When in doubt, leave it out.
Recipe 1: Peanut Butter & Banana Bites
What you need: 1 ripe banana, 2 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free), 150g oat flour (or blended oats)
Method: Mash the banana, mix in peanut butter, stir in flour until you have a dough. Roll out, cut into shapes (or just blobs your dog doesn't care), bake at 180°C for 12–15 minutes until golden. Cool completely before serving.
Makes: About 20 small treats. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Recipe 2: Sweet Potato Chews
What you need: 1 large sweet potato
Method: Wash and slice sweet potato into 1cm rounds. Lay on a baking tray and bake at 150°C for 2–3 hours until dried and chewy. That's it. Genuinely.
Why dogs love it: Naturally sweet, chewy texture, packed with fibre and vitamins. A brilliant single-ingredient treat.
Recipe 3: Chicken & Parsley Biscuits
What you need: 200g cooked chicken (shredded), 1 egg, 100g wholemeal flour, 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Method: Mix everything together. Roll out on a floured surface, cut into small biscuits, bake at 180°C for 20 minutes. Cool completely.
Bonus: Parsley is great for dog breath. Win-win.
Recipe 4: Frozen Yoghurt Drops
What you need: Plain Greek yoghurt (no xylitol), mashed banana or blueberries (optional)
Method: Mix yoghurt with fruit if using. Pipe or spoon into small drops onto a lined tray. Freeze for at least 2 hours. Serve straight from frozen, perfect for warm days.
Great for: Hot spring/summer days, puppies teething, dogs who need to slow down at mealtimes.
Recipe 5: Carrot & Apple Crunchies
What you need: 1 grated carrot, 1 grated apple (no seeds), 1 egg, 150g oat flour
Method: Mix grated carrot and apple, add egg, stir in flour. Roll into small balls, flatten slightly, bake at 180°C for 18–20 minutes. Cool before serving.
Why we love this one: Carrots are brilliant for dog teeth and digestion. Apples add natural sweetness. It's basically a health treat in disguise.
The Rule With All Homemade Treats
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. These recipes are wholesome, but they're treats, not a meal replacement. And always introduce new foods gradually, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Tried one of these recipes? Share a pic in the comments. We want to see the happy faces.
