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3 Ingredient Homemade Dog Treats

Cookie dough rolled out on counter surrounded by ingredients and baking tools, including a bone shaped cookie cutter.

My dog LOVES treats, but store-bought treats can get expensive and I am not always sure about some of the ingredients they contain. These recipes are a great way to learn how to make a dog treat using only 3 ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. You can also use these same recipes as a base to create a dog treat customized to your dog’s tastes.

Question 1. Are Homemade Dog Treats Safe?

As long as you’re avoiding foods that aren’t safe for your dogs like chocolate, avocados, grapes, and too much coconut – among others – then homemade dog treats are safe and can be more nutritious than those you find in the stores.

Special note: One of the ingredients right now that can sneak in and really cause harm is Xylitol, an alcohol sugar that’s finding its way into more and more human foods, but can cause liver failure in dogs. Peanut Butter is a big one that most dogs love but some brands use Xylitol so you will want to be sure to read all the labels on anything you plan to give your pup.

To help keep the experience of homemade dog treats safe for your pet, the ASPCA has an extensive list of unsafe food here.

Question 2.. How Long Can Homemade Dog Treats Last?

Glass jar of homemade dog treats on a white background

A good rule of thumb here is to treat homemade dog treats (like my pizza for dogs recipe) like you would human food.

Most of the time dog treats that you make yourself aren’t going to have the preservatives that the kind you buy at the store have. That means you’ll have to use them up more quickly, so it’s a good idea to keep the batches small. Treats can also be frozen to last longer.

If dog treats are meat based it’s also important that you refrigerate them – especially if they aren’t all eaten right away.

Generally speaking meat based dog treats will last 3 to 4 days – if refrigerated or dried (like jerky).

And other dog treats can last from 7 to 14 days.It’s good to remember the old rule “when in doubt throw it out”.

If you aren’t sure get rid of it. Now… it’s time for the main event! Our three dog treat recipes!

Chicken Nugget Dog Treats

Chicken nuggets on a white background

You can give your dog store bought chicken nuggets, but have you EVER looked at the ingredient list on those things?

They normally have all kinds of chemicals listed and that’s not very good for our pups.

This simple 3 ingredient boiled chicken dog treat is simple and wholesome and something my dogs go crazy for. And best of all? Not a single artificial ingredient in sight.

Ingredients:

  • ½ lb chicken breasts, cubed
  • ¾ cup water
  • 2 ¼ cup ground flax (substitute oat bran or rice bran if you wish)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In pot, boil chicken in water; reserve cooking water.
  2. Add cooked chicken and cooking water to your blender. Secure lid and blend into a batter-like consistency. Add ground flax and pulse until ingredients are incorporated.
  3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place on baking sheet. Use back of spoon dipped in water to slightly flatten balls. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.

Makes 30 treats. For smaller dogs, reduce ball size to ¼ or ½ inch and reduce cooking time by a few minutes. Will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

The recipe and instructions for this pawlicious treat were found at moderndogmagazine.com  

Homemade Chicken Dog Treats

Roasted chicken on platter resting on tablecloth covered table

These homemade chicken dog treats can be customized depending on the size of your dog or if you would like to control the portion they receive. Want to make them as a holiday gift for a special pup? Try using festive cookie cutters to jazz them up.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cup flour not white, but any other kind you want. I used whole wheat
  • 3 tbs oil
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth/stock

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  • Mix all ingredients in a bowl. You may have to add a bit more stock to get a rollable consistency.
  • Turn out on lightly floured surface and roll to 1/8-inch thickness.
  • Cut into desired shapes and place on prepared sheet.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes.
  • To dry out the biscuits for longer shelf life, turn off the oven but don’t remove the sheet of biscuits. Keep them in there until the oven completely cools.
  • I got 1 dozen medium (3-inch length) yield.

This pawesome recipe comes to us from The Midnight Baker.

Tuna Dog Treat Recipe

Chunks of tuna on a white background with a parsley garnish

Not all dogs like fish but my pup Chewy loves anything sea food so he particularly looks forward to this treat. And it’s really healthy for him to boot so I don’t mind giving him a little extra when I make these.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (3.5 oz.) tuna in water (do not drain)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups flour

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
  2. In a food processor, combine the tuna with its liquid and the eggs; pulse to blend. Add the flour and pulse until crumbly.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and press into an even layer.
  4. Bake until set, about 5 minutes.
  5. Let cool for 15 minutes, then cut into 3 dozen squares.
  6. Once the treats cool completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Shout out to Rachael Ray Magazine for this awesome recipe. 

Homemade Puppy Treats

Husky puppy giving high 5s

We can’t leave out the puppies. These easy homemade puppy treats will make a great reward while training or if they are just simply being a good fur baby.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups Oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 ripe banana

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Process the oatmeal into a fine flour and set aside in a clean bowl.
  3. In your food processor puree peanut butter and banana, until the banana is pureed. Stir in the oatmeal flour, reserving 2 tablespoons. Process until combines.
  4. Sprinkle your work surface and the top of the dough with oatmeal flour and roll out, roughly 1/4 of an inch thick. I used a small bone shaped cookie cutter. You can re-roll the dough as many times as you like. Use a fork and poke the middles of each bone.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes. I would recommend checking them at 10-12 minutes so they don’t get to dark. You want them dry and lightly golden. My puppy could not get enough!

A great big thank you to Crafty Morning for this easy puppy treat recipe.

DIY Beef Jerky Dog Treats

Beef jerky sticks on a white plate

Making these 3 ingredient DIY beef jerky dog treats is a breeze. You will need a food dehydrator for this recipe. If you don’t have one already, then I recommend shopping thrift stores, there are often food dehydrators sitting around for very good prices.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb of ground beef (preferably grass-fed) or lamb
  • 1/2 lb of ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 cup of beef liver (or chicken liver)

Instructions:

  1. Chop the liver into pieces and mix it in with the ground meat.
  2. Scoop the meat into a jerky gun and squeeze the meat mixture on the sheets of your dehydrator.
  3. Set the dehydrator at 165 degrees for about 3-4 hours, or until the meat is dry and crunchy.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a dehydrator.  You can also do this in the oven or if you own a Ninja Foodi some have a dehydrate option.

Oven Instructions:

  1. Preheat your over to 250 degrees.  Grease a baking sheet.
  2. Spread the mixture out on the baking sheet.  Bake for 4 to 6 hours, until dry.
  3. Let cool.  Turn out the dried mixture onto a cutting board.  Cut into strips.

Sometimes people ask me “is homemade jerky safe for dogs?” and the answer is a simple unequivocal yes.

It’s actually safer as long as you are following normal food safety standards. That’s because you’re in control of the ingredients and it doesn’t have spices or chemicals to irritate your pup’s stomachs.

These three-ingredient dog treats are fun to make, super wholesome, and fun for your dogs to chow down on. By making dog treats yourself, you can control what goes into them and help to keep your dog healthy and happy!

Thanks to pethelpful.com for publishing this tasty treat recipe. 

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Please note: These recipes are not meant to prevent, treat or cure any ailment or disease. We are not veterinarians and you use our recipes and advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your fur baby is facing. With that in mind, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives <3