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    🏠Home » Recipes » Dogs and Dog Treats

    Homemade Dog Treats—Healthy & Low-Fat

    Feb 5, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ·

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.49 from 166 votes

    Homemade Dog Treats are both low-calorie and low-fat. With only five ingredients, your dog will love the peanut butter and pumpkin taste. Much healthier than commercial treats—any veterinarian would approve.

    Pile of homemade dog treats
    Jump To:
    • 🐾Why you should make these dog treats
    • 🥜Ingredients
    • 👨‍🍳How to Make Healthy Homemade Dog Treats
    • 🐕Tips
    • ❓FAQs
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • Recipe
    • Recipe Tips:
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    🐾Why you should make these dog treats

    • Time to get the pups something special and healthier than most other dog biscuits. Your dog will love them, and you won't feel as guilty. Four paws way up for this one.
    • It is easy to adjust the ingredients. If your vet recommends specific diets, like a low-fat diet for pancreatitis or weight loss. Or you can make them gluten-free for wheat sensitivity by changing the flour.
    • Much lower in calories for overweight dogs—only about 30 calories per dog biscuit vs. the 120 we were using.
    • Uses 4 simple healthy ingredients: pumpkin puree, peanut butter, eggs, salt, and flour. Some cinnamon may be added to make us humans feel it is tasty.
    • A bonus is they are a lot cheaper than store-bought dog treats, especially the pet boutique's gourmet ones.
    • DISCLAIMER—You must discuss your dog's health with and follow your veterinarian's recommendations for your dog's diet and health needs—not the internet. These occasional treats should not be a significant portion of your pet's diet.

    Our first golden Jake had issues. He was getting older, was 25 pounds overweight, and eventually became blind and had a torn ACL. He had multiple surgeries—he deserved treats, but needed a healthy diet, too.

    Based on Allrecipes Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats. I increased the pumpkin and provided low-fat and gluten-free options. And decrease the cooking time slightly to keep them softer for Jake's senior teeth.

    🥜Ingredients

    • Pumpkin Puree: Use real puree, not pumpkin pie filler, which may have harmful spices like nutmeg. You could use squash or sweet potato instead.
    • Peanut Butter: Dogs love peanut butter, and it has excellent protein and healthy fats but DO NOT use any brand that has Xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs. It is found mainly in lower-caloric peanut butter, but READ THE LABEL. Also, many types of nuts are toxic to dogs, so be careful about other nuts or nut butter.
    • Flour: Almost any flour will do. I tend to use whole wheat, but all-purpose flour is fine. Or use alternative flour like rice or oat flour, which are gluten-free if that is what you need. Soy flour will work well, but some dogs and owners have problems with it. Coconut flour and other nut flours should be avoided unless you are sure they are safe.
    • Eggs: The eggs will help hold everything together. Using two whole egg or four egg whites to get rid of 10 grams of fat and 115 calories for the entire recipe, Only about 2 calories and a fraction of a gram of fat per treat.
    • Cinnamon: Optional. It is primarily for you—skip it if you want. A small amount is safe.

    👨‍🍳How to Make Healthy Homemade Dog Treats

    1. In a stand mixer or large bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, water, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon.
    2. Slowly add 3 cups of whole wheat flour and more water as needed to get to about the consistency of pie dough.
    3. You can roll out ¼ inch thick and cut with cookie cutters or form into a 1-inch diameter and cut into ¼ to ½ inch disks.
    4. Bake on trays with parchment paper for about 30 minutes for softer or 40 minutes for firmer.

