14 Dog Treat Recipes to Bolster your Dog’s Diet

Looking for a way to spruce up your dog’s diet? These simple dog treat recipes will help you sneak valuable nutrients into your dog’s diet.

It’s a common myth that all dogs should eat the same diet. We see it right on the packaging. Adult food, all life stages - these are just some of the terms used to categorize dogs, but we know that every dog is different and so are their dietary needs.

We need to look at each pet’s individual needs to determine how their diet can be modified or supplemented to keep them healthy.

There are foods for allergies, digestion, and mobility but these formulas are still pretty generalized and don’t work for every pet. This is why customizing your pet’s diet with nutrient dense foods and natural health supplements can make a huge difference in their overall quality of life.

Supplementing Made Easy

While supplements are beneficial, they aren’t always that tasty. Adding them to your dog’s food may make his dinner less appetizing, so sometimes you need to find alternative ways to sneak in these healthy ingredients.

Treats are an excellent way to supplement extra nutrients into your dog’s diet, but many commercial treats don’t use the right ingredients, or at least not enough of them. Making your own treats allows you to appropriately dose your pooch with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients he needs to stay healthy.

Recipes to Bolster your Dog’s Bowl

Not everyone is adept in the kitchen, but don’t worry, you don’t need to be a Michelin star chef to make these homemade dog treat recipes. We recommend investing is a freezer and oven-safe silicone treat mold to make uniform treats that are easy to dose. 

Select one of the common health issues from the table of contents and jump to our favourite dog treat recipes to help you customize your dog’s diet and boost his health.

Immunity and Defense

A strong immune system can help fight off disease and illness, but your dog’s immune system plays a much bigger role in overall health. In fact, every system in your dog’s body relies on a healthy immune system to run at peak efficiency.

A poor immune system can lead to chronic illness, skin and coat issues, poor digestion, and signs of ageing. Here are two healthy dog treat recipes to help boost your dog’s immune system:

1. Bone Broth Boosters

For more information about the benefits of kelp, check out Kelp for Dogs: The Power of Seaweed.

2. Chicken Meatballs

Turmeric is is loaded with antioxidants to help boost your dog's immune system, but the benefits don't stop their. Find out how else Turmeric for Dogs can help improve your dog's health.

Brain Fuel

Feeding your dog foods that help fuel their brain are essential to day-to-day function but are especially important during developmental stages and senior years. This can help to support growth and also slow the signs of ageing and deterioration. Give your dog go an energy boost with the following easy dog treat recipes.

3. Frozen Energy Bites

Tripe is a popular meal topper choice for dogs. Find out more about it’s benefits in What Are the Benefits of Tripe for Dogs?

4. Sardine Sliders

Sardines are one of the best sources of omega fatty acids for dogs. Check out Can Dogs Eat Sardines? To find out more.

Digestion Support

Dogs that experience regular digestive issues will benefit from this meal booster. Supporting healthy digestion can help improve your dog’s weight, metabolism, and support their immune system.

A mixture of fibre and healthy bacteria can regulate the speed of digestion and nutrients distribution. Support your dog’s digestive system with the following best dog treat recipes.

5. Goat's Milk Tummy Toppers

Pumpkin is a highly nutritious food that dogs love. Learn about all the Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs.

6. Banana Pudding

Bananas are just one of the fruits that are both safe and nutritious for dogs. Check out our Top 10 Fruits Your Dog Can Eat.

Hip and Joint Care

Dogs of all sizes can suffer from mobility issues. As dog’s age their connective tissues can weaken, and inflammation can make activity painful. Supporting their joints with anti-inflammatory and collagen can help to reduce pain, increase mobility, and prevent further deterioration.

The following dog treat recipe can give your pet an extra boost of nutrients to promote healthy hips and joints.

7. Frozen Hip Helpers

Reducing inflammation is the best way to improve mobility and reduce pain associated with hip and joint issues. To find out more, check out Green Lipped Mussel for Dogs to learn all the benefits and uses.

