How to Make Dog Treats

Like humans, canines too wouldn't mind having some delicious treats once in a while! Similar to other dog food, these treats are specifically made for the consumption by dogs, and they include all the necessary nutrients required for canine health. These dog treats are usually sweet and sugar coated to make them tasty for your dog's taste buds, so that he keeps coming back for more. Other than being used as bribes to train them, dog treats are also used to show your love, appreciation, and as an award to your pet dog. These dog treats are made in the form of bars or biscuits which are usually bone shaped as dogs love feasting on yummy bones! Making them at home can be an absolutely fun activity for both you and your kids. So read on to find out how to make dog treats in simple ways!

How to Make Dog Treats at Home

Dog treats can be made in various shapes and sizes, and by using healthy ingredients in them, their quality too can be controlled by you. Many a time, it so happens that there are large quantities of harmful and allergic ingredients in commercial dog treats. But if you prepare these dog training treats at home, you are aware of these ingredients and you can make the treats healthy according to your dog's needs.

Before we start with the process on how to make dog treats, I would like to brief you with some ingredients which should be minimally used in dog food. These are; onions, raisins, garlic, artificial sweeteners, flavoring agents and colors, and any other allergic ingredients. However, these homemade dog treats can be made from meat, organic flour and sugar free sweeteners as well!

Cinnamon and Apple Cookies
Ingredients

• 1 large apple
• 1½ cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup of water
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup oatmeal

Directions

To start with how to make dog treats from scratch, you will have to first cut the apple and then mince it in a blender, to get a paste. Then add the apple, water, cinnamon, honey and oatmeal to a large mixing bowl and mix it well with a wooden spoon. Then add the organic wheat flour, which can be used in organic dog treat recipes, in this paste, to make it into a dough. You can first mix it with a spoon and then when it is thick enough, knead it with your fingers, as the ingredients have to blend in together. Roll out the dough to make a flat surface and with a cookie cutter, cut the shapes. In a baking dish, place un-greased baking sheets and sprinkle some flour on them, and place the cookies on the sheet. Bake them for about 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F, remove them and cool overnight!

Meatball Treats
Ingredients

• ½ lb ground beef
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1 finely grated carrot
• ½ cup bread crumbs (whole wheat)
• 1 beaten egg
• 2 tablespoons grated cheese

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the above mentioned ingredients and mix them thoroughly. Make the meatballs and place them on the baking sheet which is greased with cooking spray. Place the tray in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees F, till they are brown and firm. Remove them and cool, store them in the refrigerator if possible. This is how to make easy dog treats in a matter of few minutes! If not meatballs, these ingredients can also be used in dog biscuit recipes!

Peanut Butter Treats
Ingredients

• 1¼ cup flour
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons of peanut butter

Directions

As always, add all the above mentioned ingredients, except the flour in a large mixing bowl, and blend it well. Then add the flour and mix it till it is kneaded into a soft dough. Roll it and cut out cookies, place them on a greased baking sheet and bake them for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Cool these healthy homemade dog treats and refrigerate them for you little dogie!

With these easy tips on how to make dog treats, hope you found these recipes simple and useful. So, give your pet dog a yummy treat and let him enjoy the perfect, "dog's life"!