Alternatives to Store-Bought Dog Treats

Store-bought dog treats are often made primarily with wheat as the main ingredient. Many dogs have intolerance to wheat products (which includes wheat) and may even have allergies to them. In this case, find an alternative to feeding store-bought dog treats that may contain an allergen. Your dog may also have intolerance to other ingredients or you may just prefer to feed a more natural alternative.

  1. Homemade Cookies

    • Instead of feeding your dog milk bones, make cookies for it. Since you control the ingredients, you know what is in them and can leave out the things that your dog might be allergic to or might have intolerance for. Find several different recipes for crunchy cookies or make up your own recipe (see Resources).

    Recreational Bones

    • Recreational bones -- as opposed to raw meaty bones used for a meal --- are raw bones that are too large for a dog to eat. The dog can gnaw on the bones and will spend hours trying to get the marrow out. Find recreational bones at most butcher shops or meat counters in supermarkets.

    Homemade Bony Treats

    • A favorite crunchy treat for many dogs is dried chicken feet. Sometimes local supermarkets carry raw chicken feet, but if not, ask at the butcher shop or see if the supermarket will order them. Stick the chicken feet in a dehydrator on the meat setting and dry them until they are completely done. Depending on the dehydrator and its setting, this could take 15 or more hours.

    Dried Jerky Trest

    • Purchase cheap cuts of meat, whether they are chicken, pork, beef, lamb or venison. Cut the meat into thin strips, then arrange them in a dehydrator. Follow the instructions for your dehydrator to completely dry the treats. If you do not have a dehydrator, spread the treats on a cookie sheet and bake them at 285 degrees until they are completely dry. Depending on the thickness of the cut and your oven, this could take up to 20 hours.

    Conclusion

    • When making your own treats, take into consideration your dog's eating habits and food allergies or intolerances. You can adjust recipes to substitute one product for another. When feeding recreational bones, know your dog. Your dog should always be supervised, especially if it is a power chewer (a dog that can chew through anything). A power chewer could easily splinter large bones, which could break or crack teeth or cause the dog to choke. If you notice your dog is splintering the bone, take the bone away.