With the best dog treat molds, you can take your pup's snacks to the next level. Homemade dog treats can be a good option for dogs with special dietary needs, but they can also be a smart choice for pet parents who want to pass on expensive store-bought snacks. You can also alternate between the best dog treats and homemade goodies to give your dog more variety.
Many types of molds can create the ideal homemade treat. We like silicone dog treat molds because they are an excellent option for freezing and baking, but standard metal and aluminum molds also work well. From wells shaped like classic bones to fun dinosaur designs, we've rounded up the best molds for dog treats that have something for every pup. Molding Moulding
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In general, it's OK to make homemade treats for your dog, says Dr. Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with The Vets mobile veterinary service. But it's important to keep an eye on the treat's ingredients and how many calories your pet consumes. "The main thing I worry about more with treats is overdoing treats and then not counting those calories as part of the overall calories for the dog," Savageau says. Treats should not be more than 10% of your dog's total diet, according to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. We recommend consulting your veterinarian if you're unsure about how many treats to give your pet each day.
John Ellett, owner of Pupster Bakery in New York City, says the best dog treat molds are heat-resistant, freezer-safe, BPA-free, and nontoxic. Ellett recommends getting your dog the same quality products you would get for yourself. Silicone dog treat molds are generally safe for your dog's homemade treats because they are usually food-grade and can be trusted to handle edible materials, he says
If you opt for nonstick treat molds, you won't have to worry about using oil. But Savageau
says to go easy on the butter and oil if you're using a regular mold. "In general, keeping any oils and fats to a minimum is going to be better just to try to avoid pancreatitis," she says. Savageau also recommends steering clear of avocado oil, since it's a food dogs shouldn't eat.
Fresh fruits and vegetables served in moderation are the treats of choice for Dr. Julie Churchill, a veterinary nutritionist at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Various fruits and veggies can be used in homemade dog treats, but it's important to check with your veterinarian to see what they would and wouldn't recommend for your dog.
For homemade treats, Ellett says he likes to start with a healthy base like unsalted and unsweetened peanut butter that can be built upon with other ingredients to make a vet-approved tasty snack. You can also find a list list of safe safe foods for dogs on the ASPCA website. Just be careful with what you put into your dog's treats because there are many ingredients to avoid, such as artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is also known as birch and wood sugar.
If you're hesitant about changing your dog's diet with homemade treats, you can take a small portion of your pup's regular food and freeze it, according to veterinarians at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Freezing some of your dog's normal food can add variety to your pup's diet without introducing new foods or additional calories.
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