At The Dog Chef, I’m frequently asked about the best flour for dog treats. And to be honest, there’s no simple answer. At least, there’s no one single answer.
For certain though, I don’t recommend the use of highly-refined white flour most commonly used in human baking. Use whole wheat flour if you must. But there are a number of other types of flour that offer so much more in the way of nutritional benefits for man’s best friend.
That caveat aside, you will find that when you bake for dogs as I do, different flours work better for different treats. Sometimes a combination of flours work best. And then again of course, as with everything you feed your dog, the wider the variety the better.
For all those reasons, in my dog treat mixes I mainly use almond flour, coconut flour, rice flour, oat flour, cornflour, tapioca flour and buckwheat flour. While there are a great many more varieties of flour, my most commonly used flours are:
Almond flour
At The Dog Chef I’m very fond of almond flour. It’s grain and gluten-free and high in plant-based proteins. It’s rich in healthy fats, calcium, fibre, iron and vitamin E as well. Yes it’s higher in calories than some flours. But it’s not something you use a huge amount of when baking treats for dogs so it’s not something to be overly concerned about unless your dog has a real weight issue.
Tapioca flour
Like almond flour, tapioca flour is both grain and gluten-free. It’s also low in sugar and calories, making it the ideal choice of flour for a dog suffering from diabetes.
Buckwheat flour
Buckwheat is a pseudograin. In other words, it’s not a grain at all. Buckwheat flour is made from ground and roasted buckwheat. Like both almond and tapioca flour, buckwheat flour is both grain and gluten-free. It’s a great source of dietary fibre and plant-based proteins. Antioxidant rich, like tapioca flour, it’s an excellent choice of flour for any dog suffering from diabetes.
Oat flour
Oat flour, made from rolled oats, is a good source of both fibre and protein. It’s an excellent low-calorie choice for a dog needing to lose weight.
Coconut flour
Coconut flour is made from dried and ground coconut meat (the pulp). High in fibre and healthy fats, coconut flour is a real favourite at The Dog Chef.
Best flour for dog treats
When it comes to the best flour for dog treats, those are some of those I most frequently use. There are a great many more types of flour, each of which offers a different range of nutrients.
My in-house dog nutritionist lists all of these on his own website.
FAQs
Whole wheat flour: is packed with fiber, and protein, and is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin E, copper, iron, manganese, and selenium. You could alternatively substitute this with oat flour or another dog-safe flour.
What is the best flour to use for dog treats? ›
Whole wheat flour: is packed with fiber, and protein, and is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin E, copper, iron, manganese, and selenium. You could alternatively substitute this with oat flour or another dog-safe flour.
What are the best ingredients for dog treats? ›
Many recipes require things such as oatmeal, eggs, flour, water, or broth. Add some flavor — as well as vitamins, protein, and fiber — with peanut butter (free of artificial sweeteners like xylitol), pureed pumpkin, apples, carrots, sweet potato, and cheese to create delicious cookies any dog would love.
What is a good preservative for homemade dog treats? ›
Many ingredients of our organic dog treats have great nutritional profiles, and some can also help to preserve food. Examples of the natural preservatives that we include in our recipes are ginger, lemon, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, oregano, and star anise.
How do you increase the shelf life of homemade dog treats? ›
I suggest putting them in an air tight container or freezer bag and storing them in your freezer rather than adding chemicals. The component of dry dog food and treats that spoils first is the fat content, which go rancid thru oxidation… second by mold growth fueled by a high moisture content.
What flour is healthiest for dogs? ›
It's full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, so treats with oat flour will tend to be good for dogs. If you're trying to figure out what kind of flour to bake with, oat flour is a good choice, as it retains more moisture than many other types of flour, so when you use it treats will tend to come out a bit moister.
Is coconut flour or wheat flour better for dogs? ›
Coconut flour has a great many benefits for our canine companions. Not only is it a low glycemic alternative to traditional flour, it is also high in fiber and can help aid in digestion.
How to stop homemade dog treats from molding? ›
Airtight containers are ideal for storing homemade dog treats. But, as above, make sure your dog treats are completely dry. Expel as much air as possible from the likes of ziplock bags and other deflatable storage containers as air equals moisture which in turn equals mould.
How do you make homemade dog chews long lasting? ›
Try spreading some yogurt or cream cheese inside, or for some lasting fun, coat the inside with sugar-free peanut butter before attaching slices of banana, berries, or watermelon to the inside walls. Put the fruit in the freezer, and once it has frozen solid, offer it to your dog as a refreshing treat.
Why are homemade dog treats better than store bought? ›
Commercial pet treats have a longer shelf life due to the addition of preservatives. However, this often means sacrificing the freshness of the ingredients. Homemade pet treats, on the other hand, are prepared with fresh, whole foods, ensuring that your pet receives the maximum nutritional benefit from every bite.
Cinnamon is non-toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. In small amounts, which means one teaspoon or less per serving as an occasional treat, it is perfectly safe and may even offer health benefits. However, in large quantities, it may irritate the mouth or stomach, cause low blood sugar or even liver disease.
Is rice flour or wheat flour better for dogs? ›
A wheat and gluten free grain which dogs can easily digest. It has soothing stomach properties and can help to expel toxins. Rice is also known to calm the nervous system and may help fight depression (yes, our furry kids also can get the blues, especially when left alone too long).
What is a substitute for wheat flour in dog treats? ›
Brown rice flour (3/4 cup brown rice flour = 1 cup whole wheat flour) can be used by itself in place of whole wheat flour but works better if used in a 50:50 ratio with another gluten free flour such as oat flour or garbanzo bean flour.
