25 Homemade Snacks for Pets

Homemade snacks for pets are one of life’s simple joys: you get to play “Chef,” your dog gets to supervise like a tiny, furry manager, and your cat gets to judge you from across the room (as tradition demands). The catch? Pets aren’t small humans. Some foods that are perfectly fine on our plates can be a big problem on theirs.

This guide gives you 25 DIY pet snacks you can make at homemostly dog-friendly, many cat-friendly, and clearly labeledplus practical safety rules so your kitchen doesn’t accidentally become a “call the vet” situation. You’ll also get storage tips, portion guidance, and realistic ways to use treats for training without turning your pet into a snack-powered rocket ship.

Before You Start: The “Please Don’t Panic” Safety Checklist

1) Treats are extras, not a second dinner

A reliable rule used by many veterinarians: keep treats to about 10% (or less) of daily calories. That means a couple of bites here and therenot a full bakery aisle. If your pet is trying to negotiate for more, congratulations: you live with a professional.

2) Avoid the usual “nope” ingredients

Some common foods can be dangerous to pets. Keep these out of homemade pet snacks unless your veterinarian specifically says otherwise:

• Xylitol (a sugar substitute found in many “sugar-free” productsespecially gum and some peanut butters)
• Chocolate, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts
• Onion, garlic, chives, leeks (even in powder form)
• Alcohol and raw yeast dough
• Heavily salted, spicy, or seasoned foods (pets do not need “extra garlic ranch vibes”)

3) Keep it simple (pets are not impressed by your spice rack)

Homemade pet treats should be made with plain, recognizable ingredients. That’s good for sensitive stomachs, and it helps you spot what triggered an itch, ear flare, or tummy issue if something doesn’t agree.

4) Know your pet’s “special rules”

Some pets need extra caution: puppies/kittens, seniors, pets with kidney disease, diabetes, pancreatitis history, food allergies, or weight issues. When in doubt, use tiny portions and talk to your veterinarianespecially before using higher-fat items (like cheese) or higher-sugar fruits.

Smart Kitchen Basics for Homemade Pet Snacks

Pick your “base” ingredients

• For dogs: pumpkin purée (plain), oats, eggs, plain yogurt (if tolerated), peanut butter (xylitol-free), sweet potato, lean meats, apples (no seeds/core), blueberries.
• For cats: lean cooked chicken or turkey, tuna/salmon (in water, not seasoned), eggs (cooked), tiny amounts of plain pumpkin for fiber, catnip, and freeze-dried-style meat snacks.

Prep and storage rules that actually matter

• Wash hands, tools, and surfacespets can be sensitive to foodborne bugs.
• Cool treats fully before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Refrigerate anything with meat, eggs, or dairy; freeze if you won’t use it quickly.
• Label containers with the date (future-you will appreciate it).

25 Homemade Snacks for Pets (Dogs + Cats Options Included)

Tip: Introduce any new snack slowly. Start with a bite-sized piece and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, itchiness, or unusual behavior.

1) Frozen Pumpkin “Pupsicles” (Dog-Friendly)

What it is: Plain pumpkin purée mixed with a little xylitol-free peanut butter and water, frozen in silicone molds.

Why pets like it: Cool, lickable, and great for hot days (or dramatic dogs who act like the AC is broken).

2) Chicken Broth Ice Cubes (Dog + Cat-Friendly)

Simmer chicken in water, strain, and cool. Freeze the broth into small cubes.

Important: No onions, garlic, or heavy salt. Plain only.

3) Sweet Potato Chews (Dog-Friendly)

Slice sweet potato into thin strips and bake low-and-slow until chewy.

Bonus: Great “busy snack” for dogs who need a job.

4) Mini Meatballs (Dog-Friendly)

Mix lean ground turkey + egg + a spoon of oats. Bake into tiny meatballs.

Make it better: Keep them small for trainingyour dog doesn’t need a softball-sized “reward.”

5) Tuna Flake Bites (Cat-Friendly)

Mix tuna in water with a beaten egg and bake into tiny, crunchy dots.

