Homemade Cookies for Dogs: 4 Easy Recipes

Whipping up tasty, DIY dog treats for your pet can be done in a snap. A batch of homemade dog biscuits are a tasty and thoughtful way of showing your pup just how much they mean to you. With cookie cutters shaped like dog bones, these treats become even more irresistible! Before you begin baking, ensure that you aren’t using ingredients that could cause allergies or upset your dog's stomach. Remember that these treats should also not exceed 10% of your pup’s diet.

Here are 4 of our favorite homemade dog treat recipes that will delight your furry friend:

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Start building your baking skills with this batch of easy-to-make-and-appreciate homemade dog biscuits

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup brewers yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
• 1 cup chicken, beef or vegetable stock

Directions:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare two to three baking sheets by greasing them lightly or placing down parchment paper.
• 2. In a medium bowl, combine the first four ingredients.
• 3. Add your oil to a large mixing bowl.
• 4. Add the flour mixture and the stock into the oil, beating until the dough is well-mixed.
• 5. Shape the dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle.
• 6. Using a two-inch biscuit cutter, cut the dough into rounds. (Or use a cookie cutter with a dog-biscuit shape). Transfer the biscuits to the greased baking sheets.
• 7. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the biscuits are well-browned.
• 8. Turn off the heat and allow the biscuits to dry in the oven for several hours or overnight. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Makes about two dozen delicious homemade dog biscuits.

Chicken Liver Cookies for Dogs

Yes, we have different ideas about what goes into a cookie recipe than our pets, but trust us, your dog will find these appetizing.

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup wheat germ, or 1 cup cornmeal, or 1/2 cup of each
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup chopped chicken livers, cooked

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour and wheat germ or cornmeal.3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg with the oil, then add the broth and parsley, mixing well.4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a little at a time, stirring to combine.5. Fold in the chicken livers.6. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it briefly. The dough will be firm. Roll the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch, and cut it into desired shapes.7. Place cookies one inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake for 15 minutes or until firm.8. Cool completely before serving. Store cookies in the refrigerator or freezer.

Makes about 24 small or 15 medium-sized dog cookies.

Chicken Crunchies

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups rye flour
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon dried kelp or alfalfa
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or beef broth
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 to 2 tablespoons brewer's yeast

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.2. In a large bowl, combine the first six dry ingredients.3. Slowly add oil, broth, and chicken, mixing well.4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then place it on a greased cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown.5. Cool completely, then break into bite-sized pieces.6. Place pieces in a bag with the brewer's yeast and shake to coat.7. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Makes two to three dozen dog treats.

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 medium eggs
• 1/4 cup natural crunchy peanut butter (Avoid foods that include xylitol, as it is toxic to dogs)
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup unbleached flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 3/4 cup rolled oats

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.2. In a medium bowl, mix the water, oil, eggs, peanut butter and vanilla.3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.4. Roll the dough into a ball and place it on a sheet of floured wax paper. Roll or pat out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch.5. Cut the dough with a cookie cutter (preferably one shaped like a dog biscuit) and place the biscuits on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.6. Turn off the heat and leave the biscuits in the oven for one hour.

Makes one to two dozen biscuits, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homemade cookies safe for dogs? Homemade dog cookies can be a wholesome addition to your dog's treat rotation — as long as you use dog-friendly ingredients, keep portions in check, and store them properly. Always check every ingredient before baking, and consult your veterinarian if your dog has a known food sensitivity, a health condition, or is on a prescription diet. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

What ingredients should I never put in dog cookies? Several common baking ingredients are toxic to dogs and must be avoided entirely: xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in some peanut butters and sugar-free products), chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, onion, and garlic in large amounts. Xylitol in particular can cause a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar. When in doubt, check the ASPCA Animal Poison Control resource before adding any new ingredient to a recipe. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

How much of my dog's diet can treats — including homemade cookies — make up? Treats of any kind, homemade or store-bought, should make up no more than 10% of your dog's total daily caloric intake. The remaining 90% should come from a complete and balanced diet formulated to meet your dog's life stage. Overfeeding treats — even nutritious ones — can contribute to weight gain and nutritional imbalance over time. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/ https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/

How long do homemade dog cookies last, and how should I store them? Because homemade dog cookies contain no preservatives, they spoil faster than commercial treats. As a general guideline: store baked dog cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze them for up to 2–3 months for longer shelf life. Always discard any treat that smells off, shows mold, or has an unusual texture before offering it to your dog.

Can all dogs eat homemade cookies? Not necessarily. Dogs with food sensitivities, weight management needs, diabetes, kidney disease, or other health conditions may need modified or restricted treat options. Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs on prescription diets deserve extra care — always loop in your veterinarian before introducing new homemade treats to these pets. Even in healthy adult dogs, ingredients like wheat or eggs can occasionally trigger a reaction, so introduce any new recipe gradually and watch for signs of digestive upset. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-small-animals/nutritional-requirements-of-small-animals

Is peanut butter safe to use in dog cookie recipes? Plain, unsalted peanut butter made without xylitol is generally well-tolerated by most dogs in small amounts. The critical step is reading the label every single time — some peanut butter brands have added xylitol as a sweetener, which is highly toxic to dogs. Choose a peanut butter whose only ingredient is peanuts (or peanuts and a small amount of salt), and use it sparingly as one component of a balanced treat recipe. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.