Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Homemade Dog Treats
Want to make your own dog treats but not sure where to start? Take a read through our healthy homemade treat recipes!
Author: Dr Lacey Kelly BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 29 minutes - medium 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!
Contents:
Roasted Cranberry Turkey Treat
West Paw Recipes
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
Directions
- 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 at 180degrees for 30mins and allow to cool
- Serve treat inside a West Paw Tux
Canine Candy Cane
Ingredients & Materials
- 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
Directions
- 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 1-2hours.
- 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
Why not try some cute doggy bone shapes using this food grade silicone mold from Doggytopia!
KONG 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 at 180degrees Celsius 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
Directions
- 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 or roll into balls before placing on a lined baking tray
- Bake until golden. Remove from the oven and cool before serving.
Peanut Butter Parfait
Ingredients
- 1/2 a Banana (mashed)
- 1 Teaspoon Peanut Butter (xylitol, sugar and additives free)
- Blueberries
- 1 tbsp of Natural Yoghurt
Directions
- 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
Other great KONG stuffing ideas:
Lickimat Recipes
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 dogs. 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)
Directions
- 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
Directions
- 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.
Stuffing Ideas for slow feeders/toys:
- 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 , Natureâs Cuts, and SavourLife
- Greek Yoghurt
- Cucumber
- Cooked Steak or Chicken
Home Baked Goodies
Quick and Easy Baby Food Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Flour of Choice (plain flour, oat flour, chickpea flour)
- 110gram Jar of Baby Food (make sure it contains no hidden nasties like onion)
- 1/4 Cup Bone Broth (If you don't have any broth you can use some water in place)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Combine baby food and flour in a bowl, mix until combined
- Add in broth a small amount at a time, mixing until the cookie batter reaches a slightly sticky consistency that holds together well.
- Roll into balls and place on a lined baking tray. Flatten the balls a little with your thumb
- Bake in oven for 15-20mins
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2weeks
Beef & Brown Rice Biscuits
Ingredients
- 200 Grams Lean Beef Mince; cooked and cooled, any excess oil removed
- 1/2 Cup Brown Rice, cooled
- 1/4 Cup Bone Broth (if you don't have bone broth a salt reduced beef stock will work)
- 1 egg
- 2 & 1/2 Cups Plain Flour
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Combine beef, rice and broth in blender and blend it into a paste
- Pour the paste into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients, combining until a dough forms
- Sprinkle some flour on your work bench and knead the dough until it is no longer sticky
- Roll the dough to about 2cm thickness
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place on a lined baking tray
- Bake for 25-30mins until lightly golden, cool before serving
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1week
Tuna Pupsicles
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Greek Yoghurt
- 1/2 Cup Tuna or Salmon in spring water (no need to drain the water off)
- Handful of kibble or small treats (try Natures Cuts Kangaroo Treats or Ziwi Peak Venison Treats
Directions
- Use a whisk or blender to combine the greek yoghurt and tuna in springwater
- Place 1-2 treats or pieces of kibble into each section of an ice cube tray
- Top with the tuna & yoghurt mix
- Freeze until solid for your pup to enjoy. You can place the frozen cube in a Kong or slow feeder for an extra challenge
Chicken Jerky
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (skinless)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 100°C
- Remove excess fat from chicken and slice into thin 4-5mm strips
- Place the chicken strips on a lined baking tray and bake for 2hours
- Check to see if the slices are dry; if not continue cooking in 30min intervals until they are very dry
- Remove from the oven and cool before feeding to your pal
- Once cooled store in an airtight container in the fridge for a week
Must Have Baking Goods
Take your homemade treats to the next level with these must-have baking items.
*These recipes and treats are not complete and balanced and are not designed to replace your pet's regular diet. Treats should only be fed in conjunction with a complete and balanced diet. For more information on what to feed your pet please contact our vets Discover Page. Check with your vet first to ensure that these treats are suitable for your pet.
Further Reading
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
