Last updated: June 10, 2026 · 7-minute read
What Are the Best Homemade Gluten Free Dog Treats? The Short Answer
The best homemade gluten free dog treats use a simple gluten-free flour (oat, chickpea, or coconut) bound with a dog-safe wet ingredient like pumpkin, banana, or unsweetened peanut butter, then baked until firm. They let you control every ingredient — no wheat, no fillers, no mystery additives. For days you'd rather not bake, pair them with a single-ingredient, fully digestible chew that has no rawhide and is ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms, like a classic bully stick.
Key takeaways
- Gluten-free does not mean grain-free — oat flour is gluten-free and gentle on most dogs.
- Stick to 3–5 recognizable ingredients; skip xylitol, chocolate, raisins, and added salt or sugar.
- Treats (homemade or store-bought) should stay under 10% of your dog's daily calories.
- Homemade treats keep about a week refrigerated; freeze for up to three months.
- For long-lasting chewing, single-ingredient meat chews beat any baked biscuit for digestibility and dental benefit.
Why Make Gluten Free Dog Treats at Home?
Some dogs are genuinely sensitive to wheat and gluten, showing itchy skin, ear infections, or loose stool. Many more simply do better on cleaner, simpler food. Baking at home means you read every label, avoid wheat and cheap fillers, and tailor flavors to what your dog tolerates. It's also cheaper per treat than most boutique bags, and you skip the preservatives that extend shelf life in commercial biscuits. The trade-off is shelf stability — homemade treats spoil faster because there's nothing artificial holding them together.
Which Gluten-Free Flours Are Safe for Dogs?
Not every "gluten-free" flour behaves the same in a dog treat. Here's how the most common options compare for home baking.
| Flour | Texture in baking | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oat flour | Soft, slightly chewy | Everyday biscuits | Gluten-free if certified; most affordable and dog-friendly |
| Chickpea flour | Firm, crisp | Crunchy training bites | High in protein and fiber |
| Coconut flour | Dense, absorbent | Low-carb treats | Very thirsty — use less and add extra moisture |
| Brown rice flour | Light, crumbly | Sensitive stomachs | Mild flavor, easy to digest |
How Do You Make Easy Gluten Free Dog Treats? (3-Ingredient Recipe)
This pumpkin–peanut butter recipe is the one to start with. It uses pantry staples, no eggs required, and yields roughly 24 small biscuits.
- Preheat and prep. Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a bowl, stir together 1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin (not pie filling) and 1/4 cup unsweetened, xylitol-free peanut butter until smooth.
- Add the flour. Gradually mix in 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oat flour until a stiff dough forms. Add a tablespoon of water if it's too dry, or more flour if too sticky.
- Roll and cut. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut into small shapes or squares. Place them on the lined sheet.
- Bake and cool. Bake 18–20 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Cool completely before serving — they harden as they cool.
Store cooled treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.
How Many Treats Can a Dog Have Per Day?
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, with the other 90% coming from a complete, balanced diet. Use this rough guide as a starting point and adjust for your dog's activity level.
| Dog weight | Approx. small biscuits/day | Long-lasting chew |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 lb | 1–2 | 1 thin or 6-inch chew, supervised |
| 20–50 lb | 2–3 | 1 standard 6-inch chew |
| 50–90 lb | 3–4 | 1 thick 12-inch chew |
| Over 90 lb | 4–5 | 1 monster-size chew |
Baked Treats vs. Single-Ingredient Chews: Which Is Better?
Homemade biscuits are wonderful for training and quick rewards, but they're soft and gone in a second. For dental benefit and genuine chewing satisfaction, a single-ingredient, fully digestible meat chew does what a biscuit can't. Our chews are 100% real meat, 100% natural, contain no rawhide, and are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms — 100% high-quality guaranteed.
Good gluten-free, single-ingredient options to keep on hand include 6-inch standard bully sticks for everyday chewers, 12-inch monster bully sticks for big dogs and power chewers, beef cheek rolls as a safe rawhide alternative, cow ears for lighter chewers, beef trachea tubes for a natural source of glucosamine, beef tendons for joint support, and 10-inch tripe twist sticks for picky eaters. Browse the full range in our natural dog treats and chews collection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is gluten-free the same as grain-free for dogs?
No. Gluten-free removes wheat, barley, and rye, but grains like oats and rice are still allowed. Grain-free removes all grains. Most dogs with sensitivities only need gluten-free, and the FDA has cautioned against unnecessary grain-free diets.
What gluten-free flour is best for dog treats?
Certified gluten-free oat flour is the easiest and most affordable for everyday biscuits. Chickpea flour adds protein and crunch, while coconut flour works for low-carb treats if you add extra moisture.
Can puppies eat homemade gluten free treats?
Yes, in small amounts once they're eating solid food. Keep pieces tiny, introduce one new ingredient at a time, and make sure treats stay under 10% of their daily calories.
How long do homemade dog treats last?
Because they have no preservatives, store them airtight in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to three months. Discard any that develop an off smell or mold.
Are bully sticks gluten-free?
Yes. Bully sticks are a single ingredient — 100% beef — with no wheat, grain, or gluten of any kind, which makes them a safe long-lasting chew for gluten-sensitive dogs.
What ingredients should I never put in dog treats?
Avoid xylitol, chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, and added salt or sugar. Always check that peanut butter is xylitol-free before using it.
My dog has a sensitive stomach — which chew is safest?
Start with a single-ingredient, fully digestible chew and supervise. Many sensitive dogs do well on beef trachea or tendons; you can read more about gentle options in our related guides.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at June 23, 2026 23:56
