ByThese easy spinach dog treats use a small amount of cooked spinach, oat flour, an egg, and applesauce. They take about 40 minutes and make roughly 36 crunchy treats. The key to making them safe is keeping spinach small and occasional, because spinach is high in oxalic acid. Skip them if your dog has kidney disease or a history of bladder stones.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 18-20 minutes
- Total time: About 40 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: About 36 one-inch treats
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage life: 7 days in the fridge, 2-3 months in the freezer
✅ Key Takeaway: Spinach isn’t toxic to dogs, but it’s high in oxalates. Use a small amount, serve the treats only now and then, and ask your vet first if your dog has kidney or urinary problems.
I wanted a green treat that sneaks in a little veggie without going overboard. That’s the trick with spinach. A little goes a long way, and more is not better.
Is Spinach Safe for Dogs?
Yes, in small amounts for most healthy dogs. The AKC explains that spinach is high in oxalic acid, which can block calcium absorption and stress the kidneys, but that a dog would have to eat a very large amount to be harmed, and dogs with healthy kidneys handle small amounts. PetMD agrees that fresh spinach is usually okay for most dogs, and warns against canned spinach because of the salt.
Spinach is not a toxic plant. If you want to know which plants are dangerous, see Poisonous Plants to Dogs.
Which Dogs Should Skip Spinach Treats?
Skip these treats if your dog has kidney disease, a history of bladder or kidney stones, or is on a prescription kidney or urinary diet. Talk to your vet before feeding spinach to puppies too.
🩺 Vet Tip: Not sure? Ask your vet one question: “Is my dog okay with high-oxalate foods like spinach?” It takes 30 seconds and settles it.
How Much Spinach Is in Each Treat?
Very little. The whole batch uses about 1 cup of packed raw spinach, which cooks down to roughly ¼ cup. Spread across about 36 treats, that’s about a third of a teaspoon of cooked spinach per treat. That’s a taste, not a serving of salad. I worked that out myself from the recipe, so treat it as an estimate.
What Do I Need to Make Spinach Dog Treats?
Five ingredients. Here’s the recipe card.
Homemade Spinach Dog Treats: Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed fresh baby spinach
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups oat flour (or blend about 2½ cups rolled oats until fine)
- 2-4 tablespoons water, as needed
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Steam the spinach for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Let it cool.
- Squeeze out all the water with a clean towel. This keeps your dough from getting soggy.
- Chop the spinach very fine, or blend it with the egg and applesauce.
- In a large bowl, mix the spinach mixture with the oat flour.
- Add water one tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together.
- Roll the dough ¼ inch thick on a floured counter.
- Cut into small shapes and place them on the pan.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until firm and lightly golden.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
🐾 Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Spinach: Plain fresh or frozen. No canned (too salty), no creamed spinach, and never spinach dip.
- Applesauce: Unsweetened only. No added sugar, and no xylitol.
- Add-ins: Skip garlic, onion, and seasoned broth. Many store broths have salt and sometimes onion or garlic.
- Cheese or bacon: Tempting flavor boosters, but they add salt and fat. I leave them out.
💡 Pro Tip: Squeezing the spinach dry is the step people skip. Wet spinach makes a sticky, gummy dough, and you end up adding too much flour.
Should I Cook the Spinach First?
Yes. Steaming softens the leaves so they mix into the dough, and cooking can lower some of the oxalates. It does not remove them, so portion size still matters. Use plain water. No butter, oil, or salt.
Can My Dog Eat These Every Day?
No. Make these an occasional treat, not a daily one. Treats of all kinds should stay under 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Read How Many Treats Should a Dog Have a Day? for how to figure that out.
Each treat is about 25-30 calories (my estimate from the ingredients). Because of the oxalates, I’d start even lower than usual:
- Small dogs (under 20 lb): 1 treat
- Medium dogs (20-50 lb): 1-2 treats
- Large dogs (over 50 lb): 2-3 treats
Use these as conservative starting points, not vet rules. Give a treat only occasionally.
Should My Dog Drink More Water With Spinach?
Fresh water should always be available, and that’s especially wise with any high-oxalate food. If your dog isn’t a big drinker, a dog water fountain can encourage more sips. For how much water dogs need, see How Long Can a Dog Go Without Water?
How Do I Store and Freeze Spinach Dog Treats?
Store cooled treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Freeze them in a flat layer, then bag them, for 2-3 months. Because they’re baked with fresh spinach and egg, I don’t keep them out on the counter. If you see mold or smell anything sour, throw them out.
Curious how your dog handles a new treat? Keep an eye out for soft stools, vomiting, or unusual thirst. A dog health tracker can help you spot changes in behavior, and I reviewed one in Maven Pet Review: The Best Dog Health Tracker.
What Can I Swap in Spinach Dog Treats?
I’d test each swap on a half batch first.
- Grain-free: Replace the oat flour with a mix of coconut flour and another dog-safe flour. Coconut flour is very thirsty, so add it slowly. Treats may be softer.
- No egg: Use 2 more tablespoons of applesauce. The dough will be softer.
- Veggie swap: Prefer something with no oxalate worry? Try Easy Carrot Dog Treat Bites or Homemade Easy Sweet Potato Dog Treats.
- Training-size: Cut ½-inch bits and use them as rewards. They’re small, so they add up slowly.
- Skip the baking: Store-bought treats are fine on busy days. Here are my picks in Best Treats for Dogs and a dog treat option.
Treats are extras. A complete, balanced diet is what your dog’s body runs on. If you’re looking to upgrade meals, see this variety meal plan.
FAQ
Q: Is spinach safe for dogs? A: In small amounts, for most healthy dogs, yes. It’s high in oxalic acid, so it’s not a daily vegetable. Skip it if your dog has kidney disease or a history of bladder stones. (AKC)
Q: Can dogs eat raw spinach? A: Fresh spinach is usually okay for most dogs (PetMD). For treats, I steam it so it mixes into the dough.
Q: Can I use frozen spinach? A: Yes. Thaw it, squeeze out the water, and chop it fine. Make sure it’s plain, with no sauce or seasoning.
Q: How many spinach treats can my dog have? A: Start with 1-3 depending on size, only now and then. Ask your vet if you’re unsure.
Q: Are spinach treats safe for puppies? A: Check with your vet first. I’d skip them for young puppies.
Q: What should I never add to homemade dog treats? A: Xylitol, chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, macadamia nuts. See What Dog Cannot Eat.
For more on making treats at home, see Are Homemade Dog Treats Healthier Than Your Usual Brand?
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This recipe is for healthy adult dogs. Check with your vet before adding new foods, especially for puppies, seniors, or dogs with kidney or urinary conditions.
