Treats For Dogs With Allergies

As any devoted dog parent knows, our furry friends aren’t just pets – they’re beloved members of the family. So when they start showing signs of food allergies or sensitivities, it can be incredibly stressful trying to find treats they can safely enjoy without risking any reactions.

From itchy skin and ear infections to vomiting and diarrhea, the symptoms of dog food allergies run the gamut and can seriously diminish your pup’s quality of life if left unaddressed. But before you resign yourself to a future of flavorless treats, hear me out!

With just a little bit of kitchen creativity, you can whip up an endless array of healthy, allergy-friendly goodies right at home using a handful of simple, vet-approved ingredients. Not only does home baking allow you to cut out any offending allergens, you’ll also gain total control over nutrients while avoiding any scary preservatives or fillers.

As someone who’s navigated the tricky world of dog food allergies myself over the years, I’m here to share my go-to recipes and tips for homemade treats that will have your pup’s tail wagging from the very first bite – without any fear of tummy troubles.

The Benefits of Homemade Dog Treats

Before we dive into my favorite allergy-friendly recipes, let’s talk about why baking at home is such a game-changer if your pup has food sensitivities:

You control every single ingredient for complete peace of mind around potential allergens and irritants. No more mystery meat or vague “natural flavors!”

Treats are prepared fresh without any added preservatives, artificial colors, or other chemical nasties found in many commercial options.

Customizing recipes to suit your dog’s unique dietary needs while still keeping things deliciously enticing is a total breeze.

Home baking is budget-friendly, especially for dogs requiring specialty protein sources or exotic ingredients to stay symptom-free.

The baking process itself is a fun bonding experience to tackle with your favorite floof!

Getting a Dog Allergy Diagnosis

Of course, before committing to any major diet overhauls for your doggie, you’ll first want to get them properly tested for any food allergies by your vet. Attempting to self-diagnose can lead to cutting out foods unnecessarily and creating an even more unbalanced diet.

Most vets will recommend an elimination diet combined with an ingredient challenge to isolate the culprit proteins or ingredients causing issues. This systematic process of removing potential allergens from your dog’s diet until symptoms clear up is key to pinpointing safe and unsafe foods.

Common food allergens for dogs include:

Proteins like chicken, beef, eggs, dairy
Grains like wheat, corn, soy
Artificial preservatives, dyes, and flavor enhancers

But remember, each dog is unique! So what may be an allergen for one pup could be totally fine for another. Working closely with your vet is crucial.

Sweet Potato Pupsicles (Grain-Free)

Okay, now for the fun part – easy, allergen-free recipes your pup is guaranteed to go mutts over! Let’s kick things off with a cool, refreshing treat perfect for beating those hot summer days.

These frozen sweet potato “pupsicles” are not only delicious, they’re also packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that will do a doggy body good. Plus, they can be whipped up with just 3-4 simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Simply blend together:

1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
1 mashed ripe banana or 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2-3 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free, if your pup is OK with peanuts)
1/4 cup dairy-free milk like oat, almond, or coconut to thin out the mixture as needed

Pour into your popsicle molds or ice cube trays and freeze for 2-3 hours until solid. These naturally sweet frozen pops are not just a tasty cool-down for your pup – the ingredients also offer anti-inflammatory benefits while providing an allergy-friendly source of protein, healthy fats, and digestive fiber.

For even more fruity variations, you can blend in things like:

• Mashed berries
• Pumpkin puree
• Shredded carrots or zucchini
• Coconut milk or coconut oil

Just be sure to avoid any ingredients you know trigger your pup’s allergies or intolerances, like dairy or certain fruits.

Crunchy Veggie Dehydrated Chews

For a satisfying, low-calorie chew that will keep your pup happily gnawing for hours, look no further than this dehydrated veggie treat. They’re basically the healthier, homemade version of those processed meat jerky chews – minus any of the iffy ingredients and sky-high sodium levels.

Made with a trio of skin-soothing veggies like sweet potato, pumpkin, and zucchini, these crunchy bites offer tons of filling fiber and essential vitamins. Yet they’re perfect for dogs with even the most sensitive stomachs since they contain zero meat, grains, dairy, or eggs.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 2 cups cubed pumpkin or butternut squash
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 2 tbsp olive, avocado, or coconut oil
• Your pup’s favorite dog-safe dried herbs like parsley, rosemary, etc. (optional)

Toss all the veggie slices with the oil and any dried herbs until fully coated. Then arrange in a single layer on dehydrator trays or baking sheets if using the oven. Dehydrate at 135°F for 6-10 hours, flipping once halfway.

You want the veggie chews to be fully dried out and crunchy, yet still slightly flexible when cooled. Once done, store them in an airtight container or bag and these shelf-stable treats will stay fresh for weeks!

For a fun twist, try dehydrating other allergy-friendly produce like:

• Green beans
• Carrot slices
• Apple rings
• Banana chips
• Meaty mushrooms like portobello or cremini

Peanut Butter Oat Crunchies

Looking for a simple baked treat that’s not only delicious but packed with nutrients? These peanut butter oat crunchies check all the boxes!

Made with just 5 basic ingredients, this gluten-free and grain-free recipe is a total crowd-pleaser while being suitable for pups with allergies to wheat, eggs, dairy, and more. Plus, they’re loaded with health-boosting benefits:

• The oats offer prebiotics, fiber, and nutrients like vitamin B, iron, and antioxidants
• Peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free) provides protein and healthy fats
• Bananas add potassium, fiber, magnesium, and natural sweetness
• Coconut oil provides an energy boost while aiding digestion

Simply whisk together:

• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oat flour
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 mashed ripe banana
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1-2 tbsp water as needed to form a dough

Roll or scoop the dough into bite-sized balls and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes, then let cool completely before serving.

These crunchy, bite-sized nuggets have a flavor dogs can’t resist with their nutty, sweet-salty profile. Yet they also deliver an allergy-friendly nutritional punch to fuel all adventures, big and small.

Savory Garden Biscuits

For pups who prefer their treats on the heartier, more savory side, try whipping up a batch of these garden-fresh biscuits. Featuring a powerhouse combo of nutrient-dense veggies and natural sources of protein, they’re my go-to for dogs needing a little extra nourishment – especially senior citizens.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup oat, brown rice, or gluten-free flour
• 1 cup shredded zucchini (moisture squeezed out)
• 1/2 cup finely grated carrots