When it comes to snacks for our furry friends, dog owners want to make sure they are giving their pups something that is safe, healthy and delicious. Cookies can be a great treat for dogs as long as they are made with dog-friendly ingredients. In this article, we will go over what types of cookies and cookie ingredients are good options for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cookies Made for Humans?
In short, no. Cookies made for human consumption often contain ingredients that are unsafe and even toxic for dogs, so it’s important to avoid giving dogs human cookies. Some of the most common human cookie ingredients that are unsafe for dogs include:
- Chocolate – Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are both toxic to dogs.
- Raisins and grapes – These dried fruits can cause kidney failure in dogs.
- Macadamia nuts – Macadamia nuts are poisonous to dogs.
- Xylitol – This common sugar-free sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs.
- Alcohol and yeast dough – The alcohol and yeast byproducts can cause alcohol poisoning in dogs.
- Excess fat and spices – Too much fat and heavily spiced cookies can upset a dog’s stomach.
For these reasons, it’s very important to avoid feeding dogs cookies made for human consumption and instead choose dog cookies made with safe ingredients.
Dog-Friendly Cookie Ingredients
When baking homemade dog cookies or choosing store-bought varieties, look for cookies made with these dog-safe ingredients:
- Whole grain flours – Whole wheat flour, oat flour, barley flour.
- Fruits and vegetables – Bananas, applesauce, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots.
- Peanut butter – Make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol.
- Eggs
- Oils – Canola oil, coconut oil.
- Honey
- Plain yogurt
- Cream cheese
When baking cookies for dogs, avoid using sugar, salt, spices, nutmeg, raisins, chocolate, and any artificial additives or preservatives. Stick to simple, natural ingredients.
Store-Bought Dog Cookie Brands
If you want the convenience of store-bought dog cookies, look for brands that make their products with dog-safe ingredients. Here are some top options to consider:
- Milk-Bone – A classic brand that makes various crunchy biscuits and soft baked treats.
- Blue Buffalo – Offers crunchy biscuits, soft baked cookies, and jerky cookie treats.
- Wellness – Natural baked cookies made with wholesome grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Newman’s Own – Organic ingredients including peanut butter, pumpkin, and apple.
- Cloud Star – Chewy truffle and crunchy biscuit treats. Grain and gluten-free options.
No matter what brand you choose, always read the ingredient labels carefully to check for any dog-unsafe ingredients before purchasing.
6 Healthy Homemade Dog Cookie Recipes
If you enjoy baking, making homemade dog cookies is a great way to control exactly what’s going into your pup’s treats. Here are a few healthy cookie recipes to try:
1. Peanut Butter & Banana Cookies
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup water
Mash banana and mix with peanut butter, egg and water. Add flour gradually to form a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
2. Pumpkin Oat Cookies
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
Mix together pumpkin, egg, and honey. Stir in remaining ingredients until a dough forms. Roll dough into balls and flatten slightly. Bake at 350F for 12 minutes.
3. Apple & Carrot Cookies
- 1 small apple, peeled and pureed
- 1 large carrot, shredded
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Mix together apple, carrot, egg and vegetable oil. Slowly stir in flour. Drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
4. Banana Biscuits
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
Mash bananas very well then mix in remaining ingredients. Roll out dough and cut into shapes. Bake at 350F for 14 minutes.
5. Sweet Potato Biscuits
- 1 cup mashed sweet potato
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
Mix together sweet potato, yogurt, honey, egg and cinnamon. Stir in flour and baking powder. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 400F for 14 minutes.
6. Bacon & Cheese Biscuits
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tbsp bacon bits
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 tbsp water
- 1 egg
Mix flour, bacon bits and cheese together. Stir in water and egg. Knead lightly. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 375F for 15 minutes.
Tips for Making Dog Cookies
Follow these tips for baking healthy homemade cookies your dog will love:
- Use dog-safe ingredients only
- Avoid adding salt, sugar or spices
- Stick to simple, whole food ingredients
- Bake at a low temperature like 300-375F
- Make smaller, bite-sized cookies
- Allow cookies to cool completely before feeding
- Store in an airtight container in fridge or freezer
How Many Cookies Can Dogs Eat?
