Anyone who owns a dog knows that puppies are much more than pets.
They are our best and most faithful friends and members of our families.
That’s why we try to give them as much love and pleasure as possible and to make them happy in various ways.
Both puppies and adult dogs love treats, so most owners treat their dogs to a tasty snack now and then.
Treats are also beneficial in dog training because many dogs learn best when rewarded for their hard work and obedience to something tasty.
However, store-bought treats generally aren’t cheap, and more importantly, it’s hard to figure out what all the ingredients include.
These treats often have many preservatives, fats, and chemicals, so they are not the healthiest option for your dog.
On the other hand, homemade treats are far more affordable and healthier.
If you use homemade treats for your dog, you can control your ingredients and choose what is healthy and what your dog likes.
Controlling ingredients is also essential if your dog has special dietary requirements, allergies, or food intolerances.
You can also make homemade treats for your dog from ingredients in your kitchen, so they do not require additional costs.
There are many recipes for homemade dog treats, many of which are very simple and have few ingredients.
In this text, you will find 10 recipes for treats that include only three ingredients.
All the ingredients included in these recipes are healthy and safe for dogs, but if your dog does not like or tolerate some of these foods, feel free to substitute them with others.
If you have any doubts about your dog’s specific dietary requirements, consult your veterinarian first.
Some recipes we have prepared for you do not require baking, so they are ideal for hot summer days or situations when you don’t have time for cooking.
The best thing is that you can store all these treats for days (and some even weeks) in a jar, refrigerator, or freezer, and from time to time, please your furry friend with a piece.
No-Bake Dog Treat Recipes
As much as we love to pamper our dogs, there are days when it’s just too hot to use the oven.
For the summer heat and days when you don’t feel like baking, we suggest recipes for dog treats that do not bake.
Choose a recipe according to your dog’s taste, or adapt it to suit his habits and dietary needs.
The following recipes consist of only three ingredients, and in some of them, you will also find suggestions for replacing certain groceries in case your dog does not like them or they are not suitable for his diet.
- 3 Ingredient Frozen Dog Treat
For this treat, you need plain Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and a banana.
In a bowl or food processor, combine one cup of Greek yogurt, half a cup of peanut butter, and one medium-sized banana, cut into pieces.
The texture of the resulting mixture should be creamy and not too sticky.
Fill a silicone ice cube tray with the mixture and freeze for at least two hours.
Instead of an ice cube tray, you can use silicone cookie cutters.
You can find both in various shapes, like paws, bones, and hearts, but your dog will surely like these treats, even if they are in simpler forms.
These treats are ideal for summer days as they require no baking, are quick to prepare, and will help your dog cool down.
Dogs love yogurt, and it can be very beneficial for them as long as it is given as a treat, i.e., in small amounts.
Plain yogurt and Greek yogurt are the two best options for dogs, but dogs generally like Greek yogurt a little better because it’s thicker.
Most importantly, your yogurt must not contain artificial sweeteners, added sugars, or xylitol. Xylitol is extremely dangerous and toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.
Dogs adore peanut butter, a good source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins E and B in small amounts.
However, you must ensure that the peanut butter does not contain xylitol, and it would be good to avoid additives.
The best options are homemade peanut butter and dog-specific peanut butter.
Bananas are safe for dogs in moderation. However, if you want a no-banana recipe for a dog treat, replace them with canned pumpkin or unsweetened applesauce.
- Frozen Dog Treat For Fresh Breath
Here’s a dog treat your furry friend will love and freshen his breath simultaneously.
You need chicken stock, peanut butter, and chopped fresh mint.
Place one cup of peanut butter (without xylitol) and one tablespoon of chopped fresh mint in a bowl.
Pour one cup of chicken stock into a silicone cookie or ice cube tray, filling each compartment halfway.
Place the container in the freezer for an hour, then add the peanut butter and mint mixture to each compartment, filling the boxes to the top.
Return the silicone container to the freezer for at least another two hours.
This treat is delicious for your dog while being healthy and beneficial, as the mint will help your dog have more pleasant breath.
- A Simple Carrot Treat
The best dog treats are the simplest.
