Homemade Cat and Dog Treats: Quick and Easy Recipes

When you care deeply about your pet’s health, even something as small as choosing a dog treat or biscuits can feel surprisingly complicated. Many store-bought treats are ultra-processed, filled with empty calories, or priced like specialty items. Others have been involved in recalls, leaving many families unsure about what’s truly safe.

Homemade treats offer a straightforward solution. By preparing them yourself, you control the ingredients, avoid unnecessary processing, and ensure every bite supports your pet’s well-being rather than working against it. After more than thirty years as a holistic veterinarian, I’ve seen how these small, intentional choices can create meaningful improvements in a pet’s overall health—and provide real peace of mind.

Whether you’re looking for wholesome homemade dog treat, gentle training bites, or simple, omega-3–rich snacks for cats, these veterinarian-approved recipes are easy to make and built on ingredients you can trust. 

Homemade Pet Treat Recipes

1. Easy Homemade Dog Training Treats

A Soft, High-Value Training Reward

These soft, savory treats are perfect for training sessions. It is packed with protein thanks to mackerel and eggs. Dogs find them highly rewarding, which makes them ideal for positive reinforcement sessions. The texture is easy to cut into tiny pieces, so you can keep calories controlled during training.

Ingredients

• 15-ounce can of mackerel in water
• 3 eggs
• 1 ½ cups flour of your choice (whole wheat flour, coconut flour, all purpose flour, oat flour or gluten-free)
  

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F.
2. Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and purée.
3. Spread the mixture into a rectangle on parchment paper.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until firm but still soft enough to cut.
5. Slice into small squares using a pizza cutter.
6. Freeze remaining pieces and thaw portions as needed for walks or training sessions.
7. Share with your dog friends and become the most popular dog parent at the park!
   
   

Veterinarian Tips

• Storage: Refrigerate for 4 days. Freeze the rest for later use.
• Substitutions: Salmon, sardines, or tuna packed in water can work well. Gluten-free flour works great if your dog has sensitivities.
• Portions: Use bite-sized pieces for training to keep calories appropriate. For extra-soft treats (ideal for seniors), reduce baking time slightly.
  

2. Healthy Homemade Cat Treats with Omega 3s

Omega-3-Rich Bites Even Finicky Cats Approve

Cat parents know the struggle: store-bought treats win on flavor but not on nutritional quality. Sardines offer omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Chia seeds add gentle fiber and moisture. All great for digestion and overall wellness. The final texture is soft, which makes it suitable for senior cats and cats with dental sensitivity.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup water or bone broth
• 1 tin sardines, 3.75 oz
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup baby oatmeal cereal
  

Instructions

1. Soak chia seeds in ⅔ cup of water for 10 minutes.
2. Blend the chia mixture with sardines, oatmeal, and egg.
3. Use a squeeze bottle to fill silicone molds.
4. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
5. Let it cool, then briefly freeze to make the treats easier to remove from the molds.
   

Veterinarian Tips

• Storage: Refrigerate a 4-day supply. Freeze the rest.
• Substitutions: Salmon or mackerel can be used instead of sardines. Bone broth boosts flavor and hydration.
• Portions: These treats are roughly one calorie each, which makes them ideal for training or enrichment. Silicone molds make consistent, easy-to-store treats.

3. Pumpkin Dog Treats

A Seasonal Favorite Packed with Vitamins

Perfect for fall or any time of year, these pumpkin treats provide fiber and flavor without needing to share human holiday dishes. These treats can be baked to a soft or crunchy texture. Either style is appealing to many dogs and is useful for daily training or simple snacking.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• 2 tsp baking soda
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tbsp water
  

Instructions

1. Combine the flour, cinnamon, ginger, and baking soda.
2. Add the melted coconut oil, pumpkin, and water.
3. Mix until a smooth dough forms. Add flour or water as needed.
4. Roll out dough on a floured surface or parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake at 350°F. Bake 10 minutes for soft treats or 25 minutes for crisp treats.
6. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Veterinarian Tips

• Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze extras for long term use.
• Substitutions: Pureed butternut squash can replace pumpkin.
• Portions: Treats should account for no more than 10 percent of daily calories.
  
  

4. DIY Dehydrated Chicken Strips

A Simple, High-Protein Treat Both Cat and Dog Love

These simple jerky-style treats are economical and very appealing to dogs and cats. Dehydrating at a safe temperature produces a crisp texture and reduces the risk of bacteria. Not all dehydrators reach recommended temperatures, so checking your machine’s settings is important.

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Light coating of olive oil
  

Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in the freezer for one hour to make slicing easier.
2. Slice thinly with the grain for the best texture.
3. Lightly coat one side of each strip with olive oil.
4. Arrange slices on dehydrator trays without overlapping.
5. Dehydrate at 170°F for 7 hours.
6. Once done, break into smaller pieces for easy feeding.
   
   

Veterinarian Tips

• Storage: Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Freeze for long storage. Chicken should be completely dry before storing.
• Substitutions: Turkey breast works nicely.
• Portions: Break jerky into small pieces because it is calorie dense.
• The Septree dehydrator produces excellent texture and reaches safe temperatures.
  

General Treat Feeding Guidelines

Introduce new treats gradually

Start with very small amounts. This helps prevent digestive upset and allows you to observe your pet’s tolerance.

Treats should not replace balanced meals

Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of daily calories. If you offer treats regularly, reduce meal portions slightly.

What human foods can dogs not eat?

Certain human foods are harmful to dogs, including chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, and avocados. These can cause serious health issues or even be fatal. Always ensure that any homemade cat and dog treat recipe includes safe ingredients to keep your furry friends healthy and happy while avoiding these dangerous foods.

Avoid unsafe ingredients

Do not include the following in homemade treats:

• Onions or garlic
• Grapes or raisins
• Chocolate
• Xylitol
• Excessive salt
• Raw dough
• Artificial sweeteners or spices that are unsafe for pets
  
  

Use homemade cat and dog treats as enrichment

Treats are most beneficial when part of training, engagement games, and slow feeding activities. This supports both mental and physical wellness and can be enhanced with healthy ingredients like turmeric.

Conclusion

Creating healthy homemade pet treats is a meaningful way to show love and support your pet’s wellness. These recipes offer simple, natural ingredients that can be part of a mindful approach to feeding. While treats are not substitutes for balanced meals, they can complement a thoughtful feeding routine when used in moderation. I encourage you to try them, observe your pet’s preferences, and enjoy the process of preparing something special for the animals who share your life.

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