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When your dog is a picky eater or has a restrictive diet, finding affordable treats can feel challenging. Homemade dog treats offer a simple solution: they’re inexpensive, customizable, and easy to make right in your kitchen.
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Pyramid dog treats, in particular, are popular because they produce hundreds of tiny, training-ready bites in one batch. Before getting started, check with your veterinarian to confirm that your dog can safely enjoy the ingredients you plan to use.
Why Homemade Dog Treats Are Worth Trying
Homemade dog treats have benefits beyond being budget-friendly. Making your own dog treats gives you complete control over what your dog eats. This can be especially helpful for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs. It also allows you to avoid unnecessary additives while tailoring flavors your dog already loves.
Homemade dog snacks can also make great training treats, especially when made in smaller sizes. With just a few pantry staples, you can create nutritious snacks that are both functional and rewarding.
What Are Pyramid Dog Treats?
You can make “pyramid dog treats” using silicone baking mats with small, pyramid-shaped indentations. Although these mats weren’t originally designed for dog treats, they’ve become a favorite among dog owners for their efficiency and ease of use.
You simply pour or spread batter across the mold, ensuring it fills the small cavities. Once baked and cooled, the treats pop out easily. Some molds can produce hundreds of treats in a single batch, making them perfect for frequent training sessions. In addition to pyramid shapes, you can also find molds in fun designs like bones or paw prints.
Best Ingredients to Use for Dog Treat Baking
Another great thing about making homemade dog treats is that you probably already have most of the key ingredients in your house. Many recipes use simple bases like oatmeal, eggs, flour, water, or broth. For added flavor and nutritional benefits, you can incorporate ingredients such as:
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- Pureed pumpkin
- Apples
- Carrots
- Sweet potato
- Cheese
These ingredients can add vitamins, fiber, and protein, making treats both tasty and functional.
Easy Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Once you have a silicone mold, you can start experimenting with different recipes. These beginner-friendly options offer a variety of flavors your dog will love.
Bacon Pyramid Pan Treats
Does your dog love bacon? Try this simple recipe by Michelle Taylor. With just four ingredients, this is a great homemade treat for beginners, one that your dog is sure to love.
Ingredients:
- ½ package of bacon
- 2 eggs
- 150 grams of gluten-free flour
- Water (to thin)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF
- Blend the bacon and eggs
- Add flour. Stir in water if the batter needs to thin.
- Smooth the batter over the baking mat and bake for 8 minutes
- Once cooled, cut the treats into bite-sized pieces or dump out
Baked Chicken Treats
For an easy, no-fuss recipe, try this baked chicken homemade dog treats recipe from Eileen Anderson. Once baked, you can refrigerate or freeze the treats.
Ingredients:
- 1 10-ounce can of chicken, including liquid
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- ½ cup of white flour
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF
- Blend chicken and eggs in a food processor
- Pour the mixture into a bowl, and stir in flour and oil. This batter should be a little thicker than pancake batter but still pourable.
- Spread the batter onto the silicone mold on a cookie sheet, making sure it’s in the holes, and then scrape it off the dividers
- Bake for 12 minutes
- Cool, then remove and refrigerate or freeze
Peanut Butter Treats
Peanut butter is a favorite for many dogs, and a common, tasty ingredient in homemade dog treats. If your dog loves that nutty flavor, give these peanut butter treats from Eileen Anderson a try.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- ½ cup peanut butter powder
- ½ cup white flour
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- ½ cup water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF
- Mix the ingredients until smooth
- Pour the mixture into the pan
- Bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are soft but still drawing away from the side of the pan
- Once cooled, stretch the pan and dump the treats out
Apple-Cheddar Dog Biscuits
To make something a little different and mix in some unique ingredients, take a look at this recipe for apple-cheddar dog biscuits adapted from Martha Stewart.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups barley flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned oatmeal
- ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to ¼-inch thick. Remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3½-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
- Space biscuits 1 inch apart on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
- Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off the oven and place biscuits on a wire rack in the oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Cheese and Sardine Pyramid Pan Dog Treats
These tasty dog treats by Michelle Taylor only have a handful of ingredients and are easy to make. Sardines are a great single-ingredient source of protein, and many dogs can’t resist cheese. It’s a win-win.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of sardines
- 2 eggs
- 150 grams of grated Parmesan cheese
- Handful of roasted vegetables
- 75 grams of tapioca flour (or plain flour)
- Water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 320ºF
- Blend all the ingredients in a blender to make a thick batter. Add water as needed to make thicker.
- Smooth the mixture over the baking mat and bake for about 15 minutes or until crispy
- Once cooled, cut into small pieces
Remember, you should always check with your vet before giving your dog anything other than dog food, commercial dog treats, and prescribed medication. Once you’re in the clear, purchase a fun baking sheet, try a recipe, and rest easy knowing exactly what you’re feeding your dog.
Key Takeaways
- Pyramid dog treats are made using silicone molds that create hundreds of small training treats in a single batch.
- Homemade treats allow owners to customize ingredients for dogs with specific preferences or dietary needs.
- Common ingredients include eggs, flour, pumpkin, chicken, peanut butter, cheese, and sardines.
- Most pyramid treat recipes require only a few ingredients and less than 15 minutes of baking time.
- Consult your veterinarian before introducing new homemade treats or ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are homemade dog treats healthier than store-bought treats?
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Homemade treats allow you to control ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives. Whether they’re healthier depends on the recipe and your dog’s individual nutritional needs.
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What is a pyramid dog treat mold?
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A pyramid mold is a silicone baking mat with many small pyramid-shaped cavities that create bite-sized treats ideal for training.
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How long do homemade dog treats last?
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Storage time depends on the recipe. Some treats can be refrigerated for several days, while others may be frozen for longer-term storage.
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Can I substitute ingredients in homemade dog treat recipes?
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In many cases, yes. However, always verify that replacement ingredients are safe for dogs and appropriate for your dog’s dietary requirements.