April 27th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

We all love to treat ourselves every now and then – when we have done a good job, feeling tired or maybe we just have a little bit of a sweet craving -but what about our dogs? I know that you love your dog just as much as you love yourself and you probably want to treat them from time to time while there are plenty of treats available to buy off the shelf why not take the time to treat your furry friend to some delicious homemade sweet treats? So here are 5 treats your furry friend will love:

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a great healthy treat for dogs it contains protein, which will help your dog's muscles stay strong and maintain a healthy weight. You can mix peanut butter with other foods to make it more interesting for your pup--for example, adding banana slices or raisins will give them an extra boost of vitamins!

When purchasing peanut butter look for one without added sugars or salt. Some brands also add unnecessary preservatives that aren't good for Fido's tummy either so try to find the most natural and additive-free brand. Here’s a great recipe to try:

Peanut Butter and Banana Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup whole wheat flour

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• In a mixing bowl, mash the banana with a fork.
• Add the peanut butter and water and stir to combine.
• Add the flour and mix until a dough forms.
• Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into shapes.
• Place the biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt, especially Greek yoghurt is a great source of calcium, protein and probiotics all of which are incredibly beneficial to your dog’s system plus it tastes delicious too! However, some dogs do struggle to digest lactose so this should only be used as a special treat on occasion!  Much like peanut butter always try to choose the most natural yoghurt you can with no additives, flavourings and added sugars if possible. Add in some fruits such as raisins, berries and blueberries for natural sweetness and a boost of vitamins. Try it yourself:

Frozen Yoghurt and Berry Treat

Ingredients:

• Natural Greek Yoghurt (100g)
• Blueberries (10 Diced)
• Raspberries (10 Diced)

Directions:

• Place a thin layer of yoghurt on the base of your mould or ice cube tray
• Spread some of the diced fruits on this layer
• Top up the rest with more yoghurt and gently tap to remove air bubbles
• Place in the freezer overnight

If your pup loves these delicious frozen treats then why not try mixing in some different fruits such as strawberries, bananas or peaches.

Chocolate Alternatives

As well all know chocolates are generally not safe for dogs and this is a well-known fact, this is because chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and can be incredibly dangerous especially if digested in large amounts. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for dogs. Therefore, it's best to avoid giving any kind of chocolate to your pooch, however, there is a fantastic alternative to chocolate known as Carbo which is safe for both dogs and humans! Carbo contains antioxidants and is high in fibre so is a great way to get some extra fibre into your pup’s diet too.

There is a wide range of easy-to-make recipes for carbo online from ‘Chocolate’ covered strawberries to ‘chocolate’ and banana muffins! However, our favourite recipes are quick and easy and require no baking!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bites

Ingredients

• Coconut oil (200g divided into 2 separate containers)
• Carbo Powder (3 tbsp)
• Peanut Butter (100g)

Directions

• Melt one portion of the coconut oil in a bowl 
• Add 3 tbsp of carbo powder and mix to form a melted chocolate-like texture
• Place in your treat mould or ice cube tray filling it about halfway up
• Place in the fridge and allow to set for around 30 minutes
• While the first layer is in the fridge melt the second portion of coconut oil
• Add 100g peanut butter and mix until melted together
• Remove the mould from the fridge and ensure it has set before filling up the rest of the mould with the peanut mixture
• Tap to ensure there are no air bubbles and even coverage
• Place back in the fridge unit completely set

Apple Chips

Apple slices are a great snack for your dog, they are packed full of vitamin A and vitamin C as well as fibre so adding apples into your dog’s diet is a fantastic idea. Not only do they make a delicious treat for your pup while given raw but they can also be made into a yummy crispy treat very easily! These treats will last longer than fresh sliced apples and you can freeze them in advance and have them ready when you need them.

Apple Crips

Ingredients:

• 1 or 2 apples (Depending on how many crisps you want to make)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 120°C

• Core your apples before cutting them in half
• Then using a sharp knife slice them into 0.5cm slices
• Place slice apple slice onto a baking tray lined with parchment
• Cook apple slices for 40 minutes
• Leave to cool – chips will crisp as they cool
• Store in an air-tight container (can freeze for u to 3 months)

We hope you enjoyed our list of delicious homemade sweet treats – we are sure your pup will love these and if you enjoy making these treats for your best friend then there are even more amazing recipes out there to try, in fact, we’ve barely scratched the surface! So, if you really want to get creative then don’t hesitate to branch out!