Vet-Approved Homemade Dog and Cat Treats

Making your dog’s and cat’s treats at home is a great way to control what ingredients go into them and is much more affordable than most high-quality commercial brands. Follow the easy (and veterinarian-approved) recipes below for all-natural, homemade dog and cat treats your pets will beg for! 

 

All-Natural Peanut Butter Homemade Dog Treats

If you’re looking for a vet-approved homemade dog treats recipe, this one contains protein (peanut butter and eggs) and pumpkin - all healthy ingredients for dogs. Before you start, choosing the right peanut butter for your dog is very important. Choose a no-sugar peanut butter, ensuring that it does not contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic for dogs. You will also want to double-check that you are buying pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix). Refrigerate or freeze, if desired.

Ingredients

2/3 cup canned pure pumpkin

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

2 large eggs

3 cups whole wheat flour

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Mix pumpkin, peanut butter, and eggs with an electric mixer on medium/high until well blended.
  3. Gradually add flour, a little at a time, mixing at low speed (do not overmix). Mix until the dough becomes smooth and is no longer sticky.
  4. Lightly flour a cutting board or flat surface and knead the dough. Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper, and roll it out with a rolling pin until ¼ inch thick. 
  5. Using cookie cutters of your choice, cut them into shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake in the oven until golden brown (should look like cookies) about 20-25 minutes.

 

All-Natural Cat Jerky Treats

We can’t forget our kitty friends, so if you’re looking for a recipe for all-natural cat treats, this is one that kitties love. While peanut butter is not a safe bet for cats, this low-carb, high-protein recipe contains only ONE ingredient (tuna or chicken). Cat jerky treats contain no preservatives, so remember to store them in your refrigerator or freezer, where they will stay fresh for weeks. 

 

Ingredients

1 pound raw tuna or other non-flaky fish, or plain skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" cubes

Cooking spray (for baking sheet)

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat a conventional oven to 200° F.
  2. Cut the 1” cubes in half and place in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
  3. Bake in a 200F oven for 1-2  hours, checking in 30-minute increments until dry with the consistency of jerky.
  4. Turn the jerky treats halfway through to be sure that each side gets equally dried.