PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

4 best cookbooks under $16 for DIY dog treats

If you’re ready to make DIY dog treats but don’t know where to begin, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll go over a few of the best dog treat cookbooks for any pup-friendly home. Want to know the best news? They’re all under $16, so you won’t have to break the bank just to try something new for your doggo.

While there are many fun, healthy cookbooks for dog treats, these are some of our favorites. They each have their own take on canine cuisine, so it’s worth a browse to see what fits your needs the best.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Three Dog Bakery Cookbook by Dan Dye 

It doesn’t get more nostalgic than this. This 1998 doggy cookbook classic is 80 pages of adorable artwork and creative recipes, including aptly named indulgences like “SnickerPoodles.” Three Dog Bakery aims to use natural, whole ingredients in creating culinary masterpieces for man’s best friend, and this book contains a few of their secrets.

Recommended Videos

Dan Dye’s book is a great way to introduce anyone to the kitchen, including your kids! They’ll love this cute book just as much as they’ll love bonding with their pup. It’s truly a cookbook for everyone.

The Ultimate Homemade Dog Treat Cookbook: Tasty and Healthy Treat Recipes Your Dog Will Love by Anthony Boundy 

As the name of this book implies, there are all kinds of treats to be found here: breath-freshening snacks, refreshing frozen treats, and more! Boundy mentions that the negative health effects of commercial dog food are what inspired this book and the whole-ingredient, health-conscious mindset that went into it.

The first chapter begins with recipes like the Carrot, Zucchini, and Spinach Dog Treats, which are classic bone-shaped biscuits. There are tons of easy recipes for even the most beginner dog cooks, but you’ll find plenty of more complex treats to try making as well!

The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook by Jessica Disbrow Talley & Eric Talley

As well as being organic and health-conscious, these recipes were thought up by some of the best. The folks at Bubba Rose Biscuit Company have compiled 25 of their most sought-after recipes for you to make right in your own kitchen. With chapters like “The Sandwich Board” and “5th Ave Decadence,” this canine cookbook has ideas for any flavor, texture, or occasion.

As if the human-tested and dog-approved snack recipes weren’t inspiring enough, it even comes with a few canine-themed cookie cutters. These little tools will help keep your serving sizes consistent — and adorable!

Doggy Desserts: 125 Homemade Treats for Happy, Healthy Dogs by Cheryl Gianfrancesco 

Don’t let this book’s sweet title fool you: These treats don’t have to be unhealthy to be tasty! From special holiday treats to everyday biscuits and bones, this bakery takes you through them all step-by-step — with photographs to help! Many recipes are health conscious and ideal for dogs who may be watching their figure, but that doesn’t make them any less delicious. In fact, with recipes like granola bars and watermelon sherbet, you may want to sample them yourself!

Whether you’re looking for a special treat for your pup, or it’s just time to try something new, one of these books is bound to have what you need. These publications were all designed with pet parents in mind (and their dog, too, of course!), so you won’t encounter anything too hard to find or out of the ordinary. Only yummy, nutritious recipes here. Bone Appetit!

Editors' Recommendations

Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Are Himalayan dog chews safe for your pet? Know this before you buy
These dogs treats are still trendy but should probably be eaten in moderation

What do blueberries, kale, and broccoli all have in common? In addition to being delicious, all three are part of the group of so-called superfoods. Unfortunately, there's no federally regulated definition for the term, but Harvard scientists claim food that "offers high levels of desirable nutrients, is linked to the prevention of a disease, or is believed to offer several simultaneous health benefits beyond its nutritional value" can be labeled superfoods. 

Just like you might add chia seeds to your granola or spirulina powder to your smoothies for additional vitamins and minerals, you also want to make sure your dog's food and treats pack a beneficial wallop. Made famous on Shark Tank, Himalayan dog chews have become one of the most hotly debated treats in the pet food game, which begs the question, "Are Himalayan dog chews as healthy as some people think?"

Read more
Can dogs eat mango? Read this first
Find out if this tropical fruit is safe for your pup

As humans, we love to share with our dogs. Perhaps your pet snuggles up to you in bed, sharing — or stealing — your blankets. Sharing experiences, like holiday activities, can also be a fun way to bond.

Food can get dicier, though. Some human-favorite items, like chocolate, are toxic for dogs. Others make fine (and even healthy) treats. If mango is your favorite fruit, you might want to slip your pet some. Also, your dog might always be around the fruit and sneak some off your plate. Can dogs eat mango safely? Generally, the answer to this question is yes, but there are some caveats. Also, correctly serving a mango is critical. Before throwing your dog a piece of this sweet fruit, here's what to know.

Read more
Can dogs eat celery? The do’s and don’ts you should know
Your pup will probably love a veggie snack now and then

Your dog's favorite snacks might include dog biscuits, fancy chews, or even that bacon you dropped on the floor one time, but can dogs eat celery? The truth is lots of dogs like veggies, even bland ones such as celery. While you wouldn't want this green and healthy nibble to become a staple in their diet, you can absolutely give your pup a celery snack now and then — and they might grow to love it.

Can dogs have raw celery?
As omnivores, our pet dogs need a balanced diet of both meat and plants. That's likely because their domestic history made them into scavengers thousands of years ago when our ancestors were still in the hunter-gatherer phase. In modern times, this diet preference has huge benefits because you can throw in some healthful treats that will give your pup a nutrition boost and keep them full.

Read more