Making homemade dog treats can be an enjoyable and simple way to show your canine companion how much they mean to you, while providing them with safe ingredients that meet their specific requirements.
There are various varieties of dog treats on the market, ranging from homemade biscuits to freeze-dried and jerky treats. As some treats may be healthier for your pup than others, be sure to read labels.
Contents
Basic Ingredients
Homemade dog treats offer an economical and healthy solution to treat your furry pal. Plus, these homemade options don’t contain harmful chemicals and preservatives found in commercially made treats.
Flour, eggs and water are key components in creating homemade treats for your pet, with other foods optional for more flavor, crunch and nutrition.
Oats make an excellent ingredient for dog treats because of their high fiber and protein content, both of which help promote digestion in your pup. Oats also contain plenty of proteins to build strength and muscle mass.
Peanut butter is another nutritious treat option that dogs love, but be wary of any added sugar or stabilizers on the label. Also be wary of how much salt you add – too much can be harmful for their health!
Equipment
No matter if you’re baking treats for your own pups or as part of a business venture, having the appropriate tools can make your job much simpler. They may even save both time and money in the long run; therefore it is wise to invest in high quality kitchen tools when starting a pet bakery or simply baking for pets at home.
Homemade dog treats require a heavy-duty mixer to make, so a top-quality model should not easily break. Be sure to shop around and compare prices before making your selection.
Baking sheets – To keep operations running efficiently, multiple baking sheets will be necessary. They’re great for baking multiple batches at the same time and you can preheat them while the first batch bakes.
Your pet will appreciate having extra vitamins and minerals while being treated to something delicious at the same time! Be creative! Create fun combinations of fruits, vegetables and herbs into their treats for extra nutrition while satisfying them as tasty treats at once!
Safety
Make homemade pet treats or sell them, it is vital that you follow certain safety measures. Reading ingredient labels carefully, selecting ingredients carefully, storing items appropriately and keeping track of use-by dates are all vital steps towards providing healthy homemade treats that remain fresh for longer.
Avoid feeding your pet food that contains ingredients known to be toxic for dogs, such as grapes or raisins, chocolate products, onions and garlic as well as milk products containing xylitol (and similar artificial sweeteners), avocado, macadamia nuts or high salt levels.
Before placing baked treats into storage containers, allow them to completely cool before taking steps to transport and store. Treats that have swollen in warm or unintended environments may provide the ideal conditions for bacteria and mold growth, leading to serious health risks for you as a baker!
Storage
Proper storage of dog treats is key to keeping them fresh and nutritious for dogs. When exposed to air, treats lose moisture and become airborne; this changes their flavor, texture, and consistency drastically.
Commercially made dog treats typically use preservatives and low moisture content to prolong shelf life, while homemade biscuits should be frozen and then defrosted before giving to your pet.
Apart from these factors, ambient conditions also play a large part in how long a dog treat lasts in the pantry or fridge. An ideal environment for storing treats would be one that’s cool, dry and dark.
Ideally, when it comes to dog treats storage solutions, upcycling an old metal tin into a stylish treat jar is one way to go. Ceramic treat jars may also work great, being oven-fired for added durability while their chic designs help organize treats in one central spot!
