Sustainable Snacking Organic Dog Treats for Every Occasion

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

The 12 best organic dog treats of 2023, approved by vets

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Organic food isn't just for people. In recent years, pet food companies have been rolling out organic grub, including some of the best organic dog treats. That may be in response to consumer demand, especially as people become more environmentally conscious, something a report from Future Markets Insights notes.

But there's something more that may be fueling interest in organic treats for dogs. According to Dr. Nancy Welborn, associate professor and service chief of community practice at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, consumers who assume that organic food is safer or more nutritious may seek out these treats.

The question is, though, do these treats, which are often pricier, have a nutritional edge over their conventional counterparts? It's possible. "Organic foods have been shown to have small increases in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants when compared with their non-organic counterparts," says Dr. Kasey Aona, medical director and owner of GoodVets in Columbus, Ohio. "That said, though, there haven't been any studies to prove the nutritional benefits of feeding organic treats over non-organic ones in dogs."

Although there are fewer organic than conventional dog treats, the options are growing. To help you narrow down the best organic dog treats, we looked at dozens of brands and flavors and made our picks based on the criteria veterinarians shared.

Homemade Dog Treats Recipe

This is the EASIEST Homemade Dog Treats Recipe no baking involved! Simply mix, roll, and serve! Your pup is sure to go nuts over these healthier peanut butter treats!

DISCLAIMER: As always, please consult your vet before introducing anything new into your dogs diet.

Teddy (official name Theodore Charles Debth) is our 70 pound Golden Retriever Were obsessed with him.

Before SMTY started, my full time job was training Teddy. We would spendhoursevery day training together. As incentive to do a good job, Teddy would get dog treats.

During this time, I always wished I could easily easily find healthy, organic, and high-quality dog treats for the Tedster because he deserves the best.SO, I decided to make some of my own.

Full of pumpkin, peanut butter, and just a touch of bacon, this homemade dog treats recipe is super quick and easy to make, totally organic, and can be stored in the fridge/freezer for later.

But most importantly, theyre Teddy approved! Lets just say, I definitely had another shadow that day.

Ingredients

A simple ingredient list that is packed with wholesome foods and amazing flavors your dog will go crazy for!

Pumpkin Puree easy on the tummy and adds moisture to these bites.
Applesauce a great dose of fiber, vitamin c, and also adds a ton of moisture!
Peanut Butter your dogs favorite treat! What pup doesnt LOVE licking the pb remnants off your finger after opening the jar of peanut butter? (Ahem see photo below for evidence.)
Plain Yogurt provides a dose of calcium and is loaded with probiotics!
Bacon your dogs second favorite treat! A little salty bacon gives these bites an amazing savory taste and chewy texture.
Old-Fashioned Oats a great gluten free grain for pups who are sensitive to wheat! Its also loaded with vitamin B and omega-6.

Pro tip

Use all organic, all natural, no sugar added ingredients to keep these treats healthier!

How to make

The best part about this recipe? No baking required! Simply, mix, roll, and serve!

Stir together pumpkin, applesauce, peanut butter, and yogurt until well-combined.
Mix in bacon and oats.
Roll into bite-size treats then watch your pup go nuts!

Pro tip

Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform bites!

Are homemade dog treats good for dogs?

These dog treats are just thata treat. Theyre not a replacement for your dogs regular food BUT they are healthier than some store-bought treats.

1 treat contains 84 calories, 3 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of protein.

As always, be sure to ask your vet if these would be a good treat for YOUR dog.

What peanut butter to use

Use an all-natural, no salt, no sugar added peanut butter for these treats. Salt and sugar just arent necessary to give to your dog. If you want to go the extra mile, use an organic variety. The only ingredient on the peanut butter jar should be peanuts.

Whatever kind you use, just make sure you use a peanut butter that does NOT contain xylitol. Its a sugar replacement thats safe for people but is poisonous to dogs.

Can you use regular flour?

We wanted to keep these dog treats gluten-free so I made them without flour and used oats instead.

Although flour isnt necessarily bad for dogs, I dont recommend substituting flour for oats in this recipe because I dont know what it will do to the consistency of the treats!

Can you add sugar?

I dont recommend it. Dogs dont NEED sugar in their diet, and theyll love the treats as is! Promise.

Can people eat these dog treats?

Technically, yes. I took one for the team and gave these a try. Your pup is going to gocrazyfor these, but trust me when I say, these just dont taste that good to us humans.

If you want a treat too, try this No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites Recipe. Then you and your fur baby can enjoy your separate treatstogether.

How to store

Store these healthy dog treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months!

If frozen, just let them thaw before giving them to your dog again.

Can homemade dog treats be frozen?

Yep! These will last in the freezer for up to 4 months. Before serving them to your dog again, just let them thaw in the fridge!

Healthy. Easy. Puppy approved. These Homemade Dog Treats are sure to please!

Jennifer

DISCLAIMER: As always, please consult your vet before introducinganything new into your dogs diet.

Homemade Dog Treats Recipe

This is the EASIEST Homemade Dog Treats Recipe - no baking involved! Simply mix, roll, and serve! Your pup is sure to go nuts over these healthier peanut butter treats!

Equipment for this recipe

(equipment shown are affiliate links)

Instructions

In a large bowl, stir together pumpkin, applesauce, peanut butter, and yogurt until well combined.
Stir in bacon and oats.
Use a cookie scoop to form into uniform treats.
Store in fridge or freezer until your pup gets a treat!
Take 5 seconds to
rate this recipe below
.
We greatly appreciate it!

STORING

Reheat:

Let thaw in fridge

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Notes

I used all organic, unsalted, no sugar added ingredients. DISCLAIMER: As always, please consult your vet before introducing anything new into your dogs diet.