When it comes to pampering our furry friends, homemade dog treats are a fantastic way to show them love.
Not only do you have full control over the ingredients, but you can also tailor the treats to meet your dog’s specific dietary needs.
Soft dog treats, in particular, are a great choice for dogs with dental issues, puppies, or older dogs who might find harder treats difficult to chew.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of soft dog treats, share some popular recipes, and provide tips for making and storing these tasty morsels.
Popular Homemade Soft Dog Treat Recipes
1. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Soft Treats
These Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Soft Treats combine two of your dog’s favorite flavors into a chewy, delicious snack that’s perfect for training or as a special reward.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter (ensure it contains no xylitol)
- 1 egg
Oven Option:
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when the treats go in, allowing them to bake evenly.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and rolled oats. Use a whisk or spoon to evenly distribute the oats throughout the flour. This step is important for ensuring that the texture of the treats is consistent.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and egg. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and the peanut butter is fully incorporated with the pumpkin and egg. This will help the dough bind together properly.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring continuously to prevent clumps. The dough should be firm yet pliable, making it easy to shape. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the right consistency is achieved.
- Shape the Treats: Scoop small portions of the dough and roll them into balls using your hands. Each ball should be about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of space between them.
- Flatten the Balls: Using a fork, gently press down on each ball to flatten it slightly. This step helps the treats bake more evenly and gives them a decorative touch.
- Bake the Treats: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on the treats—you’re looking for them to be set and lightly golden around the edges, but still soft in the center.
- Cool Before Serving: Once baked, remove the treats from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure they are fully cooled before giving them to your dog.
Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Preheating is crucial for even cooking.
- Prepare the Dough: Follow steps 2-5 as above to prepare the dough and shape the treats.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the dough balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t touching each other to allow for proper air circulation.
- Air Fry the Treats: Cook the treats in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, check on them to ensure they are cooking evenly. If necessary, shake the basket gently to prevent sticking or burning.
- Cool Before Serving: Once the treats are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving them to your dog.
Storage Tip: Store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze them in small batches and thaw as needed.
2. Sweet Potato and Oat Soft Bites
These Sweet Potato and Oat Soft Bites are a nutritious and gentle treat, packed with natural sweetness and fiber, making them ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 1 egg
Oven Option:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is essential for ensuring even baking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the mashed sweet potatoes, rolled oats, plain yogurt, and egg. Use a spoon or spatula to mix the ingredients until they are fully combined. The mixture should be thick and slightly sticky.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a small spoon or a cookie scoop, take portions of the dough and drop them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The portions should be about 1 inch in diameter.
- Flatten Slightly: Use the back of the spoon to gently flatten each portion. This will help the bites bake more evenly and ensure they remain soft in the center.
- Bake the Treats: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. The edges should be slightly set, but the center should remain soft and chewy.
- Cool Before Serving: Once baked, remove the treats from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Follow steps 2-4 as above to prepare the dough and shape the bites.
- Air Fry the Bites: Place the bites in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch or overlap. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are cooking evenly.
- Cool Before Serving: Once cooked, remove the bites from the air fryer and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before offering them to your dog.
Storage Tip: Store the sweet potato and oat bites in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen and thawed as needed.
3. Cheesy Apple Soft Biscuits
These Cheesy Apple Soft Biscuits offer a delightful mix of savory and sweet, providing a soft, flavorful treat that dogs of all ages will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
Oven Option:
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready when the biscuits are prepared.
- Mix Cheese and Applesauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the grated cheddar cheese and unsweetened applesauce. Stir until the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the applesauce, ensuring a uniform flavor in each biscuit.
- Add Flour and Egg: Gradually add the whole wheat flour and egg to the cheese mixture. Stir the ingredients together until a soft dough forms. The dough should be pliable but not too sticky. If it’s too sticky, you can add a bit more flour until it reaches the right consistency.
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. This will ensure the biscuits are not too thick and will bake evenly.
- Cut into Shapes: Using a cookie cutter or a knife, cut the dough into small shapes. You can use dog-themed cookie cutters for a fun touch or simply cut the dough into squares or circles.
- Bake the Biscuits: Arrange the shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should turn a light golden color, while the centers should remain soft.
- Cool Before Serving: Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Follow steps 2-5 as above to prepare the dough and cut it into shapes.
- Air Fry the Biscuits: Place the cut shapes in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spaced out and not overlapping. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the biscuits are soft in the center.
- Cool Before Serving: After cooking, remove the biscuits from the air fryer and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before giving them to your dog.
Storage Tip: Store these cheesy apple biscuits in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them and thaw as needed.
4. Banana and Oat Soft Treats
These Banana and Oat Soft Treats are a simple yet tasty option, combining the natural sweetness of bananas with the heartiness of oats, making them a healthy and satisfying snack for your dog.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
Oven Option:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when the dough is prepared.
