Homemade treats matter because they let you control every ingredient while keeping snacks fresh, simple, and tailored to your dog’s needs. Whether you want healthier options, budget-friendly alternatives, or more enriching reward routines, making treats at home creates safer, more satisfying moments for both of you.

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Our Top 10 tips for homemade dog treats

Fresh Biscuits – Combine wholemeal flour, oats, a beaten egg, and a little low-salt stock, mixing until dough forms. Roll and cut shapes, then bake until firm. Avoid sugars or flavourings and never add chocolate.

Peanut Butter Drops – Mash a ripe banana with xylitol-free peanut butter and a handful of oats, then spoon small dollops onto a tray. Chill until set for soft, chewy bites. Do not use peanut butter with artifical sweeteners.

Chicken Training Cubes – Shred cooked, unseasoned chicken breast and mix with rice flour and a splash of water until it binds. Press into a tray, bake lightly, and cut into small cubes. Ensure the chicken is fully cooled.

Frozen Berry Yoghurt – Blend plain yoghurt with blueberries or strawberries, pour into moulds, and freeze until solid. Stick to yoghurt with no sweeteners or flavouring and avoid grapes or raisins entirely.

Pumpkin Oat Squares – Mix cooked pumpkin with oat flour until thick, spread into a shallow tin, and bake until set. Slice into small squares once cooled. Do not use pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices.

Apple Crisps – Slice apples thinly, removing all seeds, and dehydrate in the oven at low heat until crisp. Keep slices plain with no sugar or spices, and store them in airtight containers.

Sweet Potato Chews – Cut sweet potato into long strips and bake slowly until leathery and pliable. They should not be brittle or hard enough to splinter. Keep them plain with no oil or seasoning, and allow full cooling before storing to prevent moisture build-up.

Sardine Bites – Mix tinned sardines in water with an egg and a spoon of brown rice flour to form a batter, spread thinly, and bake until firm. Cut into squares once cooled. Only use sardines in water, not oil or brine. The mild scent helps with training motivation.

Carrot Soft Cookies – Blend cooked carrots with a little coconut oil and oat flour, spoon onto a tray, and bake until gently set. Keep cookies soft to prevent crumbling. Check that the coconut oil is unsweetened and avoid any spices commonly used in human baking.

Herb Breath Crackers – Combine chopped parsley and mint with wholemeal flour and water until dough-like, roll thin, cut shapes, and bake until crisp. These simple crackers help freshen breath naturally. Stick to these two herbs only; avoid rosemary or strong herbs not suited to dogs.

From the experts – Keep treats completely plain unless an ingredient is confirmed dog-safe. Many everyday seasonings, sweeteners, and oils are unsafe in even tiny amounts, so sticking to basic whole foods ensures predictability and long-term safety for your dog. Storing homemade treats correctly keeps them appealing without risking spoilage. Moist treats should be refrigerated or frozen, and crisp treats should always cool fully before storage. Dogs often prefer scent-forward treats, which naturally develop after a day of resting.

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