Cat logic: They may still prefer the cardboard box the tuna came in. Don’t take it personally.

6) Apple Slices with a Peanut Butter Smear (Dog-Friendly)

Core and slice apples thin. Add a tiny smear of xylitol-free peanut butter.

Safety note: Remove seeds and core. Keep portions small for smaller dogs.

7) Blueberry “Two-Bite” Snacks (Dog-Friendly)

Offer a few washed blueberries, or mash and mix into a simple oat-and-egg bake.

Tip: Start with 1–2 berries if it’s your dog’s first time.

8) Banana Oat Cookies (Dog-Friendly)

Mash ripe banana + oats + egg. Bake small dollops.

Best for: Dogs who like softer treats. Not great for pets who must limit sugar.

9) Sardine Crumbles (Dog + Cat-Friendly, Small Portions)

Use sardines packed in water, crumble a tiny amount over food or bake into mini bites with egg.

Why tiny: Strong flavor, higher fattreat, not lifestyle.

10) Carrot Crunch Sticks (Dog-Friendly)

Washed, peeled carrot sticks can be a simple snack for many dogs.

Pro move: Freeze sticks for a longer chew session.

11) Cucumber Coins (Dog-Friendly)

Cool, crunchy, low-calorie snack. Serve plain.

Great for: Treating without blowing the calorie budget.

12) “Better Than a Cookie” Pumpkin Oat Biscuits (Dog-Friendly)

Combine pumpkin purée + oats + egg + a little flour (if needed). Roll, cut, bake.

Flavor twist: A pinch of cinnamon is often used by people, but go easy and skip if your pet is sensitive.

13) Plain Scrambled Egg Bits (Dog + Cat-Friendly)

Scramble an egg in a nonstick pan with no butter, salt, or seasoning. Cool and cut tiny pieces.

Why it works: High-value training treat in micro portions.

14) Yogurt “Dots” (Dog-Friendly; Some Cats)

Drop small dots of plain, unsweetened yogurt onto parchment and freeze.

Note: Skip if your pet gets gassy or has dairy sensitivity.

15) Watermelon Cubes (Dog-Friendly)

Seedless watermelon cubes can be a hydrating snack.

Keep it reasonable: Fruit sugar adds up fast.

16) Dehydrated Chicken Jerky (Dog + Cat-Friendly)

Slice chicken breast thin and bake at a low temperature until dry and chewy.

Storage: Refrigerate and use quickly, or freeze for longer.

17) Turkey & Pumpkin Mini Muffins (Dog-Friendly)

Mix lean cooked turkey, pumpkin purée, egg, and oats. Bake in mini muffin tins.

Use case: A “special occasion” snack that still uses simple ingredients.

18) Salmon Flake Crisps (Cat-Friendly)

Mix cooked salmon flakes with egg and bake into small crisps.

Smell warning: Your kitchen may briefly become “Seafood Restaurant: The Musical.”

19) Green Bean “Popcorn” (Dog-Friendly)

Plain steamed green beans, chopped into small pieces.

Great for: Dogs who want lots of snacks with fewer calories.

20) Plain Rice & Chicken Tiny Bites (Dog-Friendly)

Mix cooked rice with finely chopped cooked chicken and a little egg. Bake into small bites.

Helpful for: Dogs who prefer mild foods (but talk to your vet if your dog has a medical diet).

21) Catnip “Sprinkle” Snack (Cat-Friendly)

Dust a pinch of catnip over a small portion of a safe treat (like cooked chicken bits).

Reality check: Some cats love catnip; some act like you offered them a tax form. Both are normal.

22) Pumpkin Fiber Licks (Cat-Friendly, Tiny Amounts)

For cats that tolerate it, a small lick of plain pumpkin can be used occasionally.

Keep it small: Cats are obligate carnivoresprotein is the main event.

23) “Training Dust” Parmesan Substitute (Dog-Friendly Alternative)

Instead of salty cheese, use a tiny pinch of crushed freeze-dried meat treat (store-bought) over homemade bites.

