Homemade Dog Treats: 3 Sweet Potato Snacks Your Pet Will Love

Today we will be exploring some of my favorite homemade dog treats recipes that include sweet potatoes- easy, nutritious, and totally drool-inducing. Whether you want something new to try out or are entirely new to baking dog treats, these are definitely the best. Let’s get baking!

Why Make Dog Treats at Home?

Complete Control Over Ingredients

• No preservatives or artificial additives: Commercial products are usually full of preservatives – BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, etc. – not at all for a long run health.
• No fillers: Most of those store-bought treats are made of “meat by-products” or “meat meal” rather than real good quality ingredients.
• Allergy-friendly options: My sister’s dog is allergic to chicken, and finding commercially chicken-free treats was surprisingly hard.

Cost-Effective

• Making treats at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay for premium natural treats.
• A $2 sweet potato can yield dozens of treats that would cost $15+ at a boutique pet store.

Freshness Factor

• Unlike those commercially available products, homemade goodies do not sit in warehouses and store shelves for months.
• Small batch making often means no preservatives at all.

Bonding Experience

• My kids enjoy helping with making “cookies for Mocha” and it has now become a family bonding experience in which they learn to take care of pets.

Tailored to Your Dog’s Needs

• Ingredients can be changed to suit any dietary needs or preferences.
• Make them any size you want, whether for training treats, dental reasons, or just because your dog likes a shape!

Sweet Potato: A Superfood for Dogs

Isn’t sweet potato delightful? The true magic happens when it comes to nutrition for our four-legged family members! Let’s explore what it does for them:

Nutritional Quite A Lot

• Vitamin A: A medium sweet potato has over 400% of the daily vitamin A requirement for humans. In dogs, vitamin A supports eyesight, growth, and immune functions.
• Vitamin C: Provides antioxidants and supports immunity.
• Vitamin B6: Vital for brain health, nerve health, and protein metabolism.
• Potassium: Powers proper muscle and nerve functions.
• Dietary Fiber: Powers proper muscle and nerve functions.
• Beta-carotene: This antioxidant gives the sweet potato its orange hue.
• Low fat content: Only 0.1g per 100g, a boon for ideal weight.

Benefits for Dogs

• Digestive Health: Fiber in sweet potato provides proverbial roughage to bulk stool for smooth bowel movements, thus preventing diarrhea or constipation.
• Antioxidant Properties: Vitamins A, C, and beta-carotene contribute to cell damage-fighting properties.
• Dental Health: Sweet potato supplied dry chews can further reduce plaque build-up.
• Energy Source: Unlike simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates provide sustained energy.

Essential Ingredients Breakdown

Sweet Potatoes

• Varieties: Common varieties include Jewel, Garnet, and Beauregard, which all have somewhat different sweetness profiles, yet any of them will work.
• Organic vs. Conventional: Organic is better if your pocket allows since you will be feeding them to your dog regularly, as sweet potatoes absorb pesticides.
• Preparation: Wash thoroughly, getting out any green or sprouting parts.

Peanut Butter

• IMPORTANT Safety Warning: Use ONLY peanut butter that contains no xylitol or any other such artificial sweeteners, as xylitol can be toxic to dogs, however little the amount may be.
• Best picks: Select “natural” peanut butter that has peanuts with perhaps a little salt as ingredients.
• Advantanges: Protein, healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E.

Oat Flour

• Why oats: Easy to digest and less likely to cause allergies when compared to wheat.
• Manufacturing: Blend the old-fashioned oats in a food processor to a fine powder.
• Benefits: Contains soluble fiber that benefits cholesterol and digestive health.

Eggs

• Purpose: Acts like a binder and adds protein and important amino acids.
• Selection: Free-range eggs typically have better nutritional profiles.
• Alternative: For dogs with egg allergies, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce can work as a binder.

Plain Yogurt

• Advantages: Offers calcium, protein, and probiotics for gut health.
• Choice: Plain, unsweetened types with active cultures.
• Warning: Some dogs cannot tolerate lactose, so start with small amounts.

Honey

• Feature: A natural sweetener with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
• Moderation: Dogs don’t need so much sweetness, so use sparingly.
• Type: Raw, unfiltered honey offers the most benefits.

Cinnamon

• Benefits: Has anti-inflammatory properties and can help regulate blood sugar.
• Amount: Use in very small quantities – a little goes a long way.

Recipe Collection

1. Classic Sweet Potato Chews

Last week, my Lab Mocha stood by the oven door for the entire baking time of these treats. When I say these are dog-approved, I mean it’s like I’m cooking filet mignon in there!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 large sweet potatoes (about 1.5 pounds)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly, scrubbing to remove any dirt.
3. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
4. For smaller dogs: Slice into ¼-inch thick rounds.
5. For larger dogs: Cut lengthwise into ¼-inch thick slabs.
6. For training treats: Cut into smaller pieces about 1-inch square.
7. Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet – don’t overcrowd!
8. Bake for 2.5-3 hours until the treats are chewy but not brittle.
9. For crispier treats, leave in the turned-off oven as it cools.
10. Cool completely before serving.

