Love making homemade cookies and treats? Why leave your pets out when you decide to go whip up goodies in the kitchen? With these homemade recipes for pets both cats and dogs can enjoy, you are sure to find some favorites in our list of ideas. Sugar free, grain free and gluten free options for special diets, high protein and peanut butter munchies, healthy treats for older dogs, catnip treats, organic recipes and more. When you aim to please your special pet, you will absolutely want to try out some the these delicious recipe ideas.
1. Grain Free Sweet Potato Dog Treats
thehealthymaven
Make your dog’s day by baking some Grain Free Sweet Potato Dog Treats. Sweet potato is a natural source of sugar in dog treats and has plenty of health benefits. They would make great training treats because they are low in calories. I can’t wait to make these for my little fur baby.
2. Homemade Flea Prevention Dog Treats
healthstartsinthekitchen
These homemade flea prevention dog treats can help keep these annoying parasites off of your canine companion and out of your home. By combining coconut oil and brewers yeast, Health Starts In The Kitchen has created the perfect anti-flea treats.
3. Apple and Peanut Butter Pupcakes
sugarandsoul
Is your dog’s birthday coming up? Surprise him with this cute little treat from Sugar and Soul. It’s a homemade treat that’s really great since apples and peanut butter are also crazy good for their health. They’re made with whole wheat flour, yogurt, apples, honey, and peanut butter.
4. Spinach, Carrot and Zucchini Dog Treats
damndelicious
Surprise your pup with these veggie-loaded treats. They are are nutritious, healthy and so easy to make. With the prices of store-bought treats reaching an all-time high, I am going to start making my own and I am going to start with this healthy recipe for my pup.
5. DIY Doggie Breath Mints
skinnyms
Our doggies can get bad breath too! Dogs can get bad breath from plaque build-up caused by infrequent brushing, insufficient water intake, or just from the foods they eat. This DIY Doggie Breath Mints will help get rid of your dog’s bad breath no matter the reason so snag the full recipe now from Skinny Ms.
6. Peanut Butter and Apple Sauce Cookies for Dogs
The Lazy Pit Bull
Five wholesome ingredients, only 25 minutes in the oven? Almost too good to be true. But this Peanut Butter and Apple Sauce Cookies recipe is truly healthy, wholesome, and easy to make homemade treats that’s perfect for your best dog bud.
7. Easy Crockpot Dog Food
damndelicious
If you didn’t know what your slow cooker is capable of, you’ll be very happy to know that you can now add dog food to the crockpot list. With just a few veggie ingredients you can easily replicate this recipe from Damn Delicious.
8. Frosty Watermelon Dog Treat Recipe
petguide
These watermelon dog treats will give you all the summer feels not to mention cool your already cool dog down. Not all human foods, including fruits, are appropriate and safe for dogs to consume, but watermelon is one that is certainly a nice treat that you can give your dog every now and then, especially during the hot summer months.
9. Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe
petguide
Keep your dogs cool and happy with this Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treat from Pet Guide. Pumpkin can help balance a canine’s digestive system. It is an excellent source of natural fiber, so it could help keep your dog more regular if he is dealing with constipation.
10. Mini Omelettes for Dogs
pawsh-magazine
Eggs are a great source of protein and can help an upset stomach. However, eating raw egg whites can give dogs biotin deficiency, so be sure to cook the eggs all the way through before giving them to your pet. So follow along with the recipe from Pawsh Magazine to learn more.
11. DIY Slow Cooker Dog Food
pearlsandsportsbras
12. Bacon Cheddar Homemade Dog Treats
munchkinsandmilitary
13. Carrot and Banana Natural Dog Treat
17apart
14. Healthy Homemade Dehydrated Dog Treats
jeanetteshealthyliving
15. Oatmeal Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats Recipe
missmollysays
16. No Flea Dog Biscuits
bakeatmidnite
17. Frozen Pupcakes
lolathepitty
18. Sweet Potato and Apple Pupcakes
thespeckledpalate
19. Doggie Green Bean Crunchies
skinnyms
20. Healthy and Homemade Woof Loaf
popsugar
21. Catnip Cat Treats Recipe
messforless
22. Easy Homemade Cat Treats
dukesandduch*esses
23. Crunchy Tuna Cat Treats
evermine
24. Homemade Organic Spinach and Chicken Cat Treats
popsugar
25. 3-Ingredient Salmon Cat Treats
thecookierookie
26. Homemade Salmon Oat Cat Treats
joythebaker
27. Tuna and Catnip Cat Treat Croutons
thecookierookie
28. Goat Milk Catsicle
catster
29. Tuna and Cheddar Cat Crisps
adventures-in-cooking
30. Kitty Delight Homemade Cat Treats
serendipityandspice
31. DIY Salmon Crunchies Cat Treats
mywoodenspoon
32. Pet-Approved Recipe for Cats
amybites
33. Homemade Healthy Cat Treats
wellnessmama
34. Homemade Chicken & Cranberry Cat Treats
girlichef
35. Chewy Cat Treats
joythebaker
36. DIY Frozen Apple Dog Treats
popsugar
37. Chicken Sweet Potato Dog Treats Recipe
userealbutter
FAQs
Nutritional Balance
Without the proper guidance, homemade pet food may lead to nutrient deficiencies or excesses that could negatively impact your pets' health. This is why AAFCO-compliant pet food is more generally recommended to dog parents and cat parents.
