Homemade Dog Treats & More – Easy Recipes for Pets

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Treat your furry friends to homemade delights with these homemade dog treats and other pet-friendly recipes. These treats are simple, nutritious, and easy to make using pantry-friendly ingredients. Whether you have a dog, cat, or small pet like a rabbit, these recipes are a fun way to keep things natural and healthy while celebrating Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just because!

Zoe, my inspiration for this post, is one of the sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet. She loves sunning herself so much on the patio that we call her our solar-powered pup! When we let her outside during the day, we say it’s time to recharge the puppy. We adopted her from a shelter, as we usually do, and she hasn’t met a person she didn’t like. She’s gentle with adults and kids alike, and this Valentine’s Day, I wanted to make her some special treats to show her how much she means to our family. While this post is mostly about dog treats, I’ve had many other pets over the years—cats, a bunny, even a few ferrets—so I love finding ways to make homemade treats for all kinds of furry friends.

There are so many wonderful pets in shelters who are just waiting for someone to love them. If you’re thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family, I hope you’ll consider adoption. You might just find your own solar-powered sweetheart!

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Dog & Pet Treats

• Healthier than store-bought – No artificial additives or preservatives.
• Budget-friendly – Uses common ingredients you likely already have.
• Fun and customizable – Make them festive with heart shapes and natural colors.
• Suitable for multiple pets – Options for dogs, cats, and small pets.

Common Pantry Ingredients for DIY Pet Treats

• For dogs & cats: Oats, peanut butter (xylitol-free), yogurt, pumpkin puree, eggs, and tuna.
• For small pets (rabbits & guinea pigs): Banana, carrots, parsley, rolled oats.
• Optional add-ins: Unsweetened coconut, cinnamon (for dogs), and dried herbs.

Homemade Dog Treats: Peanut Butter & Oat 🐶

My Experience Making These Dog Treats

This recipe turned out really great! I didn’t have oat flour, so I ground up rolled oats in my food processor. It worked well, even though it was a bit rougher than store-bought flour. My pup doesn’t like bananas and I had no applesauce on hand; so I used pumpkin puree instead of applesauce, and the results were fantastic!

Ingredients for Homemade Peanut Butter & Oat Dog Treats

• 1 cup oat flour (or blend rolled oats into flour with a blender or food processor)
• ½ cup unsweetened peanut butter (xylitol-free)
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana
• 1 egg (or 2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 5 tbsp water for egg-free option)

Instructions for Homemade Peanut Butter & Oat Dog Treats

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until a dough forms.
3. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into bone or heart shapes.
4. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes.
5. Let cool completely before serving.

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer freshness.

RELATED: While your pup enjoys a homemade snack, treat yourself to a glass of smooth, Southern sweet tea — it’s the perfect sip for porch weather.

DIY Pumpkin Dog Biscuits – Crunchy Treats for Your Pup 🐶

My Experience Making These Dog Treats

When I made these, the dough turned out wetter than I expected. I substituted extra pumpkin puree for applesauce and used baking flour instead of whole wheat, which I suspect made the difference. Whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid. I had to add nearly an extra cup of flour to get the right consistency. If you’re making substitutions, be prepared to adjust the flour as needed! Be sure to check out the Variations & Substitutions section below for more tips on ingredient swaps. If you’re using cookie cutters, I recommend having a bowl of flour to dip the cutter in between each cut so it won’t stick to the dough. This recipe might work best to just roll into small balls and flatten them on the baking sheet.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Dog Treats

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour for gluten-free option)
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 1 egg

Instructions for Pumpkin Dog Treats

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix all ingredients into a dough.
3. Roll out and cut into squares.
4. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
5. Let cool before serving.

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Bites (for Dogs & Cats) 🐾

My Experience Making These Treats

I mixed frozen strawberries (picked ripe from the local strawberry farm over the summer), plain Greek yogurt, and honey in a small food processor and then spooned the mixture into a heart shaped mold that I had. This mold is metal, and I have to say that it made it difficult getting the treats out. I had to let them sit for bit to warm up and start to melt so they would loosen from the mold. Then I used the tip of a paring knife to pop them out. I highly recommend using a silicone mold or an ice cube tray where you can just pop out the treats easily. Then I just put them in a container and stuck them back in the freezer. Well, after Zoe had a few. I gave her one while she was lounging on the sofa, and she immediately jumped off the sofa to follow me into the kitchen for more. I’d say this recipe is a winner!

Ingredients for Strawberry Yogurt Bites

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for dairy-free)
• ¼ cup mashed strawberries (or unsweetened puree)
• 1 tsp honey (optional, omit for cats)

Instructions for Strawberry Yogurt Bites

1. Blend all ingredients together.
2. Pour mixture into silicone molds or ice cube trays.
3. Freeze for at least 2 hours or until solid.
4. Pop out and serve as a cool treat.

