Sweets for
your pooch
Humans aren't the only ones who need a treat every now and then. Instead of buying the same old dry treats for your dog, bake up some fun and exciting treats that look so good, you'll want to try them yourself.
What to avoid
Dog tummies can be sensitive. Some ingredients can make dogs sick, so you should avoid them when making dog treats at home:
- Dairy products
- Chocolate
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners
- Salt
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Raisins and grapes
- Nuts
- Liver
Allergy-inducing ingredients
Just like humans, dogs can have allergies to foods. If you suspect an allergy but can't identify its trigger, take your dog to the vet to figure it out.
Common allergens in dogs include:
- Wheat
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Soy
- Dairy
- Corn
- Beef
Size matters
Prepare treats that are appropriate for the size of your dog . If you make larger treats, break them in pieces for small dogs.
![peanut butter]()
Play favorites
Play favoritesDogs have likes and dislikes just as we do, so let your dog sample a few ingredients you might use in your homemade dog treats to make sure they like them. Favorite foods of dogs include peanut butter, liver , salmon and pumpkin.
Fats, sugars & salts
To prevent your dog from gaining weight or having blood pressure problems, don't use too much sugar, salt or fat when making treats. Remember that sugar and artificial sweeteners also can cause tooth decay. Dogs don't have taste buds like ours, anyway, so they don't need salt or sugar to enjoy their food.
Up next: Dog-friendly recipes >>
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Sweets for your pooch
Humans aren't the only ones who need a treat every now and then. Instead of buying the same old dry treats for your dog, bake up some fun and exciting treats that look so good, you'll want to try them yourself.
Pumpkin biscuits
Makes 12 to 24 biscuits
Ingredients:
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup dry old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup powdered milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Combine pumpkin, oats, milk and cinnamon. Spoon batter onto baking sheets in small mounds.
- Bake biscuits for 10 to 15 minutes or until baked through. Let cool, then remove from tray.
Peanut butter balls
Makes 12 to 12 balls
Ingredients:
- 3 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Beat flour with peanut butter, honey, water and oil. Roll batter into balls and place on baking sheets.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until balls are baked through.
Bacon biscuits
Makes 12 to 24 biscuits
Ingredients:
- 6 slices turkey bacon
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup powdered milk
- Bacon grease from cooked bacon
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped parsley
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Combine bacon, eggs, flour, powdered milk, bacon grease, water and parsley. Mix well.
- Spoon mixture onto baking sheets and flatten.
- Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until baked through. Let cool before removing from pans.
More food tips for your pup
5 Things making your dog fat
Top 5 Healthy treats for pets
Keep your pooch from getting plump