What should be the main ingredient in homemade dog food? ›
WHAT IS THE RATIO FOR HOMEMADE DOG FOOD? Dogs are obligate carnivores, so their diet should mainly consist of meats and protein. A good recommendation is 80% meat, 10% vegetable, and 10% Know Better Pet Food Premix.
What not to put in homemade dog food? ›
Don't use toxic ingredients, including xylitol, onions, garlic, chocolate and raisins, says Dr. Jeffrey, whose professional focus includes preventative care. If you're planning to make homemade peanut butter dog treats, read the label carefully.
How many cups of homemade dog food should I feed my dog? ›
For every 10 lbs, you need roughly 1/2 cup of food per meal. Example: If you have a 20 lb dog, they will eat 1-1.5 cups of the batch per meal (2-3 cups total per day). Rascal weighs 70 pounds and eats about 3-3.5 cups per meal (7 cups total per day).
What should be the number one ingredient in dog food? ›
The best dog foods will always have meat as the top ingredient, and you should look for recipes that emphasize real animal proteins, rather than just meat meals.
Do dogs live longer with homemade dog food? ›
A similar research conducted by Belgium scientists, titled “Relation Between the Domestic Dogs: Well-Being and Life Expectancy, A Statistical Essay,” revealed that dogs who had a high-quality, homemade diet (not table scraps or industrial, commercial pet food) extended their life expectancy by 32 months.
What three ingredients should not be in dog food? ›
To help you with this, we have listed ten ingredients to avoid in dog food.
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) First on our list is butylated hydroxyanisole, also known as BHA. ...
- White Flour. ...
- Meat Meal. ...
- Artificial Food Coloring. ...
- Corn Syrup. ...
- Rendered Fat. ...
- Vegetable Oil. ...
- Farmed Salmon.
7 Foods to Cook For Your Dog
- Chicken. Cooked chicken is a good source of protein for dogs. ...
- Lean Ground Turkey. Lean ground turkey is a safe food to cook for your dog. ...
- Eggs. Cooked eggs are a safe, healthy food with lots of minerals and vitamins. ...
- Raw or Steamed Vegetables. ...
- Fresh Fruits. ...
- Boiled Potatoes. ...
- Peanut Butter. ...
- Yogurt.
Chicken and rice isn't meant to be given as an everyday dog food, nor is it suitable to be used in place of regular dog treats. It's simply a short-term bland diet option intended for a sick dog.
What is a good filler for homemade dog food? ›
By adding calories in the form of barley, cornmeal, oats, rice, macaroni to homemade diets, more pet parents can afford to feed their dogs a food that is superior to regular, commercial dog food.
Whether your dog has special dietary needs or you love to cook, consider making homemade dog food. While cooking your pet food will require extra prep time, it's entirely possible to ditch the kibble for homemade food.
Is making your own dog food worth it? ›
“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.
Can dogs eat canned tuna? ›
Can dogs have tuna? Yes, you can feed your dog canned tuna, as long as you do so in moderation and infrequently. Choose the version that's packed in fresh water instead of oil or salted water. Also check the label to make sure there is no extra salt added to the canned tuna.
What is the best meat for dogs? ›
Chicken, turkey, lean ground beef, and chuck steak or roast are animal-based proteins, which help dogs grow strong. A few rules apply: Always cook meat well. Never serve it raw or undercooked.
Can I feed my dog ground beef and rice everyday? ›
Feed the Appropriate Amount
Cooked lean meats are good options as treats or food toppers for your dog. If feeding ground beef as a treat, limit the total amount to no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. Ground beef and plain white rice could be an option for dogs who need to eat a bland diet temporarily.
Is it healthy to feed dogs homemade dog food? ›
“Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist,” Larsen said.
What is the vet approved ratio for homemade dog food? ›
A good recommendation is 40% protein, 50% vegetables and 10% starch. Some dogs cannot handle high amounts of protein, though, so it is important to visit your vet to determine the best ratio to suit their dietary needs.
What's missing from homemade dog food? ›
Many dog food recipes fall short in certain nutrients, especially iron, copper, calcium, and zinc. Even some recipes created by veterinarians don't measure up.
Do veterinarians recommend farmer's dog food? ›
The Farmer's Dog food is backed by veterinary expertise and research, and is a safe, healthy way to feed your dog.
