As the holidays are rolling around, DIY activities are becoming more popular around the household. In this article, we’re sharing a couple of our favorite DIY dog treat recipes using ingredients commonly found in your pantry! Not only is making your own dog treats a fun activity, there’s also comfort in knowing exactly what’s going into the treats your dog will be consuming. 

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats

Our all time favorite recipe is peanut butter pumpkin treats, a simple recipe that only requires 4 ingredients! 

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup of pumpkin puree (pro tip: this can be found similar at local grocery stories however, it is important to make sure the only ingredient is pumpkin with no sugar added. This can easily be mixed up with pumpkin pie filling which is commonly advertised during the holidays which includes added sugar) 
• 3 tbsp of unsweetened, smooth all-natural peanut butter
• 1 large egg beaten
• 1 cup of whole wheat flour (we use King Arthur!)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F 
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, beaten egg and whisk until the mixture is combined and smooth
3. Add the flour and mix with a fork until soft dough is formed
4. Use your hands to form small balls and press into a flat surface until ¼ inch thick (pro tip: you can add some fun by using a cookie cutter to cut out fun shapes!)
5. Place dough onto an ungreased baking sheet 
6. Bake for about 18 minutes or until golden brown and hard to the touch. The baking time will vary based on the size of the treats.
7. Make sure to store in an airtight container for maximum freshness as these treats contain no preservatives

Frozen Pumpkin Popsicles

A simple and easy recipe which requires no cooking at all is our frozen pumpkin popsicles. The only ingredient you will need is pumpkin puree. If you want to mix it up a little, you can also mix half nonfat plain yogurt and half pumpkin puree. There are also a lot of fun ice molds out there you can use to create fun shapes such as a paw print or a dog bone.

Instructions: 

1. Clear a flat space in your freezer to place your frozen treats 
2. In a small bowl add in 1 can of pumpkin puree (and half nonfat plain yogurt if you desire), pro-tip: you can add a little bit of water to stretch the batter for easy pouring
3. Pour batter into ice molds and place into freezer until solid which typically takes 4 hours
4. Release treats from molds and place in an airtight container in the freezer 

Dehydrated apples 

Another fun recipe with less than 5 ingredients are dehydrated apple treats. You can also try this with strawberries, bananas and green beans!

Ingredients:

• 2 whole apples
• 1 pinch of cinnamon 

Instructions: 

1. Using an apple corer, core the apples 
2. Using a knife or a mandolin slicer, thinly slice apples about ½ a centimeter
3. If you have a dehydrator, line the apple slices on the dehydrating trays and heat to 158°F and set timer to 10-12 hours until dried and crisp to touch
4. If you do not have a dehydrator, preheat oven to 200°F and line apple slices onto a parchment lined baking tray and bake for approximately 2 hours until dried and crisp to touch
5. Let apples cool, sprinkle with a small pinch of cinnamon and ensure to store in an airtight container 

Final Thoughts

Making your own dog treats can sound like a daunting task but it really isn't! It can be rewarding to have the peace of mind knowing what is going into the food your dog eats and can be a healthy alternative to store-bought treats.

Many common fruits, vegetables and pantry items can be made into dog treats, just remember to do research and ensure the ingredients you use are safe for dogs. 

About the Author: Bonnie is a 9-5 working professional and a part-time social media influencer who loves to spend free time with her two dogs, Curtis and Daisy. She loves making treats for her dogs and sharing her recipes with friends and family. You can follow their adventures at @Curtisandthecorgi!