Dog Recipes

Baking for Dogs, Rescuing with Love

"From homemade dog cookies to rescue resources, this little corner of the internet is dedicated to the pups who make life better."

Every Great Home Needs a Dog Bath, a Park Nearby, or Room for Zoomies

A Great Home Isn't Just for People—It's for Dogs Too.

🍪 My Favorite Dog Treat Recipes

As someone who regularly fosters and adopts rescue dogs, I am always looking for simple, healthy treats that are easy to make at home.

Whether you have a puppy, a senior dog, or a rescue adjusting to a new home, these recipes are favorites in our house.

Here are a few recipes

Recipe #1

Birthday Cake For Your PUP

Celebrate your dog's next birthday or treat your pooch for no reason at all! Peanut butter and apple combine to create a taste your dog will love as much as you do. Apples provide vitamins A and C, along with beneficial fiber for your dog. Make sure to remove all the seeds, as they contain potentially harmful compounds.

If small children want to help, they can do it! Core and cut the apple into large slices, then let your little one finish chopping with a plastic knife. Challenging your child to cut tiny pieces not only makes the recipe work best, but also provides great fine motor practice which can help strengthen muscles used for writing.

Ingredients:

1 egg

4 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 cup apple, chopped fine

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a ramekin and set aside. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour batter into ramekin. If desired, garnish with a few additional apple slices. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. Makes 1 serving.

Note: To make a larger batch, try multiplying the ingredient amounts by four, and dividing the batter evenly in a six-cavity muffin tin. In this case, shorten baking time by a few minutes if needed.

Recipe #2

Peanut Butter And Pumpkin Dog Treats

Unsurprisingly, most dogs love peanut butter! Peanut butter provides protein and healthy fats for your pup (and you, too!) When allowed to dry completely while baking, these treats store well at room temperature. If you choose to bake them to a softer consistency, store them in the refrigerator for best results.

Children will love to help make these as well. The ingredients are safe if they sneak a bite, and children love using cookie cutters. Dog bone-shaped cutters make this recipe even more fun to make.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour, preferably whole wheat

2 eggs

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until well combined. Add flour gradually and mix to form a firm but workable dough. Add a teaspoon or two of water if dough is too dry to roll.

Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. With a cookie cutter, cut shapes and transfer to an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy. Makes about 25 treats, depending on the size of the cookie cutter.

Recipe #3

No-Bake Oat Balls

Quick and easy, these dog treats also contain pumpkin. Pumpkin is packed with nutrition for your dog and can be soothing for pups with stomach upset. If you don't have pumpkin, try replacing it with mashed banana, sweet potato, or even butternut squash—all tasty, healthy options for your dog.

With no oven required, this recipe is simple enough for children to make on their own. Little ones will be so proud to make treats for your pet all by themselves! If you have concerns about peanut butter due to allergies in your home, use sunflower butter instead—it is also pet safe, and some dogs even prefer the taste.

Ingredients:

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup milk or half and half

3 cups uncooked rolled oats, reserving 1/2 cup for topping

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, peanut butter, and milk. Stir until combined. Add 2 1/2 cups oats and mix until the dough is firm enough to roll into balls. With a spoon or scoop, form dough into 1-inch to 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll balls in reserved oats to coat. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Store refrigerated. Makes about 20 treats.

Recipe #4

Apple Cheddar Dog Treats

Instead of peanut butter, these treats feature cheese, another favorite of many dogs. What's more, two tasty flavors of cheese combine to make them irresistible! While cheese is more of a treat than a nutritional benefit for your dog, the lower lactose levels in cheese makes it more digestible for Fido. These treats are baked until very dry and store well at room temperature in an air-tight container.

Children will love to help roll and cut the dough, and these are easy enough for them to make. Just be sure to help with the oven! Once again, choosing a dog bone cookie cutter will make these more fun to make and more fun for your dog to enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

½ cup uncooked rolled oats

1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, combine cheeses, applesauce, and oil. Add flour and oats and mix until well combined. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed until the mixture forms a firm but workable dough. Roll dough ¼ inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut shapes and transfer them to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and allow the treats to dry thoroughly in the oven. Makes approximately 16–20 treats, depending on the size of the cookie cutter.

Recipe Card #5

Frozen Banana Pup Pops

Nothing beats a cool, refreshing treat on a warm day!

These frozen banana and peanut butter bites are simple to make with just a few wholesome ingredients your dog will love. Bananas provide potassium and fiber, while plain yogurt offers a creamy texture that's perfect for freezing into a delicious summertime snack.

This no-bake recipe is fun for the whole family. Kids can help peel the bananas, add the ingredients to the blender, and pour the mixture into silicone molds before popping them into the freezer.

Ingredients:

2 bananas

½ cup plain yogurt

1 tablespoon peanut butter

Directions:

Blend the bananas, yogurt, and peanut butter until smooth. Pour the mixture into silicone molds or an ice cube tray. Freeze overnight, or until completely firm. Serve frozen as a cool treat on warm days.

Recipe Card #6

Sweet Potato Chews

Sometimes the simplest treats are the best!

Sweet potatoes are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them a healthy snack your dog can enjoy. With just one ingredient, these homemade chews are an affordable, nutritious alternative to many store-bought treats.

Children can help wash the sweet potatoes or arrange the slices on the baking sheet, making this an easy recipe for the whole family to prepare together.

Ingredients:

Sweet potatoes

Directions:

Wash the sweet potatoes and slice them into thin, even rounds or strips. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 250°F for 2–3 hours, turning halfway through if desired, until the treats are dried and chewy. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Simple, healthy, and inexpensive.