Customized Canine Biscuits Crafting Biscuits to Suit Your Pet s Preferences

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How to bake for your dog, from biscuits to pupcakes

Are you a dog lover?

Yes, lots of assent out there. Whether you have one (or more) of your own or simply enjoy random meetups with neighboring pups, many of us find ourselves eternally and hopelessly in love with dogs. Childlike in their simplicity but wise beyond their years, they provide many of us with an emotional connection like no other.

Which is why its no surprise that most dogs are bonafide members of their human families. And as such, theyre accorded the same (snacking) rights and privileges including access to regular treats beyond their daily bowl of kibble.

Its simple enough to purchase dog treats; the variety is stunning, and most dogs arent overly picky. But just as you take the time to make your family cookies from scratch even though they're readily available at the supermarket, making homemade dog treats is another way to show you care. You can satisfy your pup and your own desire to get into the kitchen and bake.

Lets take a look at some of the ways you can bake for your dog.

Sadie is a fan of our original dog biscuit mix though she's sometimes hard pressed to decide between the biscuit and the (plush) flour bag.

First, do no harm

Theres conflicting information online about which people-friendly foods you should avoid feeding your dog, but here are the forbidden foods everyone seems to agree on:

alcohol of any kind
chocolate, coffee, or caffeine products (no doggie brownies, please!)
garlic, onions, leeks, or chives
macadamia nuts
grapes and raisins
xylitol (an artificial sweetener)

Thankfully, these few ingredients dont really limit your baking. And there are plenty of human foods that are actually good for dogs (though often only in moderation). This article from the American Kennel Club offers a great roundup of dos and donts when venturing away from Purina chow and into table food: People Foods Dogs Can and Cant Eat.

Kristin Teig

Start simple: Use a dog biscuit mix

Its a relief to turn to a cake or brownie mix when you dont want to rummage through the pantry for ingredients. And our dog biscuit mixes are an equally easy solution for homemade dog treats. Not only are they delicious, but weve worked with an expert in the pet food regulatory industry to make sure our mixes are AAFCO-compliant (read: healthy for dogs). Just add a few basic ingredients; roll or pat the dough flat; cut into your desired shapes (simple squares are fine), and bake. Check out our three pup-approved biscuit mixes:

These cupcakes for dogs (aka pupcakes) are made from our new Dog Biscuit Mix with Pumpkin & Apples.

You can also make either flavor of our new mixes into 12 pupcakes you know, for those fur-baby birthday parties you throw. Simply combine the dry mix with 1 cup (227g) water, 2 tablespoons (28g) pumpkin pure, 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil, and 2 large eggs. Scoop into a standard (12-well) muffin pan and bake in a preheated 400F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Baking for dachshunds or other small dogs? Use a mini-muffin pan to bake about 30 little pupcakes; theyll need about 12 minutes in a 400F oven.

Bake ourBest of Breed Dog Biscuitsrecipe and wait for the tail-wagging to begin!

Homemade with guidance: Turn to a recipe

Best of Breed Dog Biscuits, a longtime favorite recipe on our site, satisfies your pup with treats made from whole wheat and oats, milk, eggs, peanut butter (the main flavor), and a touch of parsley to ward off doggie breath. One of our satisfied canine customers, Cronch from Illinois, left this review for us:

Woof, my mother made me these biscuits for winter holiday. They are very tasty. Mother keeps in glass jar. Must plot to break jar and eat them all ... want more biscuit. Send biscuit.

The recipe makes about 40 to 60 biscuits (depending on size), and they keep very well. When I make them I dont usually use a bone-shaped cutter, but simply grab a pizza wheel to cut the rolled-out dough into stamp-sized squares easier to carry, and more to share with the other eager dogs we meet on our morning walk.

Homemade for freewheelers: Try this no-recipe, customizable formula

Want to make your own dog treats from scratch no recipe involved? You know the human food your pupster likes best, be it peanut butter, tuna, yogurt, apples, carrots ... and you can turn those favorite foods into biscuits. There are many paths to homemade treats; heres a simple recipe I use, to get you started.

2 cups flour or a mixture of flours and grains (e.g., all-purpose flour, whole wheat, rolled oats)
1 large egg
1/4 cup semi-liquid (e.g., peanut butter, applesauce, pumpkin pure, etc.)*
about 1/3 cup liquid (e.g., broth, water, milk), enough to make a stiff dough

*You want something soft and pudding-like, neither fully liquid nor dry. A popular option is 2 tablespoons (34g) peanut butter mixed with 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil to thin it a bit; or 1/4 cup (64g) applesauce, pumpkin pure, or another cooked pured vegetable. Personally, my dogs love it when I use 1/4 cup (55g) sardines blitzed in the blender with their oil.

Surely no one will miss it if I carefully take it off the top ...

Put your flour or flours/grains in a medium bowl. Combine the egg with your semi-liquid of choice, and add it to the dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Finally, add enough liquid broth, water, or milk to make a rollable dough.

