Making dog treats at home can be a fun activity for you and the kids!  To choose which ones to make, make sure that you choose recipes for dog treats with healthy ingredients, and a recipe that you know your dog will love!  However, be aware that each dog has special and individual needs, so review each recipe to be sure that it is appropriate for your dog.

When making homemade dog treats, be sure to avoid the following ingredients, as they are unhealthy and even harmful to many dogs:

• Grapes and raisins
• Onions
• Garlic
• Chocolate
• Artificial sweeteners or artificial fats
• Raw meat, which can contain bacteria, salmonella, parasites or viruses

And some ingredients that are healthy for dogs:

• Meats
• Poultry
• Organ meats, liver (but do not overuse)
• Eggs
• Cultured dairy products such as yogurt, buttermilk, cheese
• Complex carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, beans, legumes
• Fiber sources such as bran, fresh vegetables, whole-grains

Here’s a peanut butter recipe dog treat that’s both tasty and healthy.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups white flour
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (all-natural or organic)
• 1 cup dogdration
• 2 tablespoons oil

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Combine oil, peanut butter and water.
2. Add flour, one cup at a time, forming a dough.
3. Knead dough into firm ball and roll to 1/4 inch thickness.
4. Cut dough into 3 to 4 inch pieces. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Your dog will greatly appreciate these discount dog treats, which take only about 20 minutes to prepare, with very simple steps and ingredients that can probably already be found in your pantry.