- Mash the Banana: In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe banana until it’s smooth and free of lumps.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the rolled oats, applesauce, and egg to the mashed banana. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, creating a thick, sticky dough.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a spoon, drop small portions of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The portions should be about 1 inch in size.
- Bake the Treats: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. The treats should be set and lightly golden around the edges, but still soft in the center.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the treats to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Follow steps 2-4 as above to prepare the dough and shape the treats.
- Air Fry the Treats: Place the dough portions in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Cool Before Serving: Once done, remove the treats from the air fryer and allow them to cool completely before offering them to your dog.
Storage Tip: Store the Banana and Oat Soft Treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
5. Carrot and Honey Soft Bites
These Carrot and Honey Soft Bites are naturally sweet and packed with vitamins, making them a healthy and flavorful treat that your dog will enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 egg
Oven Option:
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when the treats are ready to bake.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the grated carrots, whole wheat flour, honey, and egg. Stir until the mixture forms a soft dough. The dough should be slightly sticky, but firm enough to hold its shape.
- Scoop the Dough: Drop small spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Each portion should be about 1 inch in size.
- Bake the Treats: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. The treats should be lightly golden and firm around the edges, with a soft center.
- Cool Before Serving: After baking, let the treats cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Follow steps 2-4 as above to prepare the dough and shape the bites.
- Air Fry the Bites: Place the dough portions in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t touching. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Cool Before Serving: Once cooked, remove the bites from the air fryer and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before offering them to your dog.
Storage Tip: Store the Carrot and Honey Soft Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
6. Blueberry and Yogurt Soft Drops
These Blueberry and Yogurt Soft Drops are bursting with flavor and packed with antioxidants, offering a refreshing and healthy treat option for your furry friend.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 1½ cups oat flour
- 1 egg
Oven Option:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure an even baking process.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blueberries and yogurt. Stir until the blueberries are evenly coated with the yogurt. Then add the oat flour and egg, mixing until a thick dough forms.
- Shape the Dough: Scoop small portions of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The portions should be about 1 inch in diameter.
- Bake the Treats: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. The treats should be slightly firm to the touch but still soft in the middle.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the treats to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Air Fryer Option:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Follow steps 2-4 as above to prepare the dough and shape the drops.
- Air Fry the Drops: Place the dough portions in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are spaced out. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Cool Before Serving: Once the drops are done, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool completely before serving.
Storage Tip: Store the Blueberry and Yogurt Soft Drops in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.
Benefits of Soft Dog Treats
Gentle on Teeth: Soft dog treats are ideal for dogs who have sensitive teeth or gums. Puppies who are still developing their teeth and senior dogs who may have lost some teeth can particularly benefit from softer textures. These treats are easy to chew and don’t require the strong jaws that hard, crunchy treats might.
Easily Digestible: Soft treats tend to be easier on a dog’s digestive system. Because they are often made with simple, wholesome ingredients, they’re less likely to cause stomach upset, making them a good option for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Customizable Ingredients: Making your own dog treats allows you to control what goes into them. If your dog has allergies, you can avoid specific ingredients, or you can simply tailor the treats to your dog’s taste preferences. From savory to sweet, the possibilities are endless.
Essential Ingredients for Soft Dog Treats
Base Ingredients: The foundation of a good soft dog treat typically includes flour or a flour substitute. Common options are whole wheat flour, rice flour, or oat flour. Rolled oats and mashed potatoes can also serve as a good base.
Binding Ingredients: To keep the treats soft and hold them together, you’ll need a binder. Eggs are a common choice, but you can also use applesauce, pumpkin puree, or sweet potato puree for a softer texture.
Flavor Enhancers: Dogs love flavorful treats, and you can use dog-safe ingredients like peanut butter, sweet potatoes, or cheese to make the treats irresistible.
Optional Add-ins: For added nutrition and variety, consider incorporating fruits like blueberries or apples, vegetables like carrots or spinach, or even small amounts of cooked meat.
Tips for Making Soft Dog Treats
Consistency: Achieving the right dough consistency is key to making soft treats. The dough should be moist but not too sticky, allowing you to shape it without it falling apart. If the dough is too dry, you can add a little more of the wet ingredients, like applesauce or pumpkin puree.
Baking vs. No-Bake: Baking the treats will give them a firmer texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft. If you prefer an even softer texture, you can try no-bake recipes that simply require mixing the ingredients and refrigerating the treats until they firm up.
Storage: Soft dog treats should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their texture and prevent spoilage. They can also be frozen in small batches and thawed as needed. Just be sure to let the treats come to room temperature before giving them to your dog.
Customization: One of the best things about homemade dog treats is that you can customize them based on your dog’s needs. If your dog has a grain allergy, you can use grain-free flour. If they need to watch their weight, consider using low-fat ingredients.