Dogs love treats. They wag their tails and are always happy to get their teeth on them. However, not all dog treats are created equal. Some have unhealthy ingredients that can be harmful to dogs’ health. If you have a picky eater dog or want to make sure your furry friend is eating something healthy, making homemade soft dog treats might be the perfect solution. They are easy to make and affordable, and your picky pup will love them. In this article, we have collected 11 easy and healthy homemade soft dog treats recipes that your dog is sure to enjoy.
The Benefits of Homemade Soft Dog Treats
There are many benefits to making your dog treats, especially when it comes to soft treats. Soft treats are ideal for dogs with dental issues, as they need less chewing and are easier to swallow. They can also serve as a great alternative for picky eaters who are not fond of crunchy treats. Additionally, making homemade soft dog treats ensures the ingredients used are all-natural and healthy. Store-bought treats may contain harmful ingredients, such as preservatives and chemicals. There is the list of benefits of homemade soft dog treats include:
– Better nutritional values
– No harmful preservatives or additives
– Tailor-made for your dog’s needs or preferences
– Affordability
– Transparency in knowing what goes into the dog treats
Preparing to Make Homemade Soft Dog Treats
Before getting started, you must have everything you need to make the treats. You will need measuring cups for the dry ingredients, mixing bowls, a blender or food processor, and a durable mixer to mix the dough. Make sure to clean all equipment thoroughly before using them.
Picking the right ingredients for your homemade dog treats is important. Some of the most common ingredients used for soft dog treats are peanut butter, pumpkin, chicken, salmon, sweet potato, carrots, yogurt, and cheese. It’s important to choose ingredients that are safe for dogs to eat and are full of healthy stuff like vitamins, protein, fiber, and minerals. Look for whole foods that are not too fatty and have fewer calories. This makes sure your dog treats are nutritious and good for your dog’s health.
Healthy Homemade Dog Treats Recipes
Once you have completed all your equipment and ingredients, it’s time to start making your homemade soft dog treats. Here are 11 healthy recipes for homemade soft dog treats that your dog will love.
Recipe 1: Peanut Butter and Banana Treats
Ingredients:
– 2 overripe bananas
– 1 cup of natural peanut butter (without Xylitol or other artificial sweeteners)
– 1 tablespoon of honey
– 1 ½ cups of whole wheat flour
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until they form a smooth and lump-free texture.
3. Add in the peanut butter, honey, and whole wheat flour and mix well.
4. Roll out the dough into bite-sized treats.
5. Bake on a cookie sheet for 15-18 minutes, until they become golden brown.
6. Let the treats cool completely before serving them to your dog.
Recipe 2 – Pumpkin Oat Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of canned pureed pumpkin (not pie filling)
– ½ cup of rolled oats
– ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce
– 1 egg
– ½ cup of whole wheat flour
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. Mix pumpkin, applesauce, and egg in a mixing bowl.
3. Add in oats and whole wheat flour and mix well.
4. Roll out the dough into bite-sized treats.
5. Place on a baking sheet and cook for 25 minutes.
6. Let the treats cool completely before serving them to your dog.
Recipe 3 – Chicken and Sweet Potato Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast
– 1 medium-sized sweet potato
– 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
– 1 ½ cups of almond flour
– 1 egg
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. Cook chicken breasts thoroughly on the stove
3. Boil, peel, and mash sweet potato. Set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, mix almond flour and coconut oil
5. Once the chicken has cooled, shred it and mix it in with the sweet potato mash.
6. Mix chicken and sweet potato with almond flour mixture. Add eggs and stir well.
7. Roll out the dough into bite-sized treats.
8. Bake on a baking sheet for around 15 minutes
9. Keep the treats cool completely before serving your dog.
Recipe 4 – Carrot and Apple Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce
– 1 cup of grated carrots
– 1 cup of rolled oats
– 1 ½ cups of whole wheat flour
– 2 tablespoons of honey
– 1 egg
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. In a mixing bowl, mix applesauce, honey, and egg
3. Add grated carrots, whole wheat flour, and rolled oats and mix well until blended.
4. Roll out dough into bite-sized treats.
5. Place on a baking sheet and cook for 25 minutes.
6. Let the treats cool completely before serving them to your dog.
Recipe 5 – Blueberry Almond Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 ½ cups of almond flour
– ½ cup of natural almond butter
– ½ cup of blueberries (both fresh and frozen work)
– 1 egg
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. Mix the almond flour and almond butter.
