Are Homemade Dog Treats Healthier Than Your Usual Brand?

Are homemade dog treats healthier than your usual brand?

The answer is… it depends.

But here’s the thing—after years of watching dog owners stress over what they’re feeding their furry friends, I’ve discovered that most people get this question completely backwards.

Here’s a stat that’ll make your head spin: Large proportion of store-bought dog treats contain artificial preservatives and fillers that your dog doesn’t actually need. That’s right. Seven out of ten bags sitting on your shelf right now might be loaded with stuff that would make you go “umm, no thanks” if you saw it in your own snack aisle.

But before you panic and spend the next three weekends baking liver biscuits, let me break this down for you in a way that actually makes sense.

The Real Truth About Homemade vs. Store-Bought Dog Treats

Here’s what I’ve learned: homemade dog treats can be healthier—but only if you know what you’re doing. Store-bought treats? They’re not all bad. They’re just… different.

Think of it like this: buying treats for your dog is like choosing between a home-cooked meal and eating at a chain restaurant. Both can be healthy. Both can be terrible. It all depends on what’s actually in there.

Why Store-Bought Treats Get a Bad Rap

The commercial dog treat industry is huge. We’re talking billions of dollars. And you know what happens when there’s that much money involved? Corners get cut.

Most commercial treats include:

• Artificial colors and flavors (your dog can’t see the red dye, but it’s there)
• Preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin (yeah, try pronouncing that)
• Fillers that bulk up the product without adding nutrition
• High sodium content that can lead to health issues over time

But here’s the kicker—not all commercial brands are equal. Some are genuinely great. Others? They’re basically junk food in a cute package.

“The best treat for your dog isn’t about whether it’s homemade or store-bought. It’s about whether you actually know what’s in it.” – Common sense dog nutrition

The Homemade Advantage (When You Get It Right)

When you make treats at home, you control the ingredients. That’s powerful stuff.

What you get with homemade treats:

1. No artificial preservatives – Your treats will last as long as you store them (usually 1-2 weeks in an airtight container)
2. Real ingredients – If you use peanut butter, your dog is eating actual peanut butter
3. Customization – Got a dog with allergies? Make treats without that ingredient
4. Lower cost – Yeah, you save money too
5. That warm fuzzy feeling – Your dog is eating something you made

I remember when my buddy Jake’s dog Rusty started getting itchy skin. The vet suspected it was the treats. Jake switched to homemade pumpkin and oat biscuits, and within two weeks, Rusty was back to his happy self. That’s the kind of difference you can see.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: The Real Comparison

But Wait—There’s a Catch

Here’s where most people mess up their homemade treats: they don’t actually know what dogs need.

Listen, I love enthusiasm. I love when someone says, “I’m going to make the best treats ever for my pup!” But then they add chocolate chips or grapes or xylitol (a sweetener that’s toxic to dogs), and suddenly they’ve created a treat time bomb.

The dangerous ingredients hiding in bad homemade treats:

• Chocolate ✗
• Grapes and raisins ✗
• Avocado ✗
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener) ✗
• Macadamia nuts ✗
• Excessive salt ✗
• Too much garlic or onion ✗

If you’re going to make homemade treats, you need to do it right. That means knowing what’s safe and what isn’t.

Pro Tips for Making Treats Your Dog Will Actually Thrive On

Want a proven system for making healthy treats your dog will love? Check out our guide on what treats can dogs eat every day to make sure you’re hitting the mark.

Here’s what I recommend:

1. Start simple – Use just 3-4 ingredients (peanut butter, oats, banana, eggs)
2. Skip the sugar – Dogs don’t need it, and it causes problems
3. Store properly – Freeze homemade treats to extend shelf life
4. Rotate your homemade treats with quality commercial ones – You don’t have to be 100% homemade to be healthy
5. Watch portion sizes – Treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories

Want to learn more about other treat options? Check out our breakdown on are bully sticks really good for dogs? and explore the best treats for dogs we recommend.

The Verdict: So… Are Homemade Treats Healthier?

Let me give it to you straight: homemade treats are healthier only if you make them properly. There’s no magic in homemade. There’s just control.

A well-made homemade peanut butter and oat treat? Absolutely better than a commercial treat loaded with preservatives. But a poorly made homemade treat with the wrong ingredients? It’s worse than the commercial version.

Here’s what I actually recommend: Use a hybrid approach.

Make homemade treats 50% of the time for that personalized, ingredient-controlled goodness. Then supplement with high-quality, low-preservative commercial treats that meet your standards. This way you get the best of both worlds—convenience and control.

Need quality commercial options to round out your treat rotation? Browse our variety of dog meals and dog treats that actually have clean ingredients.

Key Takeaways

✓ Homemade treats CAN be healthier, but only with the right ingredients and knowledge

✓ Most store-bought treats contain artificial preservatives, but not all brands are equal

✓ Never use chocolate, grapes, xylitol, or macadamia nuts in homemade treats

✓ A hybrid approach works best—mix homemade and quality commercial treats

✓ Always check the ingredient labels on store-bought treats before buying

✓ Portion control matters more than whether treats are homemade or commercial

One More Thing…………

Your dog’s health is about more than just treats. It’s about the whole picture: nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and overall wellness.

If you’re serious about giving your dog the best life possible, consider adding dog supplements to support their health alongside good treats. And if you want to work on behavioral issues while training with treats? Our brain training for dogs program is a game-changer.

You’ve got this. Now go make some treats—or pick some good ones from the store. Your dog won’t judge either way.

Your Next Steps:

1. Review your current treats – Check those ingredient labels right now
2. Try one homemade recipe – Start simple with peanut butter and oats
3. Find quality commercial treats – You’ll need a backup plan
4. Track your dog’s response – Notice any changes in energy, coat, or digestion

Ready to optimize your dog’s entire wellness routine? 

Explore can dogs eat peanuts safely?, can dogs eat banana?, and can I give my dog sweet treats? to round out your treat knowledge base.

Your dog deserves the best. Now you know how to deliver it.