Another healthy recipe that only needs three ingredients calls for carrots, Greek yogurt, and applesauce.
Cut the carrot into rings and add it to a mixture of equal amounts of Greek yogurt and applesauce.
Shape the resulting mixture into balls and put them in the freezer to harden.
Carrots are healthy for dogs, but they must be eaten in moderation.
Carrots are fiber-rich and contain vitamins A, B6, and K, potassium, beta-carotene, calcium, and iron.
Carrots can improve your dog’s coat and skin health thanks to antioxidants and vitamin A.
In addition, carrots have an excellent effect on canine vision.
- Summer Watermelon Treat
Here’s a summer treat for your dog to share with you!
This treat is tasty for dogs and people, so you and your furry friend can enjoy it together on warm days.
You need a few pieces of watermelon, coconut milk, and honey.
Put two cups of watermelon, one cup of coconut milk, and 4 tablespoons of honey in a blender.
Blend until the texture is runny or puree-like.
Watermelon contains a lot of water, so the thickness of the mixture will mostly depend on the amount of watermelon you add, but the taste will be great regardless of the thickness.
Pour the mixture into silicone ice cubes or cake molds and leave to freeze for two hours.
Although it should not be a regular part of a dog’s diet, watermelon, in moderation, is nutritious for dogs. However, don’t forget to remove the peel and all the large seeds before chopping watermelon.
Small amounts of coconut milk are safe for dogs, but make sure they are free of preservatives, added sugars, and fats.
However, if you don’t want to use coconut milk, you can replace it with yogurt.
- Frozen Treat With Pumpkin
For this healthy and delicious treat, you will need half a cup of pumpkin puree, a cup of coconut oil, and two tablespoons of ground ginger.
First, mix the pumpkin puree and coconut oil and heat the mixture low to melt the coconut oil.
Place a little ground ginger in each section of the silicone mold, then pour in the mixture of pumpkin puree and coconut oil.
Place the silicone treat mold in the freezer for two hours, then serve it to your dog.
Pumpkin is excellent for digestion and contains a lot of fiber, while ginger can be beneficial if your dog has an upset stomach.
Baked Dog Treat Recipes
In addition to no-bake treat recipes, many 3-ingredient recipes for delicious dog treats require baking.
While no-bake treats generally contain ingredients like fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, and yogurt, the list of foods you can use for baked dog treats is longer.
For example, you’ll notice that all the recipes on the previous list are no-oats because raw oats can negatively affect a dog’s digestion and cause stomach problems.
On the other hand, if you’re baking treats for your dog, feel free to use oats.
Oats contain a lot of B vitamins and omega-6 fatty acids. Oatmeal is also good for digestion and lowers cholesterol levels.
Here are some recipes for dog treats you can bake using proven ingredients to replace store-bought treats.
Besides being a great pleasure for your dog because they are prepared with love, these treats are also a great way to reduce the problem of food waste.
- Oats, Apples, and Peanut Butter Treat
Use oats, peanut butter, and cooked apples for this recipe.
You can, but you don’t have to peel the apples, but be sure to remove the seeds and core.
Make sure the peanut butter is natural, without xylitol or harmful additives.
Blend the cooked apples, peanut butter, and oats in a food processor until smooth.
Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 0.5 cm and cut it into the desired shapes using a knife or cookie cutter.
Arrange the treats on a tray and place them in an oven preheated to 120°C (250°F).
Bake them for two hours, so they are entirely dehydrated, and you can store them at room temperature.
You can also make these crunchy treats using other fruits or vegetables instead of apples. For example, you can use pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, banana, or other dog-safe fruit or vegetable.
Also, to make this treat without oats, use other grains, like brown rice, millet, or quinoa.
- Cheese Treats for Dogs
For this treat that all furry cheese lovers will adore, you will need one cup of cheddar cheese, one cup of rolled oats, and two eggs.
Mix the cheese and oats in a food processor or blender until the grains are ground, then transfer this mixture to a bowl and add two eggs.
Mix by hand until the dough is thoroughly combined.
Make balls from the dough or roll it out and cut it into the desired shapes with a cookie cutter or knife.
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and arrange the treats in a baking tray covered with baking paper.