It’s generally recommended to limit treats like cookies to no more than 10-15% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. The number of cookies this equals depends on the size of your dog. Here are some general cookie serving size guidelines based on weight:
| Dog Weight | Daily Cookie Serving |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | 2-3 small cookies |
| 10 lbs | 3-4 small cookies |
| 20 lbs | 5-6 small cookies |
| 30 lbs | 6-8 small cookies |
| 40 lbs | 9-10 small cookies |
| 50 lbs | 10-12 small cookies |
Keep in mind these are just general estimates and your own dog’s needs may vary. It’s always best to consult with your vet for specific advice on the right amount and type of treats for your dog.
Can Puppies Eat Cookies?
Puppies can start having an occasional cookie treat once they are fully weaned, around 8-12 weeks old. When introducing cookies, start slowly with just 1-2 bites at a time to make sure your pup tolerates them well.
Look for cookie recipes made with simple ingredients and relatively low sugar. Avoid hard, crunchy cookies that may be difficult for a puppy to chew and pose a choking risk.
Monitor your puppy closely when giving cookies and adjust serving sizes appropriately as they grow. Generally limit cookies to no more than 5-10% of a puppy’s daily calories.
Are Cookies Good Training Treats?
Cookies can work very well as rewards for training adult dogs and puppies. Look for recipes that make soft, chewy cookie that can easily be broken into small pieces.
Some good options include peanut butter cookies, pumpkin cookies, banana biscuits or carrot cake cookies. You want highly palatable cookies made with natural ingredients.
Break or cut cookies into dime-sized pieces and give your dog 1-2 pieces immediately after a successful command. Keep training sessions short to avoid overfeeding.
Can I Share My Cookies with My Dog?
It’s best not to share your own home-baked or store-bought cookies with your dog, as human cookies often contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs.
Even if a cookie recipe doesn’t intentionally contain chocolate, raisins, xylitol or other dog toxins, trace amounts can inadvertently get mixed in during baking. This poses a risk of poisoning.
Also, the high sugar content in most human cookies can be unhealthy for dogs. Instead of taking a chance on sharing your cookies, stick to dog cookies made with pet-safe recipes.
Monitoring Your Dog for Cookie Side Effects
When first introducing cookies, keep an eye out for any digestive upset like vomiting, diarrhea, gas or tummy rumbles. These are signs your dog may have a sensitivity or intolerance to an ingredient.
Additionally, monitor your dog’s weight regularly and cut back cookie portions if you notice any significant weight gain. Cookies are a fattening treat, so be careful not to overdo it.
Consult your vet if you have any concerns about the effect of cookies or other treats on your dog’s health and weight.
Cookie Ingredients to Always Avoid
Here is a list of cookie ingredients that should always be avoided in dog cookies:
- Chocolate or cocoa powder
- Raisins or grapes
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions or onion powder
- Garlic or garlic powder
- Yeast dough
- Xylitol
- Caffeine
- Salt
- Fat trimmings
Check ingredient labels carefully and do not feed your dog any cookies containing these. Even small amounts can be toxic.
Healthy Cookie Alternatives for Dogs
If your dog seems to have difficulty digesting cookies or gains too much weight from them, you can try these healthy treat alternatives instead:
- Pieces of fresh fruit – apple, banana, blueberries
- Sliced raw vegetables – carrot, sweet potato, zucchini
- Lean meat jerky treats
- Frozen broth lickable treats
- Peanut butter frozen in a Kong toy
- Low-fat Greek yogurt
- Dental chew sticks
There are lots of ways to give your dog a tasty, low-calorie treat without having to bake cookies. Mix up different options to keep treats exciting and healthy.
Conclusion
Cookies can make a fun and tasty treat for dogs as long as you choose recipes made with dog-safe ingredients. Avoid all human baked goods and instead opt for pet cookies made without sugar, salt, spices or toxins. When baking your own, use simple ingredients like peanut butter, pumpkin, carrots and whole grain flours. Always monitor your dog closely when first introducing cookies and adjust serving sizes appropriately for their weight.