How To Make Dog Biscuits | Simple Recipes That Work

For the full breakdown, see our best Dog Biscuits guide.

Making dog biscuits at home lets you control every ingredient, which matters because plenty of store-bought treats hide xylitol, BHA, BHT, and vague meat by-products. The process itself is straightforward: mix a simple dough, roll it out, cut shapes, bake, and cool completely before your dog gets one. Below are three vet-friendly recipes and the safety rules that keep homemade treats worth the effort.

What Ingredients Are Safe For Dog Biscuits?

Safe dog biscuits start with a whole-grain or alternative flour base, a binder like eggs, and a dog-safe flavoring. The AKC’s vet-approved recipes use barley flour, whole wheat flour, almond flour, or garbanzo bean flour, combined with ingredients like unsweetened applesauce, pumpkin puree, olive oil, and cheese.

Two ingredients need strict attention. Peanut butter must be xylitol-free, since xylitol is toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Pumpkin must be pure canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, which contains added sugar and spices. Avoid xylitol, BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, artificial colors, added sugar, corn syrup, and vague meat by-products in any treat you bake.

Vet-Approved Dog Biscuit Recipes To Try

The American Kennel Club publishes several recipes vetted by veterinarians. These three cover different textures and flavors, so you can match one to your dog’s tastes.

Blackberry biscuits. Combine 4 cups almond flour, 3/4 cup flax meal, 1/2 cup blackberries, 1 egg, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, and 1 cup water. Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thick, cut with a small cookie cutter, and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Peanut butter pumpkin treats. Mix 2 cups whole wheat flour or garbanzo bean flour, 2 large eggs, 3–4 tablespoons of xylitol-free creamy peanut butter, and 1 cup of pure canned pumpkin. Space biscuits 1/2 inch apart on the tray and bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.

Cheesy oat biscuits. Combine 2 cups barley flour, 1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal, 1/3 cup shredded cheddar, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add about 3 tablespoons of water, roll to 1/4-inch thick, cut with a bone-shaped cutter, and bake for 30 minutes. Store airtight for up to two weeks.

How Long Should Dog Biscuits Bake?

Most homemade dog biscuits bake at 350°F for 25–35 minutes, depending on thickness and ingredients. The AKC’s recipes call for 30–35 minutes at 350°F. UK recipes, like those from Blue Cross and The Great British Bake Off, use 170°C or 180°C, which is close to 325–350°F, with bake times from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the recipe’s moisture.

The real test is doneness, not the clock. Biscuits should be firm, lightly browned, and crisp when done. They firm up more as they cool, so don’t pull them early just because they feel slightly soft in the center.

Storing Homemade Dog Biscuits

Homemade biscuits lack the preservatives of commercial treats, so they spoil faster. The AKC’s cheesy oat recipe stores airtight for up to two weeks. Blue Cross advises keeping chicken-based biscuits in a cool, dark place for just 3–4 days because of the meat. Biscuits with fresh ingredients like chicken or sweet potato always spoil before simpler flour-and-peanut-butter ones.

Cool biscuits completely before storing, since trapped steam creates moisture that breeds mold. If you bake a big batch, freeze extras in a sealed bag and thaw only what you need.