    🐕Tips

    Mixing tip

    • Mixing tips
      • A good stand mixer earns its keep with this recipe. But you can use a food processor or hand mix in a large bowl.
      • The amount of water will vary a lot depending on the flour used. You are trying to get to a pie crust consistency. Add a bit more water or flour to get there. The dough should not be very sticky.
      • You can blend in other dog-safe ingredients like rolled oats or wheat germ. Just be sure you are using safe additives.
      • Here are some everyday things toxic to dogs: Grapes/raisins, chocolate, onion, garlic, chives, avocados, citrus, and many more things can have issues. So before using a product, be sure it is safe and read all labels.
    • Cutting tips
      • The shape doesn't matter to the dog. But we humans like bone or holiday shapes. I generally roll the dough into logs and cut it into ¼ to ½ inch thick disks.
      • If you want to cut shapes, roll the dough onto a floured surface about ¼ inch thick and use a cookie cutter to make what you what.
    • Baking tips
      • A large baking sheet with a non-stick covering like parchment paper or a silicone baking mat is suggested. A coat of PAM on bare metal is not enough—they stick.
      • The suggested 40 minutes at 375° is generally correct. It will produce a nice dry dog cookie, especially if ¼ inch thick.
      • Baking time will vary by size and thickness, so watch to color and get to at least 165°. Longer is OK to crisp them more.
      • If you need softer for an older dog, undercooked (30 minutes total) to leave more moisture. They still need to reach 165° due to the eggs. But softer means more moisture which means spoiling (molding) faster. Just be aware of the issues.

    ❓FAQs

    How long can homemade dog treats be stored?

    Generally, 5-7 days at room temperature, but it may be shorter if you make them softer. Keep them in an airtight container. Refrigerating will extend the storage time to 1 to 2 weeks.

    They will freeze well when stored airtight for up to 3 months.

    Like other homemade baked products—these do not have the preservatives you will find in store-bought treats. So mold will come faster than you think.

    What type of flour can I use?

    I generally use whole wheat or AP flour. Oat or rice flour work well. Soy flour and almond flour are usually safe, but many dogs will be sensitive to soy or almond products.

    Coconut flour and other nut flours should be avoided unless you are sure they are safe for your dog. Consult your veterinarian if unsure.

    What can I add to dog treats?

    You can blend in other dog-safe ingredients like rolled oats or wheat germ. Just be sure you are using safe additives. If in doubt, get your vet's advice.

    Here are everyday things toxic to dogs: Grapes/raisins, chocolate, onion, garlic, chives, avocados, citrus, and many more things can have issues. So before using a product, be sure it is safe and read all labels.

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    Dogs and Dog Treats
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    ingredients for dog treats

    Preheat oven to 350° convection or 375° conventional.

    wet ingredients in the stand mixer

    Combine ½ of a 14 oz can of pumpkin puree with 2 eggs, ¼ cup water, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. With a stand mixer dough hook on two or by hand, slowly mix in 3 cups of whole wheat or other flour. You may need more water—you want the consistency of pie dough. If mixing by hand, do as well as you can in the bowl, then move to a floured area to finish combining.

    dough in two pieces on a black board

    Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it in half for easier handling.

    cutting the dough roll into pieces

    Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick and use bone-shaped or other cookie cutters. Or roll into logs of 1-inch diameter. Cut into ¼ to ½ inch pieces.

    dog biscuts spread over parchment paper

    Prep two large baking sheets with parchment paper and distribute the biscuits evenly.

    dog treats on a wire rack

    Bake for 30 minutes for semi-hard or longer for harder bones. The bones must reach 165° internal temperature for food safety due to the eggs.

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    Recipe

    Pile of homemade dog treats on a wire rack

    Homemade Dog Treats—Healthy & Low-Fat

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Homemade dog treats are both low-calorie and low-fat. With only five ingredients, your dog will love the peanut butter and pumpkin taste. Much healthier than commercial treats—any veterinarian would approve.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.49 from 166 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 60

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 7 oz can pumpkin
    • 3 tablespoons peanut butter
    • 2 egg - or 4 egg whites
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ to ½ cup water - as needed
    • 3 cups whole wheat flour
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350° convection or 375° conventional.
      ingredients for dog treats
    • Combine ½ of a 14 oz can of pumpkin puree with 2 eggs, ¼ cup water, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
      wet ingredients in the stand mixer
    • With a stand mixer dough hook on two or by hand, slowly mix in 3 cups of whole wheat or other flour. You may need more water—you want the consistency of pie dough. If mixing by hand, do as well as you can in the bowl, then move to a floured area to finish combining.
    • Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it in half for easier handling.
      dough in two pieces on a black board
    • Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick and use bone-shaped or other cookie cutters. Or roll into logs of 1-inch diameter. Cut into ¼ to ½ inch pieces.
      cutting the dough roll into pieces
    • Prep two large baking sheets with parchment paper and distribute the biscuits evenly.
      dog biscuts spread over parchment paper
    • Bake for 30 minutes for semi-hard or longer for harder bones. The bones must reach 165° internal temperature for food safety due to the eggs.
      dog treats on a wire rack
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

