Saving money doesn’t have to require major cutbacks. Check out these DIY deluxe dog treat recipes to help you save a little extra on treats for your dog while having some fun at the same time.
Our recipes
- Penny-saving pumpkin pieces
- Cheap as (apple) chips
- Watermelon frozen treats
- No non-cents dog treats
- Perfect pancakes
Your dog may love these delicious dog treats, but these recipes are designed as a treat for your dog and it’s important to remember to only give them occasionally as part of a well-balanced diet. Some of these recipes may not be suitable for all dogs, particularly dogs with nut allergies or other special dietary needs.
Find out more about portion control and other things to think about when treating your dog to one of our snacks.
Penny-saving pumpkin pieces (£1.14 per batch)
Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 180°C/ 160°C Fan/ gas 4
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 2 cups oats
- 1/2 cup cooked pumpkin
Preheat your oven to 180°C/ 160°C Fan/ gas 4
- Add the oats in to a blender and blitz until ground into a powder
- Mix the oat powder with the peanut butter and cooked pumpkin to make a dough
- Roll out the dough until it’s roughly ½ inch thick
- Use some cookie cutters to cut out the treats in to your desired shape
- Place the treats on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes
- Allow to cool before feeding to your dog
Cheap as (apple) chips (0.50p per batch)
Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 80°C
- 3 apples peeled and cored
Preheat your oven to 80°C
- Cut into thin slices (roughly ¼ inch thick)
- Sprinkle with cinnamon (optional)
- Bake for two hours
Watermelon frozen treats (0.73p per batch)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup watermelon (cubed)
- 1 cup plain yoghurt
- 1 tsp honey
- Place the watermelon, yoghurt and honey into a food processor
- Mix the ingredients until everything is well combined
- Transfer this mixture into any shape mould of your choosing
- Freeze for two to three hours
- Once solid, these treats are ready to be fed to your dog
No non-cents dog treats (£1.18 per batch)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 1 apple
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Heat the coconut oil and peanut butter in microwave for 10 seconds
- Cut apple into small pieces and combine with coconut oil and peanut butter mixture
- Add cinnamon to mixture
- Place in small square sized moulds
- Freeze until solid
Perfect pancakes (0.75p per batch)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup peeled, cooked sweet potato
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey
- Mix together the eggs and sweet potato to create your pancake mix
- On a medium heat, pour the mixture to create four inch diameter pancakes
- Leave for at least three minutes, or until the face-down side seems firm
- Flip and allow the other side to cook for at least 3 minutes
- Dust over some cinnamon and honey for an optional topping
Things to consider when making homemade treats for your dog
Portion control
The snacks we’ve listed above should only be given as an occasional treat and must be given in moderation. Giving too much food in one go can be dangerous to dogs and could cause life threatening bloat, particularly if they’ve eaten immediately before or after exercise. Large amounts of certain foods, especially fatty foods, can also cause a painful and potentially severe condition known as pancreatitis. If you ever suspect your dog has bloat or pancreatitis, then always contact your vet immediately.
It's easy to give your dog extra food throughout the day, especially around Easter, but doing so regularly can be damaging to their health and can make them less happy in the long run. It’s vital that you take care of what food you give to your dog. Maintaining good feeding habits will allow your dog to live the healthiest and happiest life possible.
It's easy to give your dog extra food throughout the day, especially around Easter, but doing so regularly can be damaging to their health and can make them less happy in the long run. It’s vital that you take care of what food you give to your dog. Maintaining good feeding habits will allow your dog to live the healthiest and happiest life possible.
Counting the calories
It’s important that you divide your dog’s total calorie intake for the day between each meal so that you're not overfeeding them. If you like to give them treats, make sure that you assign a certain amount of their calories for these before working out how much to give them for each meal.
Cautions about peanut butter and xylitol
Some of the recipes above use peanut butter. Do not use these recipes if your dog has a nut allergy.
Although dogs love peanut butter, and it’s a great source of protein, you must be careful which type you use. Always avoid feeding dogs peanut butter that is high in salt and sugar and it should never contain artificial sweeteners.
Xylitol, also known as birch sugar or E967, is an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs and can cause an otherwise healthy dog's blood sugar level to drop to dangerous levels or could cause liver failure. If your dog ever eats xylitol then contact your vet immediately.
Although dogs love peanut butter, and it’s a great source of protein, you must be careful which type you use. Always avoid feeding dogs peanut butter that is high in salt and sugar and it should never contain artificial sweeteners.
Xylitol, also known as birch sugar or E967, is an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs and can cause an otherwise healthy dog's blood sugar level to drop to dangerous levels or could cause liver failure. If your dog ever eats xylitol then contact your vet immediately.
Suitability
These recipes may not be suitable for all dogs, particularly those on a special diet or those that suffer from obesity, pancreatitis, diabetes, a sensitive stomach or those with problems with their kidneys or liver. If your dog has any pre-existing health conditions then always talk to your vet about any special diets that they may need, or what treats you can give them.