Skin and Coat Support

Poor skin and coat health can be caused by a number of dietary issues, allergies, or environmental factors. Offer foods and supplements that can condition your dog’s skin and coat to reduce skin issues and prevent itchiness, hot spots, and dry or dull fur.

Try these dog treat recipes as an aid for skin and coat health.

8. Pumpkin Coat Conditions

9. Peanut Butter and Coconut Bites

Skin and coat health is just one of the many benefits of coconut oil. Check out everything you need to know coconut oil for dogs.

Kidney and Urinary Care

One often forgotten system in your dog’s body is his urinary tract. Most of us don’t think about kidney and urinary care until there is a problem. These simple dog treat recipes are helpful for managing recurring urinary care issues and to act preventatively to protect your dog’s urinary health.

10. Cranberry Bladder Bombs

Cranimals Original is a pure cranberry powder supplement that can be added to any diet. Cranberry prevents bacteria from accumulating on the walls of the bladder. Build up of bacteria and toxins can lead to recurring urinary tract infections and other urinary health issues. 

11. PB and Cran Balls

There are lots of human foods that dogs love, but not all of them are safe. Make sure you use dog-safe peanut butters, like Hero Peanut Butter, that is free of xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs. 

Detox Recipe

Overtime, bacteria, and toxins can build up in your dog’s body. Environment and long-term use of prescription medications can lead to further build up. A routine detox can help to flush out this build up and will lead to better overall liver function and a healthier immune system.

The following dog treat recipe is a great way to cleanse your doggo’s system and improve his overall health.

12. Green Detox Topper

Detoxes should be done 1-2 times per year, for 3-6 weeks at a time. Check out Milk Thistle for Dogs for more information.

Dental Care

Whether you are trying to curb your dog’s nasty breath or just looking ways to enhance his regular dental care routines, many superfood ingredients can help to naturally reduce bacteria that can cause bad breath and plaque build up. Try the following dog treat recipes for dental health.

13. Coconut Breath Busters

These goodies can help to reduce bacteria and bad breath, but toothbrushing should always be the foundation of your dog's total dental care routine. Our 10 Tips for Brushing your Dog's Teeth can help simplify the process. 

14 . Minty Meatballs

Bad dog breath can be a real bummer. Check out How to Get Rid of Bad Dog Breath to improve your dog’s dental health.

Dog Treat Recipe Tips

Dosing supplements should be done based on your dog’s weight. The measurements in our recipes can be adjusted to suit your dog’s size and needs. Consider how large your batch is and how many you will be offering to your pet each day.

Our recipes are based on the average daily needs of a medium-sized dog – about 40 lbs. These recipes may be too nutrient dense for smaller breeds, so you may need to adjust your supplements to better suit your dog's individual needs. 

These recipes make delicious treats, but you can use these dog treats as tasty food toppers to help incorporate more nutrients into each meal.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are some easy homemade dog treat recipes for beginners? 

Simple recipes like peanut butter and banana treats or pumpkin and oat biscuits are great options for novice bakers.

Are there any ingredients I should avoid in homemade dog treats? 

Avoid using ingredients like chocolate, onions, grapes, and raisins, which can be toxic to dogs. Always double-check ingredient safety.

Can I customize homemade dog treat recipes for my dog's dietary needs or preferences? 

You can tailor recipes by using alternative ingredients to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as grain-free or low-fat options.

How should I store homemade dog treats to keep them fresh? 

Store homemade treats in an airtight container or resealable bags in a cool, dry place. Some treats may require refrigeration if they contain perishable ingredients.

Are there any homemade dog treat recipes suitable for dogs with food allergies? 

You can find allergy-friendly recipes using hypoallergenic ingredients like sweet potatoes and rice flour or alternative protein sources like salmon or turkey.

Can homemade dog treats be used for training purposes? 

Homemade treats are excellent for training because you can control the ingredients and size. Cut them into small, bite-sized delicious pieces for fast treats.