Last Updated: 06/11/2025
Healthy Homemade Dog Treat Recipes (12 Easy Ideas)
Spoil your pup without the guilt! Our vet shares 12 easy and healthy homemade dog treat recipes. Find the perfect stuffing for KONGs, toppings for LickiMats, or simple baked biscuits. Know exactly what your dog is eating and have fun doing it.
Author: Dr Lacey Kelly BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Healthy homemade dog treats are a great way to reward your dog and get tails wagging without the guilt factor. They are easy, inexpensive and you know exactly what goes into them, so you don't have to worry about any unnecessary additives or nasties.
The yummy treats below are made with healthy ingredients that you likely already have in your fridge and pantry. Nothing beats a homemade treat so scroll through, pick your favourite and whip up a little indulgence for your furry friend. Don't forget to include the secret ingredient: love!
Recipes for West Paw toys
West Paw has lots of safe, durable, and responsibly made puzzle feeder toys to keep your dog entertained for hours. Try one of these super simple homemade recipes to stuff their treat toy with. Packed full of healthy ingredients these treats can be made ahead of time for a mid-week surprise that is sure to get tails wagging.
*recipes care of the West Paw company website
Roasted Cranberry Turkey Treat
Ingredients
- 170grams Roasted Boneless Turkey
- 1/2 Cup Chopped Carrot
- 1/2 Cup Quinoa Flour
- 1/8 Cup Dried Cranberries
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Blend turkey, chopped carrots, quinoa flour, and cranberry in a food processor
- Roll into 1-2inch balls and place on a cookie sheet
- Bake for 30mins and allow to cool
- Serve treat inside a West Paw Tux
Canine Candy Cane
Ingredients
- Fresh raspberries and/or strawberries (crushed). You will need approx. 3-4 raspberries per mold
- Plain Greek yoghurt. You will need approx. 1tbsp per mold, depending on size
- Water bottle ice cube tray
Method
- Mash your fruit of choice and set aside.
- Fill your water bottle ice cube tray first with mashed berries, using your fingers to create an even space in between the berries. Use a dry paper towel to absorb any juice from the empty spaces to ensure the red colour won't bleed into the white yoghurt later.
- Freeze for 1-2 hours.
- Remove your tray from the freezer and begin filling the gaps with the plain greek yoghurt - this two-step method keeps the colours from running together.
- Place the tray back into the freezer for a minimum of 3 hours
- Remove from freezer and run the thin ice cube under tap water for a second to make it easier to slide into the West Paw Qwizl
- Place inside the West Paw Qwizl and serve
KONG stuffing recipes
KONGs are a great way to slow down feeding, provide mental stimulation, and keep dogs entertained. Get creative and find your dog's favourite stuffing combo or try one of the easy Kong recipes below to keep your furry friend happy.
*recipes care of the KONG company website
Mini Pupcakes
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Cup Flour
- 1/2 Cup Apple Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Cooked Sweet Potato
- 3 Tbsp Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (xylitol, sugar and additives free)
- 1 Egg
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl
- Fill baking mold with the mix
- Bake for 12-15mins. Allow to cool.
- Stuff Mini Pupcakes into your KONG
Blueberry Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2tbsp of Coconut Oil
- 1 Cup Wholemeal Flour
- 1 Cup Blueberries
- 2 Eggs
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Melt the coconut oil in the microwave so it becomes liquid. Combine oil with flour and 1 egg at a time until you create a dough consistency
- Gently fold in the blueberries to the dough
- Cut into shapes before placing on a lined baking tray.
- Bake until golden. Remove from the oven and cool before serving in KONG.
Peanut Butter Parfait
Ingredients
- 1/2 a Banana (mashed)
- 1 Teaspoon Peanut Butter (xylitol, sugar and additives free)
- Blueberries
- 1 tbsp of Natural Yoghurt
Method
- Blend the banana, yoghurt, and peanut butter together to create a smoothie consistency
- Gently add the blueberries to the mix before filling up your classic KONG
- Freeze for an extra challenge
For more ideas and inspiration, read through our guide to What to Put in a Kong.
Lickimat topping ideas
Not only are LickiMats a great way to slow down fast eaters and keep your dog entertained, but they also help to soothe and calm anxious pets. The raised grooves and flexible designs allow food to be spread or sprinkled on the surface to encourage licking to retrieve the tasty treat. This licking action releases endorphins and brings calm to your stressy pup. Try out the dishwasher safe LickiMat Wobble Bowl for a little extra challenge.
*recipes care of the Lickimat company website
Coconut Chia Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 Heaped Teaspoon Chia Seeds
- 1/2 Cup Low Fat Coconut Milk
- Chopped Strawberries
- Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 Teaspoon Peanut Butter (xylitol, sugar and additives free)
Method
- Soak chia seeds overnight in coconut milk. If the mixture looks too thick stir in extra coconut milk or some water
- Scrape into a LickiMat Wobble making sure to spread some over the bowl surface for more lickable fun
- Add the strawberries and blueberries and a drizzle of peanut butter
- Serve immediately or wrap and freeze for later
Fish & Veg Pate
Ingredients
- 1 Can of Fish in Springwater (Tuna, Sardines)
- 1/2 a Cup of Boiled or Steamed Veges (Pumpkin, Carrot)
- 3 Tablespoons Broth or Water
Method
- Blend ingredients by hand or with a blender until still a little lumpy
- Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the mixture on the LickiMat before serving (adapt the serving size to suit your dog)
- Store the remaining mixture in a container in the fridge/freezer
- If you have an extra LickiMat, spread the prepared mixture over it, wrap it and freeze it to serve later.
Home-baked dog biscuit recipes
Quick stuffing ideas for food puzzles
- Frozen Banana
- Apple Slices
- Pumpkin Puree
- Frozen Coconut Milk (unsweetened and free of stabilizers like xanthan gum carrageenan)
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce
- Treats such as KONG , Nature's Cuts, and SavourLife
- Greek Yoghurt
- Cucumber
- Cooked Steak or Chicken
FAQs
Whipping up homemade goodies is a fantastic way to show your pup some love and control exactly what they're eating. Remember, treats are 'sometimes' foods and should always be given as part of a complete and balanced diet. With these healthy recipes, you can get those tails wagging and feel good about it. Happy baking!
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 6 Nov 2025
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Lacey Kelly BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Lacey graduated from the University of Queensland in 2016 and has worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East QLD. Dr Lacey. She holds a special passion for pain management, small animal internal medicine, critical care, and senior support. Her favourite part of being a vet is helping clients make the best evidence-based choices for their pets and forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