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    Recipe Notes

    Recipe Tips:

    1. This dough is dry, and a stand mixer helps a lot. You can do it by hand or use a food processor.
    2. Using 4 egg whites vs. 2 whole eggs will save 10 gms of fat and 115 calories over the entire recipe. So, about 2 calories and a fraction of a gram of fat per treat.
    3. If the dough is too dry, add a bit of water. If sticky, then more flour. You are aiming for non-sticky pie crust consistency.
    4. To make gluten-free, substitute with rice or oat flour.
    5. Lower-calorie peanut butter frequently is made with xylitol. Xylitol is quite toxic for dogs and can be deadly to them.
    6. CHECK ALL LABELS for toxic ingredients.
    7. 40 minutes is recommended, but if you want softer than 30  minutes.
    8. These do not have the preservatives you will find in store-bought treats. They can be at room temperature for a few days. Refrigerated for about 5 days or frozen for 3-4 months.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Nutrition Facts
    Homemade Dog Treats—Healthy & Low-Fat
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 26 Calories from Fat 5
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 0.5g1%
    Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g
    Sodium 23mg1%
    Potassium 42mg1%
    Carbohydrates 5g2%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 0.1g0%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 250IU5%
    Vitamin C 0.4mg0%
    Calcium 2mg0%
    Iron 0.2mg1%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : American
    Cuisine : American

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Originally Published May 6, 2012. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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    Jake sitting in flowers

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dr Dan

      October 15, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      I have closed comments on this post after deleting multiple false comments and rude behavior by many readers towards each other (and me). Comments will not be reopened. You can comment on the basic recipe at the link to the inspiration recipe.

    2. Nancy Pendleton

      October 04, 2015 at 2:08 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing!! I used to make treats but then my dog got pancreatitis and the ones I made won't work... These will! I will add parsley for breath and I use oats ground in a blender instead of flour. My beagle will be so happy! I hope you have found a new animal to join your family...

    3. Joan Dredge

      February 19, 2014 at 3:15 pm

      I am so very sorry to read about you loss. It is devastating to lose such best friend. I'm sure he knew your love by the care you have given him over the years.
      Today I shall make these cookies for our near pudgy mini Aussies in honor of your Jake.

      • DrDan

        February 19, 2014 at 11:25 pm

        Thanks for the note. Jake loved these treats. The new puppies are not ready for these yet. I need to find a "puppy treat" recipe.
        DrDan

    4. Serena Freese

      September 01, 2013 at 10:00 am

      Do they go bad after a certain amount of time?

      • Dan Mikesell

        September 01, 2013 at 7:04 pm

        Absolutely they will. Just like other baked products. They are not loaded with the chemicals of commercial dog treats that are ok for years. I would suggest refrigerate what you can't use in 3-4 days. And they should freeze well.

    5. Barbara Hellebrand

      August 24, 2013 at 7:56 pm

      I use a gluten-free flour....although my vet said that for years dogs have been eating wheat products.

    6. Dr Dan

      October 07, 2012 at 12:42 pm

      I think the rice or soy flour should either be ok but I have never used rice but I'm sure the soy should be ok.

    7. Christine

      May 06, 2012 at 8:38 pm

      Those are pretty big for low calorie. I'm glad Jake likes them!

      • patti

        January 19, 2014 at 11:41 am

        Thank you for this recipe! My dog of 14 years who we saved from being put down has or had many health issues, shes blind, hardly has any teeth left as well as arthritis. I was happy to see your recipe for your dog with similar concerns. Keep creating so we can keep baking! I also add spinach for bowels since she is inactive along with water mixed with these treats since she doesnt drink much water. Watermelon is good for this. All Vet approved. Happy baking!

      • DrDan

        January 19, 2014 at 12:30 pm

        Glad it's working for you. There is a soft Milk Bone treat you might want to try also. We lost Jake this week to cancer so no dog treats for a while

        Dan

      • Estelle

        October 11, 2015 at 3:48 pm

        The dough was VERY STICKY ! What did I do wrong???

      • DrDan

        October 11, 2015 at 5:00 pm

        A little less water or a little more flour to get where you want it.
        DrDan

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