Easy Homemade Dog Treats Recipes:
Cracker Backs

Prepare easy homemade dog treats from crackers and dips

Make practically free homemade dog treats by taking a piece of cracker, passing it through a dip, and giving it to your dog for a treat.

To prepare, simply break crackers into the right size pieces for your dog, then scoop about 1/4 tsp of dip onto each piece you serve. Three to six of these treats in a day should be plenty.

To store, refrigerate unused dip and put cracker pieces in an airtight container till the next time.


THE CRACKERS

Note that all crackers are not created equal when it comes to making these easy homemade dog treats. Many varieties have too much salt, sugar and fat to be healthy, even in small amounts.

Fortunately, there are some types of cracker you can buy that you can safely offer. Just read the labels and watch out for ingredients such as corn syrup, sodium, maltodextrin, or hydrogenated anything. Dietary fiber is another clue. If it's showing as 1 g or less, you may want to skip that particular type of cracker.

Also note that chewed crackers stick to teeth so you'll need to pay extra attention to your dog's dental hygiene.


HOMEMADE DIPS

Given that most people dips you buy are too full of salt, never mind sugar and fats, we encourage you to make your own. Making your own healthy dog dips is super easy and it's fun to experiment with your own combinations.

Note: Foods toxic to dogs and therefore ingredients to avoid include: Alcohol, artificial sweeteners, avocado, chocolate, onion (and onion powder), and salt.

BEAN DIPS:

• Take unsalted, unsweetened canned beans and puree them in a food processor or mash by hand
• Add 1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil per 1/2 cup of dip
• Add water as needed to get the right consistency
• Season to taste with cumin, curry powder or sage

• Carob mixed 1/2 cup of any of the dairy products below
• Add 1 tsp of honey

• Plain yogurt
• Sour cream
• Cottage cheese, mashed and mixed with yogurt or sour cream to get the right consistency

• 1/4 C fish
• 2 tbsp C cream cheese, plain yogurt or sour cream or
1 tbsp cottage cheese mixed with 1 tbsp milk
• Add 1/4 tsp dill, tarragon, or dried parsley

• Almond, cashew, peanut, and soy nut butter
• Add 1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil per 1/4 C to get a good consistency for dipping
• For a crunchier, more nutritious dip, add 2 tbsp of dry milk and 1 tbsp oil per 1/4 C

• Pureed or mashed cooked green beans and carrots -
  Add 1 tsp dill or 1/2 tsp nutmeg per 1/4 cup
• Pureed or mashed cooked peas and potatoes -
  Add 1 tsp curry or mustard powder, 1/2 tsp sage, 1/4 tsp black pepper and 2 tbsp dry milk (optional) per 1/4 cup
• Pureed or mashed squashes -Add 1 tsp honey with 1/2 tsp cinammon per 1/4 cup