As dog owners, we want to ensure our dogs are getting the best- and the cost of the best treats has risen with everything else.
So why make homemade dog treats?
How can we give our dogs the best but be budget-conscious? One way we can do this is by making homemade dog treats for them. Not only does this allow us to control the ingredients, but it also allows us to customise the recipes to cater to our pets’ preferences.
In this guide, we will share some basic recipes for delicious and nutritious dog treats that your dog will love.
A huge thank you to Debbie Allery for putting this blog together for us and sharing these amazing recipes.
Getting Started With Your Dog Treat Recipe
The first step in making homemade dog treats is blending the meat. This can be a bit tough on blenders, so if you don’t have a high-powered one, it’s best to chop the meat into smaller pieces and blend it in small batches. The meat can be a mix of liver, heart, lung, or kidneys.
The general rule of thumb is to weigh the meat and add an equal amount of flour. You can use self-raising or plain flour, oats, or a mix of all. Add two to three eggs and a splash of milk to bind the ingredients together.
If the mixture is too dry, add more liquid. If it’s too wet, add more flour. Once the mixture has a good consistency, pour it into a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and bake until cooked through.
To check if it’s cooked, use a skewer to poke the centre. If it comes out clean, your dog treat is ready.
Fish Cake Dog Treat Recipe
The fish cake recipe features a blend of pilchards in tomato sauce and tuna.
To make this, you’ll need:
- Large (400g) tin of pilchards in tomato sauce
- Large (200g) tin of tuna
- Oz Plain flour or oats
- 2 eggs
This mix can be quite wet, so consider adding more flour or cooking it a bit longer if necessary.
Liver Cake Recipes
Liver cake is a hit among many dogs. For both recipes, blend the liver and mix in the other ingredients until you get a thick paste. Bake at a low heat of 100 – 150 for an hour or until the cake is solid. Once baked, it can last for 3-4 days in the fridge or can be frozen.
Here are two variations you can try:
Liver Cake #1
- Large pack of pig liver
- Kidney and heart (optional)
- 4oz plain flour or oats
- 2 eggs
Liver Cake #2
- 1lb (450g) lamb or ox liver
- 1lb (450g) self-raising flour
- 3 eggs
- Milk or water
Method:
Crack eggs into a jug add an equal volume of milk or water and whisk.
Blend offal in a food processor
Add egg mixture and flour. Blend to a sponge cake mix consistency
Empty contents into a greased baking tray. Bake at 180 degrees (350F) for 35–40 mins. Allow to cool and divide.
Chicken and Carrot Cake
This dog treat recipe is a great way to incorporate vegetables into your pet’s diet. For this, you’ll need:
- 2 Chicken Fillets
- One Carrot, Chopped
- 60z Plain Flour or Oats
- 2 Eggs
Method:
A good strong blender
Blend all ingredients, fresh garlic and turmeric can also be added. Flour/oats quantities are approximate mixture should be a thick paste.
Cook on low heat, 100 – 150 for an hour or until the cake is solid. Once baked it will last for 3-4 days in the fridge, but can be frozen. (Freeze on a baking sheet, then you can break up into bags and containers, and they won’t stick in one big lump!)
Treats In A Silicone Mould
If you have a silicone mould, you can also make treats using:
- Tin of sardines
- 3 eggs
- 3 Weetabix
Mix these together and bake at 180 for 25/30 minutes.
Energy Balls
These energy balls are a good carb dog treat alternative for dogs that may be sensitive to wheat or grains. Oatmeal contains Vitamin B and linoleic acid, which are good for your pet’s coat and skin. To make these, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of oats
- ½ cup dog-friendly peanut butter
- ¼ mashed banana
- ¼ cup apple
- 2 tbsp honey
Mash together the peanut butter, banana, and honey. Add the oatmeal and apple, then stir to combine. Roll the mixture into small balls and serve.
Remember, treats should be factored in as part of your pet’s daily food allowance, so other meals should be reduced accordingly.
With these recipes, you can now treat your dog to some homemade, nutritious, and delicious treats.
Happy cooking!
You can download these recipes here
- dog health
- dog treats
- Ladies Working Dog Group
- liver cake
- LWDG
- treats for dogs
- working dogs
Join Our Online Community!
Jump on our email list for free tips and insights delivered to your inbox monthly. No spam - just quick bites of value.
The Ladies Working Dog Group
Join us today for instant access to member-only content and benefits!
Membership
