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DIY Dog Treats from Leftovers – 2 Recipes

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Whether you’ve had a big holiday dinner or just have some supper to spare, these DIY dog treats from leftovers are an amazing option to help clear those extras from the fridge.

Plus, these are two super easy dog treat recipes that the kids can help with, so it’s a great learning experience about using all the food you can! Also, if you happen to be one of those dog lovers (like me) with a baking addiction (also me), you’re going to find that these treats for dogs are right up your alley.

If you’re looking for an allergy-friendly dog treat recipe, be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom, as that recipe is included, but it’s just down at the bottom.

Make sure to check out my DIY Dog Treat Jars That Are Perfect and Simple!

non allergenic homemade snacks or treats for dogs

Using leftovers can get a little old after a feast like Thanksgiving or Christmas. One way to use the leftovers is to make some treats for the dog out of them. This easy recipe will allow Fido to taste some of those smells he’s been sniffing. Two recipes have been included for convenience, one of them for dogs with food allergies.

If your dog reacts to eggs or cooked potatoes, this first recipe shouldn’t be used. A rare few dogs will react to raw potatoes, but cooked potato flakes are usually digested just fine.

The second recipe is allergy-friendly and great for dogs with sensitive stomaches. So, you can try that one (just a littttle bit) and then, if there’s no problems, you know you have a good homemade treats recipe your dog absolutely loves!

Oh, and keep in mind that your pooch CAN get fat, and that’s not good for its health. Giving treats should not replace meals or be given too frequently, just like human treats. The dog will live a longer, healthier, more comfortable life if he’s not overweight.

When you’re ready to pull these treats out of the oven (after less than 30 minutes! YAY!), they should be hard and crunchy. Test them out as soon as they’re cooled by giving Fido one.

If he enjoys–perfect. If he spits it out and walks away, well, that’s a sign that something is not quite right! LOL!

These treats are especially enjoyed when frozen solid. The dogs happily ask for more and more. What I decided to do was divide the batch in two and freeze half and keep the other half in the refrigerator.

Then it’s time to test the dog and see which way he seems to like them best. It’s good for their teeth to have crunchy snacks, so whatever they like, that’s how I’m doing it.

two easy dog treat recipes

Specialty Ingredients:

Just in case it’s not Thanksgiving and you want to make these dog biscuits, but don’t have a bunch of leftovers, I thought I’d help you out. The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store.  I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using.

Reminder, not all ingredients in the Dog Treats are linked above, just the ones that may be a bit difficult to find or that you might be unsure of what to look for

Must Have Resources:

When making Dog Biscuits at home, you really need to have the following Amazon affiliate tools on hand.

Some Things To Note that Aren’t in this Dog Treat Recipe

I think it’s important for you to know that these are pretty basic dog biscuits. So simple, in fact, that they’re missing a lot of ingredients that you might think are in typical homemade dog treats.

Namely, these dog biscuits do not contain:

  • Baking Powder
  • Coconut Oil
  • Rolled Oats
  • Peanut Butter
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Brown Rice Flour
  • Wheat Flour
  • AND you don’t have to use a food processor.

I’m not saying any of these things are bad, I’m just saying–whoa, what an amazing bare-bones recipe that really is just made from your leftovers.

DIY Dog treats from leftovers

Isn’t it wild that you can make treats at home that your dog loves?!

And as much as I love traditional dog treat recipes, they often are all centered around the concept of being peanut butter dog treats. Certainly my dog loves peanut butter, but the truth is, that peanut butter breath is not all it’s cracked up to be.

So, having a different recipe on hand for times when I am not into Fluffy’s breath smelling like a jiffy jar, well, that’s smart.

You can also spoil your pup with this Homemade Dog Soap Bar Recipe for your Four-Legged Friends!

Best DIY Dog Treat Recipes:

Once you make this DIY Dog Treats from Leftovers Recipe, you’re going to see that the fur baby is all about having healthy snacks. Seriously, the dog is gonna love having homemade treats. Especially from the yummy human-food.

allergy free snacks for doggies

How do I store homemade dog biscuits? 