Note: The amount of liquid you use may vary, based on both the flours/grains and semi-liquid you choose; what Ive listed here simply gives you a ballpark measurement to start with.

Roll the dough and cut biscuits. If you do this on parchment, you can simply pick up the piece of parchment and place it on a baking sheet; theres no need to separate the biscuits until after theyre baked.

Bake the biscuits in a preheated 350F oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until theyre bone dry. Remove them from the oven and carefully separate into individual biscuits while warm. Store airtight at room temperature for up to a couple of weeks.

Wait ... wait ... wait ... good girl, Sadie!

Things to consider

While its tempting to think in terms of what makes our human palates happy, dogs dont eat that way. I mean, witness some of the things they put in their mouths you know what I mean. Dogs get more enjoyment from their super-sensitive noses than their taste buds, so dont bother with salt or spices in your biscuit recipe to enhance flavor; its unnecessary and can raise blood pressure (sodium) or irritate sensitive noses.

Make sure any cutout biscuits are thoroughly baked; for easiest and longest storage, you want them as dry as possible. If youre worried about biscuits burning before theyre thoroughly dried, bake at a lower temperature (say, 325F), then let the biscuits cool completely in the turned-off oven, as you would meringues. If your dog is older and prefers softer biscuits, thats fine, too; just be sure to store them in the fridge or freezer rather than at room temperature.

Luigi, Tito, Zeke, and Vinnie four of the 10 members of my testing panel await their pupcakes.

Even though you make treats from good-for-your-dog ingredients, they still wont constitute a balanced diet. Remember theyre special treats, not regular handouts. And yes, I know your pup is going to follow you around with those big sad eyes, begging but give them a cuddle instead. I predict the tail will wag just as enthusiastically!

Our newest biscuit mixes get a double paws-up (highly recommend!) from all 10 of the dogs on my testing panel. I wish I could show you the entire pack, but instead lets have a virtual meet-and-greet. Tell us your dogs name, age, and favorite people food in comments, below. Ill start: My oldest dog is Baci, hes 11 and he goes bonkers for popcorn!

Cover photo by Kristin Teig.

Homemade Dog Biscuit Recipes Your Pup Will Adore

Dogs love their family the most, a homemade dog biscuit comes a close second. Why not make your dogs day today and whip up a batch of his favorite treats? Chances are youll both be impressed with the results. No doubt youve bought your pooch every kind of treat and snack, biscuits included, but has he munched down on homemade peanut butter dog biscuits? If not, theres no time like the present.

Most homemade dog biscuits can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the freezer for later too. Allow the treat to thaw for 10 to 20 minutes prior to serving to your dog. As a general rule, homemade dog biscuits can last for up to four weeks in the freezer.

Were going to help you chose some seriously delicious, healthy homemade dog biscuits recipes, including a peanut butter dog biscuit recipe. Of course dog biscuits cant take the place of a complete and balanced dog food diet, but as treats (and rewards) they are hard to beat. In addition to being an easy to store, inexpensive snack, hard dog biscuits can help keep Fidos teeth clean and healthy.

Homemade Dog Biscuits Have History

Before you retreat to the kitchen and fire up the stove, there are a few small things to consider. First, once youve decided to make your own dog biscuits, decide what flavors your dog most enjoys. Then, maybe set a budget for dog biscuit ingredients. However, most homemade dog biscuits certainly wont break the bank. DIY dog biscuits mostly call for flour, liquid and a flavor agent.

Although todays popular homemade dog biscuit recipe assortment calls for some pretty basic ingredients, this wasnt always the case. Can you imagine whipping up a batch of beetroot and beef blood biscuits? Thats exactly what Englishman James Spratt, considered to be the father of the dog biscuit, used to concoct the very first commercial dog biscuit.

The year was 1860 when Spratt patented what he called, biscuits for dogs. His simple dog biscuit recipe called for beetroot, wheat, vegetables and beef blood. Yum? I wonder if the dog treat visionary imagined that his clever invention would kick off a movement that eventually led to the dozens of commercial dog biscuit product lines available today.

Easy Homemade Dog Biscuit Recipes

Store-bought dog biscuits are a convenient option, but there are plenty of fantastic reasons to also make dog biscuits at home. When you take control of your dogs diet, you get to decide what healthy and nutritious ingredients go into his snacks. And knowing that youre providing your dog with only the best quality ingredients is a great feeling for pet moms and dads.

Basic dog biscuits

This super easy Basic dog biscuits recipe is a good way to get your feet wet in the kitchen. It calls for only five ingredients (bacon is optional.) and is ready in just 30 minutes.

Liver and cottage cheese

If youre looking for a protein-packed dog biscuit recipe, you cant go wrong with this Liver and Cottage Cheese Dog Treat Recipe. These flavorful biscuits bake for one hour and can be stored up to a whole eight months in the freezer.

Blackberry dog biscuits

Next up we have a Blackberry Biscuit Dog Treats Recipe that comes directly from the American Kennel Club. Made with fresh blackberries from your local farmers market, these biscuits sound like something Id eat with a tall glass of lemonade.