Why it’s here: It upgrades homemade treats without adding a lot of salt or fat.

24) Peanut Butter & Oat “No-Decorations” Balls (Dog-Friendly)

Mix oats + xylitol-free peanut butter + a splash of water. Roll into pea-sized balls.

Portion hack: Make them tiny. Dogs don’t need a golf ballthey need a “yes!” moment.

25) Freeze-and-Serve “Lick Mat Mix” (Dog-Friendly; Some Cats)

Spread a thin layer of plain pumpkin, plain yogurt (if tolerated), or mashed banana onto a lick mat and freeze.

Why it’s great: Slows fast eaters and turns snack time into enrichment time.

How to Choose the Right Snack for Your Pet

If your pet is overweight (or suspiciously round)

Choose low-calorie options like cucumber, green beans, broth ice cubes, or tiny bits of lean meat. Also: count treats like they count as caloriesbecause they do.

If your pet has a sensitive stomach

Go bland and simple: plain cooked chicken bits, rice-and-chicken bites, pumpkin-oat biscuits in small amounts. Introduce one new snack at a time so you can identify what works.

If your pet has allergies

Single-ingredient snacks (dehydrated chicken, plain scrambled egg bits, a few blueberries) make it easier to avoid mystery triggers.

If your pet is a training superstar

Use micro-treats: tiny egg bits, pea-sized meatballs, miniature pumpkin biscuits. Training works best when rewards are frequent and smalllike applause, not a buffet.

of Real-Life “Homemade Pet Snack” Experience (What Pet Parents Commonly Notice)

Ask a group of pet owners about homemade treats and you’ll hear a pattern: the first batch is always made with big dreams and a clean apron, and the second batch is made while your dog stares at the oven door like it’s a live-streamed sports event. The funniest part is how quickly pets learn the routine. Many dogs start recognizing the sound of the mixing bowl, the crinkle of parchment paper, or the freezer drawer opening. Cats, on the other hand, often pretend they do not careuntil you open a can of tuna, and suddenly they’ve teleported into the kitchen like a magic trick.

One common “aha” moment for beginners is portion size. Humans see a cookie and think, “That’s small.” Dogs see a cookie and think, “That is an entire achievement.” When pet parents switch to pea-sized training treats, they usually notice training becomes easier because rewards can happen more often without overfeeding. It feels counterintuitive at firsthow can something so tiny be exciting?but for many pets, it’s the frequency and the attention that make the treat valuable, not the size of the snack.

Another frequent experience: the “ingredient spotlight.” When you make treats at home, you quickly learn which ingredients your pet truly loves. Some dogs go wild for pumpkin. Others act like pumpkin is a personal insult but will do a full dance routine for a plain piece of chicken. Cats often reveal strong opinions about texture: some prefer crunchy baked bites, while others only want soft, meaty pieces. That’s why having a mix of optionslike broth cubes, dehydrated jerky, and baked biscuitshelps you match snacks to your pet’s preferences without turning snack time into a daily debate club.

Pet parents also tend to notice that homemade snacks can be a gentle way to add enrichment. Frozen lick mats, yogurt dots, or broth cubes can keep pets busy for longer than a quick chew treat. Many owners use these for calm momentslike after a walk, during grooming, or when guests arrive. It’s not just “food,” it’s a structured activity that helps some pets settle.

Finally, there’s the reality check every home chef learns: homemade treats are still treats. Even healthy ingredients can cause tummy trouble if introduced too quickly, and even “natural” snacks can add more calories than expected if portions creep up. The best homemade treat habits usually look boring on paper (tiny portions, simple ingredients, treat limits), but in real life they create a sweet routine: your pet gets safe, tasty varietyand you get the joy of making something that’s both fun and responsible.

Conclusion

Homemade snacks for pets can be safe, simple, and genuinely usefulespecially when you treat them as small bonuses, not meal replacements. Stick with plain ingredients, avoid known toxins, keep portions tiny, and store treats properly. Your pet gets something delicious, you get peace of mind, and your kitchen gets a new job title: “Treat Lab.”