We all love spoiling our dog from time to time. They deserve a nice homemade dog treat. Why not utilise their favourite puzzle bowl while you spoil them?
It’s an easy and tasty way to enrich their day! Kibble should always be the main part of your dog’s diet. It’s made to provide all of the vitamins, minerals, and calories they need in a day.
However, homemade treats are a great and healthy way to enrich your dog and vary their diet. There are a lot of “human foods” that are good for your dog and that they’ll love.
We’re going to utilise these dog safe foods to make them some tasty homemade dog treats that you can serve in their puzzle bowl.
This way they get a tasty treat and some fun play at the same time!
How Much of a Dog’s Diet Should be Homemade Dog Treats?
This is a question a lot of dog owners have. They don’t want to overdo it and make their dog sick or cause health problems.
When in doubt you should always check with your vet. They are the best place for medical and diet advice when it comes to your dog.
The general rule of thumb is no more than 10% of your dog’s diet should be treats.
This includes store bought treats, fruits, veggies, and anything that isn’t their main diet.
For more information on feeding your dog treats, you can check out our blog post Can I Feed My Dog Treats for Meals?
It will go over not only how much treats should be given, but some foods that are safe to share and what should be avoided.
All of the recipes we will be sharing with you contain only dog safe foods, so you won’t have to worry as long as you follow the provided ingredients list.
Sweet Homemade Dog Treats
Depending on your dog’s size and breed, their calorie needs will vary, so you should keep that in mind while following any of the recipes below.
You can freeze any extra you make in portions for later use. They should last up to a month in the freezer.
Then, when you’re ready to use them you can defrost them and place them in your dog’s puzzle bowl.
Peanut Butter and Banana
Ingredients:
- 1 Ripe Banana
- ¼ Cup Dog safe peanut butter
- ¼ Cup Plain greek yoghourt
Directions
- Mash banana with a fork in a bowl and mix in peanut butter and yoghurt.
- You can use a high-powered blender or food processor as well.
- Pour into puzzle bowl and serve
- Optional: Pour into puzzle bowl and freeze for at least 30 minutes before serving for a longer lasting treat.
Berry Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Plain oatmeal
- ¼ Cup Berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries) fresh or frozen
Directions:
- Prepare oatmeal according to package instructions.
- Allow oatmeal to cool.
- Smash berries into oatmeal and mix well.
- Stuff into puzzle bowl and serve.
- Optional: Pour into puzzle bowl and freeze for at least 30 minutes before serving for a longer lasting treat.
Apples and Yoghourt
Ingredients:
- 8oz Plain greek yoghourt
- ½ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Tbsp Honey
Directions:
- Combine all three ingredients in a bowl.
- Pour into puzzle bowl and serve.
- Optional: Pour into puzzle bowl and freeze for at least 30 minutes before serving for a longer lasting treat.
Savory Homemade Dog Treats
Maybe your dog isn’t fond of berries or yoghourt. That’s okay.
These tasty treats will incorporate lean proteins and veggies which are still healthy and a great way to diversify your dog’s diet.
These recipes like the others can be stored in batches if you have leftovers and frozen for up to a month.
When you’re ready to use them, simply thaw, place in your dog’s puzzle bowl, and serve.
Turkey and Cranberries
For the cranberry sauce, you can use store bought or homemade, but do keep the amount small as there can be a lot of added sugar.
For a sugar free alternative, boil and mash some cranberries, but exclude the sugar you would normally add when serving to people.
Ingredients:
- 4-6 oz. Turkey Breast
- ½ Cup Chopped carrots
- ¼ Cup Homemade cranberry sauce
- Reduce this to 2 Tbsp if using store bought
Directions:
- Chop and steam carrots. Let cool.
- Steam turkey if not using precooked. Let cool.
- Mix turkey, carrots, and cranberry sauce together.
- Stuff into puzzle bowl and serve.
- Optional: Pour into puzzle bowl and freeze for at least 30 minutes before serving for a longer lasting treat.
Beef and Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 1 Sweet potato
- 4-6 oz of lean beef
- 2 Tbsp. Gravy
Directions
- Peel and boil sweet potato until tender. Let cool.
- Steam beef if not using precooked. Let cool.
- Mash sweet potato and mix in beef and gravy/
- Stuff into puzzle bowl and serve.
- Optional: Pour into puzzle bowl and freeze for at least 30 minutes before serving for a longer lasting treat.
Conclusion
We hope these recipes for homemade dog treats have inspired you to try something new with your dog.
The only limit is your imagination and any dietary restrictions your dog has.
These treats are a fun and healthy way to reward your dog for a hard day’s work or to celebrate a special occasion.
Does your dog have a favourite treat that goes in their puzzle bowl? Do you give treats on special occasions?
Come on over to social media and tell us all about it. We can’t wait to hear from you.
FAQs About Homemade Dog Treats
Are homemade dog treats safe for my pet?
Yes, homemade dog treats can be safe for your pet as long as you use dog-safe ingredients and follow the provided recipes. Always consult with your vet if you have specific concerns about your dog's diet.
Can I store homemade dog treats for later use?
Yes, you can freeze homemade dog treats in portions for up to a month. This allows you to have them on hand and ready to serve when needed.
Are there any specific safety tips for using puzzle bowls?
When using puzzle bowls, ensure they are clean and free from any small pieces that your dog could swallow. Supervise your dog initially to make sure they understand how to use the puzzle bowl safely.
Can I modify these recipes for dogs with dietary restrictions?
Yes, you can modify the recipes to accommodate your dog's dietary restrictions. Consult with your vet to ensure you are using appropriate ingredients.
Can I use store-bought treats in puzzle bowls?
Yes, you can use store-bought treats in puzzle bowls, but homemade treats can be a healthier and more customised option.