Bake the treats for 15 minutes, then let them cool and serve.
You can store excess treats in a suitable glass or plastic airtight container.
- Chicken Delicacies
This recipe requires a little more time and effort, but your dog will love it!
From the ingredients prescribed in the recipe, you can make 30 treats that can last up to two weeks if you store them properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The three ingredients for these treats are chicken breasts, ground flax, and water.
Boil 200 grams of diced chicken breasts in water.
Pour the cooked chicken and the water in which you cooked it into the blender and mix until you get a doughy mixture.
Add two cups of ground flax and mix again.
Roll out the resulting mixture and divide it into 30 equal parts.
Bake them for about twenty minutes in an oven preheated to 175°C (350°F).
Once baked, let the treats cool before giving them to your dog, and save the rest for the next few days.
If you don’t want to use flax, you can replace it with rice bran or oat bran.
- Crispy Treats Made From Chicken Broth
You need whole wheat flour, chicken broth, and oil for this delicacy.
Mix 250 grams of whole wheat flour, a third of a cup of chicken broth, and three tablespoons of oil in a bowl.
Roll out the resulting mixture and cut it with a knife or cookie cutter.
Arrange the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for twenty minutes in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F).
You will get crunchy biscuits that your dog will love.
Instead of whole wheat flour, you can use any other flour suitable for dogs. For example, we suggest oat flour, chickpea flour, or almond flour.
- Tuna Treats
If your dog is a fish lover, he will love this treat.
Tuna can be very healthy for dogs, but you must take care not to use tuna packed in oil or salt water, but only tuna packed in freshwater without added salt.
You need one can of tuna, two eggs, and 180 grams of whole wheat flour.
In a blender or food processor, place the two eggs and tuna along with the water from the can. Mix, then add the flour and continue to mix until the mixture becomes compact.
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
Pour the egg, flour, and tuna mixture into a baking dish and bake in the oven for about 5 minutes.
When the mixture has cooled, cut it into squares of the desired size and make your dog happy.
You can store these delicacies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for seven days, and if you decide to freeze them, use them within three months.
Benefits of Homemade Dog Treats
In recent years, awareness of the importance of healthy dog nutrition has grown considerably.
Dog owners have become aware that they can influence the well-being of their pets if they take care of the origin and quality of the food they feed them.
A healthy diet is not only a matter of health but also of the energy and mood of the pet.
Homemade dog treats contain fresher, healthier, and more natural ingredients than store-bought treats.
Homemade treats don’t contain harmful additives or hidden chemicals that are not good for dogs.
Also, while store-bought treats can sit on the shelf for weeks or even months, homemade treats are always fresher and, therefore, better for your dog.
Preparing homemade treats for your furry friend can be a pleasure if you enjoy cooking, baking, and kitchen work. Also, if you have children, let them help. It teaches them responsibility and empathy and improves their skills.
We should not forget one more important thing. It may sound like a simple phrase, but homemade dog treats are made with love, and that’s the ingredient that makes every food perfect!
What Foods Are Not Safe for Dogs?
If you have embarked on the adventure of preparing homemade treats for your dog, you may, at some point, want to experiment a little with the ingredients and create some new recipes.
Go ahead, but make sure you know what foods dogs can and can’t eat.
Here is a list of some of the foods that are not safe for dogs to eat:
- Chocolate
- Avocados
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapes and Raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Garlic
- Onions
- Alcohol
- Caffeine.
Also, if you’re unsure if a food is suitable for your dog, it’s always safest to check with your vet first.
Summary
In this article, we have presented ten simple recipes for homemade treats for dogs.
Each of these recipes requires only three ingredients.
The first five recipes on this list do not require baking, so these treats are ideal for the summer heat. The other five recipes are for baked treats, so we recommend trying them on colder days.
Adapt the recipes to your dog’s nutritional needs.
Also, consider the breed, size, and age of your dog, as this also affects the choice of ingredients and the appropriate amount. For example, a puppy has different nutritional needs than an adult dog, and a Bichon certainly can’t eat the same amount as a Husky.
If you have questions regarding the specifics of the diet of a particular breed of dog, it is safest to consult a veterinarian first.