Flax seed dog biscuits

This very wholesome doggie biscuit recipe is made with both flaxseeds and wheat germ. But maybe the best visual is the pictures of the adorable, hungry dogs looking wistfully at their treats as they cool down on the cookie pans. The anticipatory looks on their faces are the best kind of glowing review any cook could hope for.

Pumpkin dog biscuits

This recipe for Homemade Dog Biscuits Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe contains healthy pumpkin, an ingredient that is increasingly being added to dog food for its rich source of vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin is also used to relieve symptoms of both diarrhea and constipation the natural way.

Healthy Homemade Dog Biscuit Recipes

Many commercial dog treats are filled with unhealthy and unnecessary food additives. For example, artificial preservatives extend a products shelf life but may cause unwanted allergic reactions. The most common canine food allergens are eggs, corn, beef, chicken, wheat, soy and milk.

Its also common to find by-products and fillers in dog biscuits rather than natural, organic or high-quality ingredients. When you make small batches of your own doggie biscuits, theres no need for extra additives or preservatives, another great reason to tie on an apron and get creative in the kitchen.

BBQ chicken homemade dog biscuits

I dont know about you, but Barbecue Chicken flavored Homemade Dog Biscuits sounds over-the-top yummy. The best part of the process is that these flavorful biscuits can be stored for six months in the freezer and for up to three weeks in the refrigerator.

Gingerbread dog biscuits

Gingerbread Bones may sound like a dessert, but this healthy recipe cuts out the unnecessary sugar and substitutes healthier flavors such as fresh ginger. This sounds like the perfect homemade dog biscuit gift to make and give to other dog lovers during the holidays.

Scottish scones for dogs

It might help, but your dog doesnt have to be Scottish to enjoy this Scottish Scones Homemade Dog Biscuit Recipe that is easy to make and results in a satisfyingly crunchy taste treat.

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuit Recipes

Maybe the best reason to make your own doggie biscuits is that it lets you pick and choose the flavors that your dog likes best, along with ensuring that they meet any dietary restrictions he may have. Does your dog love the taste of peanut butter? Most dogs find the nutty spread irresistible, so it makes sense that a peanut butter dog biscuit would result in a tail-wagging treat that she would bark for nonstop. So, with this in mind, weve devoted this entire section to peanut butter homemade dog biscuits.

Easy peanut butter dog biscuits

Here is one easy peanut-buttery biscuit recipe to try. And here is another peanut-butter flavored biscuit delight that you can make at home. As an added convenience, the recipe includes some helpful nutritional facts, including that each biscuit contains 61 calories, as well as 3 grams of protein.

Peanut butter and oatmeal biscuits

Still cant get enough of the homemade peanut butter dog biscuit recipes? Youre in luck, because we found an excellent variation on the theme: Peanut Butter Dog Biscuit Recipe with Oatmeal. This super easy recipe calls for just four ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. Tip: The recipe calls for rolled oats, which is the same as old-fashioned oats.

Gluten free dog biscuits

Many families eat a gluten-free diet and would love to provide the same to their animals. If youre in this camp, weve found a wonderful gluten-free dog biscuit recipe. As an added bonus, the simple recipe includes a bit of yummy, dog-approved peanut butter.

When preparing homemade dog treats, make sure you take into account any allergies that your pet has to specific ingredients. You will want to avoid adding any ingredient that you suspect that your pet has reacted poorly to in the past. If you are experimenting with new flavors, only feed a small amount of the treat to your dog to see how she reacts to it before giving him an entire treat.

Homemade Dog Biscuit Mixes

Here are a few suggestions for time-saving dog biscuit mixes, as well as fun baking accessories that you can easily find online.

King Arthur homemade dog biscuit mix

King Arthur Flour Homemade Dog Biscuit Mix (paid link)This commercial recipe for homemade dog biscuits is made with flax and oat, and was created with veterinary input and advice. The product is a terrific vegetarian option for dogs.

K9 Cakery

K9 Cakery Cake and Biscuit Mix for Dog (paid link)This is an all-natural (as well as sugar free) mix that can be used to make everyday treats or for any special doggie occasion. It is made in the U.S. and contains 11 ounces of homemade dog biscuits mix.

(paid link)

Whisk and Wag

Whisk & Wag All-Natural DIY Bake at Home Dog Treat Mix (paid link)Making homemade dog biscuits will be easy-peasy when you use this jarred mix to create the dog biscuits. Simply add oil and water to the ingredients; one jar of mix makes over two dozen treats. As an added bonus, you can re-use the durable jar for future snacks. The all-natural recipe contains zero wheat, corn or preservatives.

Homemade Dog Biscuit Ingredients to Avoid

Although these everyday substances are fine for human consumption, they have the potential to make your pooch sick or cause a serious illness. Xylitol (sugar substitute), raisins, chocolate, rosemary, garlic and onion are all best avoided.

Done baking? Dont miss this spectacular way to get creative!