Homemade treats shouldn’t feel like pastry school. We keep them simple (≤5 ingredients), gentle on tummies, and practical for weekly baking. These are Ethan-approved recipes we rotate for training and quick rewards—smell great, snap cleanly, and don’t leave mystery crumbs all over the couch.
Red flag — call your vet: history of pancreatitis, persistent vomiting/diarrhea, uncontrolled allergies, or sudden weight change. Treats should be ≤10% of daily calories, especially for small and senior dogs.
Why We Bake Treats at Home
Store-bought snacks often hide extra salt, sugar, or emulsifiers, which can upset sensitive tummies or add empty calories. By baking at home, we keep the recipe short, use vet-approved ingredients, and tailor textures—crunchy for training, soft for seniors. It also fits neatly with our homemade sensitive-stomach meals, so Ethan’s daily diet stays consistent.
When allergies flare, we lean toward limited-ingredient approaches that avoid hidden triggers. Baking our own treats makes it easy to test single proteins or swap carbs like pumpkin and sweet potato. For weight-prone pups, pairing homemade bites with the routines from our weight-control guide helps keep calories balanced without losing joy at snack time.
And honestly? The biggest win is seeing Ethan’s excitement. He runs to the kitchen the moment the oven timer beeps—proof that our picky-eater strategies actually work. Baking at home isn’t just healthier; it’s a bonding ritual, blending nutrition with family fun.
Core Ingredients (5 or Fewer)
| Ingredient | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin purée | Fiber & moisture | Plain, unsweetened; helps stool quality |
| Rolled oats / oat flour | Structure | Gentle carb; grind oats for smoother dough |
| Egg | Binder | Adds protein; replace with water + flax slurry if needed |
| Peanut butter | Flavor & fats | No xylitol; choose unsalted, unsweetened |
| Chicken breast | Lean protein | For jerky/chews; bake low & slow |
Recipe 1: Pumpkin–Oat Training Biscuits
Small, snappy, and fragrant—great for frequent rewards without loading on calories.
Printable card below (WPRM). Full method is mirrored here for readability.
- Ingredients (makes ~70 mini bites): 3/4 cup pumpkin purée, 1 cup finely ground oats, 1 egg, 1 tbsp unsweetened peanut butter, 1–2 tbsp water as needed
- Steps: Preheat to 170°C/340°F. Mix all ingredients to a soft dough. Roll 0.5 cm thick; cut tiny squares. Bake 14–18 min until firm at edges. Cool fully for snap.
- Why it works: Fiber from pumpkin helps stool quality; oats are gentle; PB boosts aroma for picky pups.
Recipe 2: Peanut Butter–Banana Soft Bites
Soft, two-bite treats for puppies and seniors—no teeth heroics required.
- Ingredients: 1 ripe banana (mashed), 2 tbsp peanut butter, 1 egg, 1 cup oat flour
- Steps: Oven 160°C/320°F. Mix to thick batter. Scoop 1 tsp mounds on lined tray. Bake 12–15 min till set yet soft.
- Tip: For extra softness, pull at 12–13 min and cool on tray.
Recipe 3: Simple Chicken & Carrot Chews
High-value protein chews with a bit of veggie sweetness—perfect for post-walk calm.
- Ingredients: 1 chicken breast (thinly sliced), 1 small carrot (ribbons)
- Steps: Toss with a little water only. Bake on a rack at 95–110°C / 200–230°F for 1.5–2.5 hrs until dry and leathery. Cool completely.
- Safety: Keep pieces thumb-nail small for gulpers; store chilled.
Storage: Room temp airtight 5–7 days (dry biscuits), refrigerated 2 weeks, frozen up to 3 months. Dehydrated meats need refrigeration and strict cleanliness.
Feeding Guidance (Keep Treats ≤10%)
| Dog Size | Daily Treat Budget | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Small (≤10 kg / 22 lb) | 2–3 mini biscuits or 1–2 soft bites | Break pieces for training |
| Medium (10–25 kg / 22–55 lb) | 4–6 mini biscuits or 2–3 soft bites | Mix crunchy & soft |
| Large (25–40 kg / 55–88 lb) | 6–10 mini biscuits or 3–4 soft bites | Add 1–2 chicken chews |
Ethan’s Taste Test & Vet Notes
Ethan’s verdict: pumpkin bites = instant sit; soft PB–banana helps calm after nail trims; chicken chews are weekend heroes. We log stools, weight, and training progress weekly.
Vet notes: Avoid xylitol, grape/raisin, chocolate, onion/garlic, excess salt/fats. For sensitive stomachs, start with tiny portions for 2–3 days and keep variables steady.
Easy Variations
- Swap pumpkin → mashed sweet potato (similar fiber, slightly sweeter)
- Swap PB → 100% tahini or mashed banana for lower-fat option
- Boost aroma → crumble a dog-safe probiotic topper over soft bites after baking
Use the card below to print or save. Adjust serving size in the card to scale batches.
Print what you want
- – Mixing bowl
- Rolling Pin
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Oven
- Servings: ~70 mini biscuits
- Time:
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- 3/4 cup pumpkin purée plain, unsweetened
- 1 cup oat flour or finely ground rolled oats
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp peanut butter unsalted, no xylitol
- 1 –2 tbsp water as needed for dough
- Preheat oven to 170°C / 340°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together pumpkin, egg, and peanut butter.
- Add oat flour and stir into a soft dough. Add water if too dry.
- Roll dough to about 0.5 cm thick, cut into mini squares or shapes.
- Bake 14–18 minutes until edges are firm. Cool fully on a wire rack.
- Store in an airtight container at room temp (5–7 days) or freeze for longer.
• Introduce gradually for sensitive stomachs.
• For softer bites, reduce bake time to 12–13 minutes. Nutrition (per mini biscuit, approximate):
• Calories: 6 kcal
• Protein: 0.2 g
• Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 0.9 g
FAQ
Keep treats under 10% of daily calories. On training days, make pieces smaller and subtract a little from dinner. For weight management ideas, see our weight-control guide.
Yes in tiny pieces once your vet confirms solid-food tolerance. Prioritize balanced puppy meals; treats are only for rewards. See our puppy homemade guide.
Crunchy snaps are tidy and great for rapid training; soft bites suit puppies and seniors. Shorten bake time for softer texture, lengthen for extra snap.
No xylitol, chocolate, grapes/raisins, onion/garlic, excess salt or fats. For sensitive stomachs, stick to pumpkin, oats, and simple proteins—see our gentle wet picks.
If you’d rather not bake weekly, we keep a rotation of gentle store-bought options on hand—see our picky-eater guide and sensitive-stomach dry picks.
Related Guides
Follow PawPrinted On Pinterest
“Want more dog food recipes, grooming hacks, and health tips? Follow us on Pinterest and save your favorite ideas — we share fresh inspo every week!”.
