We want to hear from you!
Do you have a homemade dog treat recipe your pup absolutely loves? Please share it in the comments below!

Coming soon: We’ll be releasing a FREE Wags & Wiggles Dog Treat Recipe Book, featuring staff favorites and recipes shared by our community, and your recipe might be included, too!

Not sure what kind of recipes we’re looking for? Keep reading 👇

What Makes a Great Treat Recipe for Dogs?

Homemade dog treats are more popular than ever—but not every recipe is created equal. A great dog treat recipe balances safety, nutrition, texture, and practicality so you can feel confident using it for training, enrichment, or everyday rewards.

Whether you’re baking for fun or looking for better treat options, here’s what actually matters when choosing or creating treats for your dog.

1. Safe, Dog-Friendly Ingredients (Non-Negotiable)

Safety always comes first. Some common human foods can be dangerous for dogs and should never be used in treats.

Always avoid:

Xylitol
Chocolate or cocoa
Grapes or raisins
Onions, garlic, or chives
Excess salt, sugar, or artificial sweeteners

Great safe staples include:

Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
Pumpkin (plain, canned, or cooked)
Sweet potato
Oats or oat flour
Eggs
Apples (no seeds)
Blueberries
Carrots
Plain Greek yogurt

When you stick to simple, recognizable ingredients, you reduce the risk of tummy trouble and food sensitivities.

2. Keep the Ingredient List Simple

The best dog treat recipes usually have five ingredients or fewer.

Why simple works better for you:

Easier on sensitive stomachs
Easier to trust
Easier to recreate consistently
Easier to store and portion

Your dog doesn’t need complex flavors—simple recipes often work best.

3. Know the Purpose of the Treat

Before you bake, ask yourself: What are you using this treat for?

Different goals call for different recipes:

Training treats: small, soft, and low-calorie
Everyday snacks: balanced protein and carbs
Specialty treats:
- Pumpkin → supports digestion
- Omega-rich ingredients → skin & coat health
- Protein-forward recipes → active dogs

Treats should always supplement meals, not replace them.

4. Texture Matters More Than Looks

Your dog cares far more about smell and texture than how a treat looks.

Popular textures include:

Soft and chewy: perfect for training and senior dogs
Crunchy: satisfying and great for enrichment
Breakable: easy to portion (especially helpful for training or daycare settings like Wags & Wiggles)

If you can easily break treats into tiny pieces, you’ll get a lot more value out of them.

5. Portion Control & Calorie Awareness

A great treat recipe makes portion control easy.

Look for treats that:

Can be cut into bite-sized pieces
Don’t rely on heavy fats or sugar
Can be fed frequently without overdoing calories

A good rule of thumb: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

6. Easy to Make, Easy to Store

If a recipe is too complicated, you probably won’t make it again.

The most practical recipes:

Use pantry staples
Are bake or no-bake
Store well in the fridge or freezer
Don’t crumble into dust immediately

If it’s easy for you, it’s more likely to become a go-to favorite.

7. Don’t Forget! You Have to Like It Too

A great dog treat recipe should appeal to you as well.

You’re more likely to reuse a recipe when it:

Uses clean, recognizable ingredients
Feels “human-grade”
Smells pleasant (no stinky treats!)
Has clear benefits, like being great for training or gentle on sensitive tummies

When you love the recipe, your dog benefits from consistency.

Example Recipe: Pumpkin & Tuna Brownies (Staff Favorite!)

Here’s an example of the kind of recipe we love—simple, functional, and easy to portion.

Pumpkin & Tuna Brownies

Ingredients:

2 cans tuna (in water)
2 tablespoons oil
1 egg
½ cup pumpkin
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
2 cups flour

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
Gradually add flour until the mixture reaches a brownie-like consistency.
Spread evenly onto a silicone nonstick baking mat using a spatula.
Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.
Allow to cool, then pop treats out and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Silicone baking mats make this process much easier and help prevent sticking.
👉 You can find the mats we use here: https://a.co/d/gGbm0OW

Don't Forget to Share Your Recipe With Us!

🐶 Have a treat recipe your dog goes wild for? Please share it in the comments below!

Miscellaneous Dog

Share Your Favorite Dog Treat Recipe!