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The Best Homemade Dog Treats Recipe [Vet Approved]

Have you ever made homemade dog treats before?

If not, it’s time to try!

This recipe for homemade dog treats is easy to make and requires just a few ingredients.

What does it mean when I say even vets approve of this delicious recipe?

This recipe is approved by vets and the ingredients are not known to be major allergy causes for dogs and they’re biologically appropriate as well as being well accepted by most dogs.

We steer clear of a list of common allergens that commercial dog foods or treats have, so if your pup has any food allergies this treat will be perfect for them.

We also avoided ingredients such as raw honey that diabetic dogs and puppies cannot enjoy.

Why make your own treats?

In order to provide the best possible dog care, it’s important that you know what your pup can and cannot eat.

One way of making sure what goes into your dog’s food is by making homemade dog treats.

So, allergies are not the only reason to make dog treats yourself, it’s the fact that unnatural ingredients are used far too often.

Furthermore, you can easily leave out your dog’s less desired ingredients and go big on his favorites.

Also, have you seen the crazy prices they ask for treats sometimes? Make them yourself, it’s cheaper and better!

Woman holding a homemade dog treat.
Photo by Pawleaks

Can You Use Regular Flour for Dog Treats?

You can use regular flour for dog treats so you may ask yourself why this recipe uses almond flour instead.

The answer is simple.

While regular whole-wheat flour is the most popular option for dog treats, your dog may be gluten intolerant so it would be safer to choose a gluten-free flour.

We use almond flour instead of regular all-purpose, bread, or white flour because it is gluten-free, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in protein than other types of flour.

Almond flour provides a more nutritious and healthy alternative to regular flour for those with food allergies or who want to provide their dog with the best possible treat on any occasion.

It’s also cholesterol-free which is great if your dog suffers from diseases such as hyperlipidemia.

How Do You Make Homemade Dog Treats?

Homemade dog treats are super easy to make! For this recipe, you’ll only need 6 ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 tbsp almond butter
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Oats: Make sure that the oats you are using are unflavored and have nothing added to them.

Raspberries: You can use fresh or frozen berries and if your dog doesn’t enjoy raspberries, you can also substitute them with strawberries or blueberries.

Almond butter: As some dogs are allergic to peanuts, I have created this recipe with almond butter but you can use other types of nut butter like cashew or hazelnut butter.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Use a large bowl to add all the ingredients listed above except the raspberries and mix well.

If the dough is too dry add shucks of water gradually until you can knead it into a sticky ball.

About 1/8 cup should be fine for every interval.

Finally, gently fold in the raspberries.

If you use frozen ones, break them into smaller pieces and add them to the dough.

Fresh raspberries are usually soft enough and break apart on their own, but you can roughly cut them beforehand if you like.

Remove the dough from the bowl and roll it out on a floured surface.

Placing a sheet between the flour and the rolling pin will make it much easier and keeps the dough from tearing.

Using your desired cookie cutter forms, cut out the treats and place them on the baking sheet.

You won’t need much space between them but don’t go too small or else they will stick together.

Bake the treats for 17-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown on the edges.

Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Your dog will already be circling around the kitchen due to that tasty smell.

Homemade dog treats vet-approved.

The Best Homemade Dog Treats Recipe (Vet Approved)

Yield: 40
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

The best homemade dog treats recipe that even total beginners can make at home. It's vet-approved and super easy to make with only 6 ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 tbsp almond butter
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. To a large bowl add all the ingredients listed above except the raspberries.
  3. If the dough is too dry add shucks of water gradually until you can knead it into a sticky ball.
  4. Gently fold in the raspberries. If you use frozen ones, break them into smaller pieces and add them to the dough.
  5. Remove dough from the bowl and roll it out on a floured surface. Using your desired cookie cutter forms, cut out the treats and place them on the baking sheet.
  6. Bake the treats for 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown on the edges.

Notes

Oats: Make sure that the oats you are using are unflavored and have nothing added to them.

Raspberries: You can use fresh or frozen berries and if your dog doesn't enjoy raspberries, you can also substitute them with strawberries or blueberries.

Almond butter: As some dogs are allergic to peanuts, I have created this recipe with almond butter but you can use other types of nut butter like cashew or hazelnut butter.

Storage: Leftover treats can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.

Freeze: Individual treats can be wrapped in parchment paper and placed into a ziplock bag. They can be frozen for up to 6 months.

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Did you make this recipe?

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Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet.

About Danielle

Equipped with 5+ years of expertise as a Rottweiler owner, I partner with licensed veterinarians and trainers to share research-backed and actionable advice for you and your furry friend.

Marla

Tuesday 13th of December 2022

Made exactly. My dog would not eat them.

Danielle

Wednesday 14th of December 2022

Hi Maria, every dog has a different taste but perhaps your dog would be inclined to eat it if you mix in something he already loves? Sometimes the texture, size, or smell is just weird to dogs who haven't eaten something like that before.

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