3. Mix the egg well until the dough becomes wet.
4. Add in the blueberries and mix until the blueberries are well-distributed throughout the dough
5. Roll out pieces of the dough into bite-sized treats.
6. Lay on a baking sheet and cook for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Allow the treats to cool completely before serving your dog.
Recipe 6 – Salmon and Quinoa Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 can of salmon
– 2 cups of cooked quinoa
– 1 egg
– 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. Drain the can of salmon and finely flake up into a bowl.
3. Add in cooked quinoa, egg, and parsley, and mix until well combined.
4. Roll out the dough into bite-sized cookies.
5. Place on a baking sheet and cook for about 25 minutes.
6. Allow the treats to cool completely before serving your dog.
Recipe 7 – Spinach and Parsley Soft Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of spinach (chopped)
– 1 cup of fresh parsley
– 1 ½ cups of oat flour
– 1 egg
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. Mix spinach and parsley in a blender or food processor.
3. Add oat flour and egg to create the dough
4. Roll out the dough into bite-sized cookies
5. Place on a baking sheet and cook for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Allow the treats to cool completely before serving your dog.
Recipe 8 – Cheese and Zucchini Bites Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– 2 cups of grated zucchini
– 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
– 2 cups of whole wheat flour
– 1 egg
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. In a mixing bowl, mix zucchini and cheddar cheese
3. Add in flour and egg
4. Mix well until it becomes doughy
5. Roll out the dough into bite-sized treats.
6. Place on a baking sheet and cook for around 25 minutes.
7. Allow the treats to cool entirely before serving your dog.
Recipe 9 – Turkey Jerky Treats for Dogs
Ingredients:
– 1 pound of boneless, skinless turkey thighs
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 200°F (100°C)
2. Cut the turkey thighs into slices
3. Season the turkey strips with cinnamon and olive oil
4. Place seasoned pieces on a wire baking rack or a wax coated paper on a baking sheet
5. Bake in the oven for about 4 hours until the strips have dried out and become chewy.
6. Allow the treats to cool before serving them to your dog
Recipe 10 – Beef and Carrot Dog Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 pound of beef (sirloin or flank steak)
– 2 large carrots peeled and thinly sliced
– 1 tablespoon of olive oil
– 1 tablespoon of water
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C)
2. Cut the beef into strips.
3. To make the marinade, whisk together the olive oil and water in a small bowl.
4. Dip the beef and carrot slices into the marinade and coat well.
5. Place on a wire baking rack or wax-coated paper on a baking sheet.
6. Bake in the oven for around 2 hours, until the strips have dried out and become tough.
7. Allow the treats to cool entirely before serving your dog.
Recipe 11 – Veggie and Fruit Dog Chews
Ingredients:
– 1 medium-sized sweet potato
– 1 medium-sized carrot
– 1 medium-sized apple
– 1 medium-sized pear
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 200°F (100°C)
2. Clean, peel and cut all the fruits and vegetables into thin slices.
3. Place the slices on a wire baking rack or wax-coated paper on a baking sheet to avoid overcooking.
4. Bake in the oven for about 4 hours until they are dried out and become chewy.
5. Allow the treats to cool entirely before serving your dog.
Tips for Introducing New Soft Dog Treats
Getting dogs to accept a new type of treat can be challenging. Here are a few tips to help your dog appreciate the new homemade soft treats:
1. Introduce the treat slowly. Your dog may need time to change to the new flavors and textures.
2. Always supervise your dogs while they are having the new treats.
3. Use the treats as part of positive reinforcement, keep the treats as a reward for good behavior.
4. Always ensure the dogs have plenty of clean water available after having a treat.
If you want more dog treat recipes, make sure to take a look at our list of 30 Simple Dog Treat Recipes: Easy Made And Quick
Conclusion
Eating healthy, delicious treats is an essential part of every dog’s diet. However, with so many processed and unhealthy treats available in stores, it can be tough to know where to turn. Fortunately, it’s easy to make soft dog treats that your furry friend will love. The 11 soft dog treats recipes we have provided are easy to make, nutritious, and perfect for picky eaters. Homemade soft dog treats guarantee your dog is eating all-natural and healthy ingredients. So what are you waiting for? Try out these healthy and delicious recipes and see how your four-legged friend loves them!