Due to the simple ingredients, storing these treats for your furry friend doesn’t have to be hard. Add the crunchy treats to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. This is the best way to ensure that this easy dog biscuit recipe stays fresh and delicious for your best friend. 

Are these better than store-bought treats?

I like to think so! Since they only have two ingredients in them and can be made quickly at home, I think that these are a great way to treat your good girl or good boy. 

Will these make my dog’s stomach upset? 

They shouldn’t, but as with any special treat, it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients and make sure that new recipes like this are something that are good for your dog. Every dog is different, so knowing the ingredient list is key.

The good thing is that I have everything listed on the recipe card below that I’ve added to these homemade dog snacks so you can rest easy knowing the fresh ingredients that are used to make these crunchy dog treats. 

You’ll find that making your own dog treats from this simple recipe just might be one of their favorite new foods. The best part is that you can make this homemade dog treat recipe anytime that you want. 

Save yourself time from running to the grocery store! To add a fun twist, use your favorite cookie cutters or dog cookie cutters to make new fun designs and looks. You can make these into smaller pieces, and have them be fun shapes that you won’t find with store-bought options. Use a cute cookie cutter once the dough forms to change up how you make future simple dog treat recipes!

DIY Dog treats from leftovers

DIY Dog Treats from Leftovers

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Turkey, sweet potatoes, and cranberries combine to create a protein rich sweet treat for your puppy after being baked into a crunchy bone!c

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of cooked turkey ground or shredded and chopped in small pieces
  • 1 cup of sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed, not candied)
  • 1 large egg (optional)
  • 1 cup of leftover vegetables (not corn)
  • 1/2 cup of processed cranberries (jellied or preserved)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, crack the egg and stir.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix them together completely.
  3. Spread the mixture evenly on a rimmed baking sheet.
  4. With a butter knife, cut squares or bars, depending on the size of the dog.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes and remove from the oven.
  6. Using a spatula turn each one over and return them to the oven.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes more.

Notes

You'll also need:

    A bowl
    A baking sheet
    A butter knife
    A spatula

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 45Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 18mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

More Dog Ideas You Need to See:

Check out these other fun resources for your pup. Having dogs are the best! They’re great companions and so much fun to have around the house. A perfect companion and family friend for life. 

allergy free snacks for doggies

Allergy-Friendly Dog Treats

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Do your dog suffer from allergies? He (or she) is not alone! It is actually pretty common, which is why we have this delicious allergy-free, doggy treats recipe for you and your best friend!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of shredded, chopped cooked and turkey
  • 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups of potato flakes (the 100% real potatoes kind)
  • 1 1/4 cup of warm water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375(f) degrees.
  2. Put the potato flakes and the water in the bowl and mix thoroughly.
  3. Add the other ingredients and stir well.
  4. Spread evenly onto greased baking sheet, 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes.
  6. Cut into bars or squares while they're still hot.
  7. Cool on a wire rack before removing from the baking sheet.

Notes

You'll also need:

    • A bowl
    • A wooden spoon
    • A baking sheet
    • Cheese grater
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 53Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 44mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 5g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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Jaymie

Sunday 20th of August 2023

Hi, thanks for these recipes. However, the measurement is missing on the second one for the cheddar cheese: cup of grated cheddar cheese

I know it's not more than 1 cup, but it could be a lot less!

Kelli Miller

Tuesday 19th of September 2023

Thank you for your comment on my article and for bringing up the missing measurement in the second cheddar cheese recipe. I apologize for the oversight. It calls for 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese.

However, please keep in mind that the amount of cheese can be adjusted based on personal preference or the desired intensity of flavor. Feel free to start with a smaller amount and gradually add more if needed.

I appreciate your understanding and input, and I've made sure to update the article to include a more precise measurement for the grated cheddar cheese. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please let me know. Happy cooking!

Gagal home

Monday 9th of September 2019

Hiii,

Thats a wonderful recipe which you have shared, sounds like my german shephard can eat it, he is so demanding and get bored in one or two days, I would hope that he will eat this dish

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