Storage: Keep frozen and serve as needed.

Haven’t Tested These… Help Me Out!

While I made and tested the dog treats in this post, I also wanted to include some homemade treat ideas for rabbits and cats. These recipes are based on pet-safe ingredients, but since I didn’t have a bunny or cat taste-tester on hand this time, I’d love to hear your feedback! If you try them, let me know in the comments or share a picture—I’d love to know how your pets like them!

DIY Catnip Treats (For Cats) 🐱

Ingredients for Catnip Treats

• ¾ cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour for gluten-free)
• ¼ cup cooked salmon or tuna, mashed
• 1 tbsp dried catnip
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp water (if needed)

Instructions for Catnip Treats

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until dough forms.
3. Roll out and cut into tiny heart shapes for a festive touch or cut into simple squares for an everyday snack.
4. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.
5. Let cool completely before serving.

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Bunny-Friendly Treats (For Rabbits & Guinea Pigs) 🐰

Ingredients for Bunny-Friendly Treats

• ½ cup mashed banana or pumpkin
• ½ cup ground hay pellets or rolled oats
• ¼ cup finely grated carrots or apples
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions for Bunny-Friendly Treats

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Mix ingredients into a dough-like consistency.
3. Shape into bite-sized pieces.
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until firm.
5. Let cool before serving.

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Variations & Substitutions

Making homemade pet treats allows for flexibility! Here are some easy ingredient swaps based on what you have on hand:

Flour Substitutions

• Whole wheat flour can be substituted with all-purpose flour or self-rising flour.
  • Use a little extra flour if using all-purpose or baking flour to prevent stickiness.
  • Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, so reduce those if the recipe calls for them.
• Rolled oats can be ground into oat flour, which works well but absorbs less liquid.

Pumpkin Substitutions

• Pumpkin puree can be replaced with unsweetened applesauce in the same amount.
• If your dog likes banana, mashed banana can be used instead of pumpkin puree.

Egg Substitutions

• Replace one egg with one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water.
• Unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree can also substitute for eggs at a ratio of one-quarter cup per egg.

Texture Fixes (For Sticky Dough)

• If the dough is too wet, add one tablespoon of flour at a time until manageable.
• If the dough is too dry, add one teaspoon of water or extra puree.

Storage & Gift Presentation Tips

• Store baked treats in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer freshness.
• Gift Idea: Package treats in small jars or wax paper bags tied with ribbon for an adorable Valentine’s Day gift for pet-loving friends.

FAQ

⚠️ For a list of foods that can be harmful to pets, check out this resource from the Humane Society: Plants and Foods That Can Be Poisonous to Pets

RELATED: Free Printable! Want a quick-reference list of foods your dog can and can’t eat?
Download my free printable cheat sheet to keep on your fridge or in your dog care binder.
It includes 30+ common foods, safety notes, and what to avoid—because your pup deserves the best care.

🐾 BONUS: This printable is part of my Complete Dog Care Kit—now at a super low price during our launch special!
Includes recipe pages, food labels, treat trackers, and more.
Check out the full kit here.

What if I don’t have a heart shaped cookie cutter?
If you don’t have a heart shaped cutter, you can just cut them in any shape you desire. Or try this method from Semisweet Sisters to roll into balls and flatten out to round biscuits, and then cut into one side of the biscuit and spread the halves apart to form a V shape, effectively creating a heart shape out of the biscuit. How cool is that?!

How long do homemade dog treats last?
Most baked treats last 5-7 days in an airtight container, while frozen treats can be kept for up to 3 months.

Can I substitute ingredients for allergies?
Yes! Swap oat flour for wheat flour, pumpkin puree for peanut butter, or coconut yogurt for dairy-based yogurt.

Final Thoughts

While you’re spoiling your pets with these homemade dog treats, don’t forget to take care of yourself, too! Treat yourself to some relaxing self-care with these DIY hydrating skincare ideas. And if you’re looking for a treat for yourself, try these lemon ricotta pancakes for a delicious weekend breakfast or brunch! And for a warm, comforting drink to enjoy while baking, check out this easy microwave hot cocoa recipe!

Making homemade dog treats is an easy and rewarding way to show love for your furry friends. Whether it’s crunchy dog biscuits, frozen yogurt bites, or bunny-friendly snacks, these recipes ensure your pets enjoy homemade treats safely.

Share Your Pet’s Reaction! Did your furry friend love these treats? Share your experience in the comments below! We’d love to hear how your pets enjoyed them—and if you have a cute pet photo, feel free to upload it!