Texture Variations:

• Chewy: Bake for less time (about 2 hours)
• Crunchy: Bake longer (3+ hours) or slice thinner

Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.

2. Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sweet potato (weighs roughly 8 ounces), cooked and mashed (1 cup roughly)
• ¼ cup natural peanut butter (XYLITOL-FREE)
• 2 cups oat flour (or all-purpose if your pooch isn’t sensitive to wheat)
• 1 large egg
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. To prepare sweet potato: Either bake it whole for 40-50 minutes at 400°F until soft, microwave for 5-8 minutes, or take peeled chunks and boil them for 15 minutes. Let it cool completely.
3. In a nice big bowl, combine mashed sweet potato and peanut butter, mixing until blended.
4. Beats egg and mix well.
5. Gradually mix in flour and cinnamon, but form a workable dough; add a bit more flour if too sticky, or if too dry add a tablespoon of water.
6. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and roll it out to ¼-inch thick rolls.
7. Cut using cookie cutters, or just slice them into squares using a knife or a pizza cutter.
8. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about ½ inch apart.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges visibly golden and treats harden.
10. Let cool on a wire rack completely before serving.

Storage: Store in an airtight container for not more than 1 week at room temperature, 3 weeks in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to 3 months.

3. Frozen Sweet Potato & Yogurt Treats

Perfect for summer! These are Mocha’s favorite after our afternoon walks. I keep a stash in the freezer during those hot July days when even the sprinkler can’t keep her cool.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed sweet potato (cooked and cooled)
• 1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt (Greek or regular)
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, alcohol-free)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional, but excellent for skin and hair care).

Instructions:

1. Combine everything into a bowl until nicely mixed and smooth.
2. For easy serving: Spoon into ice cube trays or silicone molds.
3. To impress: transfer to a piping bag and pipe swirls into silicone molds.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
5. Pop out treats as needed.
6. Let thaw for 2-3 minutes before serving to avoid brain freeze!

Variations:

• Add 2 tablespoons of pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
• Mix in ¼ cup blueberries (mashed) for antioxidant boost
• Add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley for breath freshening

Storage: Keep in freezer for up to 3 months in airtight container.

Looking for more ways to spoil your pup? Check out these other sweet potato dog treat recipes!

Tips for Making & Storing Dog Treats

Preparation Tips

• Ingredient temperature: Room temperature ingredients blend more easily.
• Consistency matters: Dough should be firm enough to roll but not sticky.
• Even sizes: Try to make treats uniform in size for even baking.
• Parchment paper is your friend: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Cookie cutters: Bone shapes are cute, but any shape works! I use my kids’ abandoned cookie cutters.

Storage Best Practices

• Cool completely: Always let treats cool completely before storing to prevent moisture build-up.
• Refrigeration: Homemade treats lack preservatives, so refrigeration extends shelf life.
• Freezing: Most treats freeze well. Portion them in weekly amounts for convenience.
• Storage containers: Use airtight glass or BPA-free plastic containers.
• Labeling: Mark containers with the date made and ingredients (helpful if sharing with dog-parent friends).

When to Toss Treats

• Visual inspection: Discard if you see mold or discoloration.
• Smell test: Trust your nose – if it smells off, it’s time to make a new batch.
• Standard timeline: Generally, refrigerated treats last 2-3 weeks; room temperature treats 5-7 days.

Serving Guidelines

• Treats are treats: No matter how healthy, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
• New treats: Introduce slowly to ensure no digestive upset.
• Size appropriate: Break larger treats into pieces for smaller dogs.
• Supervision: Always watch your dog with a new treat to ensure they chew properly.

Special Considerations

For Dogs With Health Conditions

• Diabetes: Reduce or eliminate honey, use less sweet potato.
• Weight management: Make treats smaller, use less fat.
• Sensitive stomachs: Stick to simpler recipes with fewer ingredients.
• Allergies: Always check with your veterinarian if your dog has known food sensitivities.

When to Consult Your Vet

• Before introducing homemade treats if your dog is on a prescription diet
• If your dog has kidney disease (may need to limit certain minerals)
• If your dog has a history of pancreatitis (may need lower fat options)
• If your dog takes medications that might interact with certain foods

The Joy of Homemade Treats

Making homemade treats involves much more than the mere substitution of a healthy option for a commercial one; they also enhance the bond between you and your pet. In the midst of our hectic schedules, it feels like the least we can do is to spare a moment or two to prepare something special for those loving four-legged family members.

We would love to hear your stories about these recipes or if you have variations that your dogs particularly enjoy!

Looking for more homemade pup-approved snacks? Try these:

• Easy Homemade Dog Treats with Banana and Carrot
• Healthy Blueberry Snacks for Your Pup
• Dog Treats Homemade with Oats to Warm Their Hearts
• No-Bake Dog Snacks with Banana, Oats and Peanut Butter
• Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Dog Treats
• Dog Training Treats Your Pup Will Love

Remember: Always introduce new treats slowly to test for any sensitivities, and consult with your veterinarian if your dog has special dietary needs or health concerns. These treats are meant as an occasional reward, not a meal replacement.