Picture this: your pup’s tail is wagging so hard it could power a wind turbine—all because you just pulled a tray of warm, homemade goodies out of the oven. In 2025, more guardians than ever are discovering that plant-powered rewards can be every bit as drool-worthy (and nutritionally sound) as their meaty counterparts. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan household or simply exploring dairy-free, allergy-friendly options, crafting your own vegan dog treats is the fastest route to tail-wagging gratitude and peace-of-mind ingredient control.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to turn everyday pantry staples into vet-approved, drool-inducing bites. We’ll unpack the science, safety, and culinary tricks that separate “okay” biscuits from “gimme-more” delights—no rankings, no product plugs, just pure, paw-tested know-how.
Top 10 Vegan Dog Food Treats Recipe
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Earth Animal Wisdom Air-Dried Jerky From the Seed Recipe | Dog Treats | Dog Snacks | Premium Natural Plant-Based Jerky Strips | 4 oz |Made in the USA (Pack of 1)
Overview: Earth Animal Wisdom Air-Dried Jerky offers a plant-powered alternative to traditional meat treats. These 4-ounce strips combine pumpkin, potato protein, and sunflower meal with quinoa for a sustainable protein blend that’s slowly air-dried to preserve flavor and moisture.
What Makes It Stand Out: The B-Corp certification and small-batch production signal serious quality control, while the low-and-slow air-drying method keeps the strips pliable and aromatic—rare in vegan dog snacks. The seed-centric recipe is also naturally free of the top meat allergens that trigger many pups.
Value for Money: At $2.50 per ounce you’re paying boutique prices, but the ingredient integrity and USA manufacturing justify the premium if your dog has protein sensitivities or you’re cutting household meat consumption.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: soft, breakable strips ideal for training; no artificial anything; planet-friendly proteins.
Cons: bag is small for multi-dog homes; smell is milder than meat jerky, so some picky dogs may snub it at first; protein level (22 %) is lower than meat counterparts.
Bottom Line: A stellar choice for eco-minded pet parents or allergy-prone pups. Start with a single bag to confirm your dog buys into the plant-based vibe, then stock up.
2. BRAMBLE Vegan Dog Treats. Plant-Based Treats for Dogs, Made with Real Ingredients, Soft & Chewy Dog Cookies. Wheat-Free. Maple Bac’n. 8 oz
Overview: Bramble’s Maple Bac’n cookies mimic the sweet-smoky taste of breakfast bacon using only organic, wheat-free plants. The 8-ounce pouch contains soft, chewy discs baked in a human-grade kitchen right here in the USA.
What Makes It Stand Out: The ingredient list reads like a vegan bakery menu—oat flour, blackstrap molasses, maple syrup, coconut oil, and hickory smoke—yet the macros stay dog-appropriate. Being human-grade means every component is FDA-inspected for human consumption, a transparency level few pet brands match.
Value for Money: $2.00 per ounce lands in the mid-premium tier; you’re funding organic sourcing and dual-species safety audits. One bag lasts a medium dog about three weeks of daily rewarding.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: irresistible maple aroma; soft texture suits seniors and puppies; resealable pouch keeps cookies moist.
Cons: crumbles if over-handled; molasses adds sugar (12 %) so portion control matters; dogs with soy sensitivity should note the tamari.
Bottom Line: If you want a cruelty-free cookie that smells good enough to steal from your dog, Bramble delivers. Just break pieces smaller than you think—flavor goes a long way.
3. V-dog Kind Jerky – 100% Vegan Jerky Dog Treats – Plant Based Protein and Superfoods – 8 Ounce – All Natural – Made in The USA
Overview: V-dog Kind Jerky brings clean, eight-ingredient vegan strips to the training-treat game. Each 8-ounce pouch is packed with pea protein, sweet potato, chia, and flax for an omega-rich, meatless chew that fits in your pocket.
What Makes It Stand Out: The brand’s “pooch tested, planet approved” mantra shows in the formula: no wheat, corn, soy, dairy, or factory-farmed anything. Jerky is scored into skinny ribbons you can snap without crumble, making it ideal for clicker sessions or puzzle toys.
Value for Money: $1.75 per ounce undercuts most premium meat jerkies while delivering 25 % protein—excellent plant-based economics.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: high protein for a vegan treat; neutral smell won’t stain pockets; ethically sourced non-GMO coconut glycerin keeps strips pliable.
Cons: dogs obsessed with real meat may need a transition period; sweet potato can soften in humid climates; bag lacks zip-lock—use a clip.
Bottom Line: A wallet-friendly, planet-kind jerky that performs like traditional training bait. Buy two bags: one for the treat pouch and one for the pantry.
4. Doggilicious: Healthy Homemade Dog Treats Cookbook (Baked Goods, No-Bake, Frozen and Dental Treats)
Overview: Doggilicious is a 120-page paperback cookbook dedicated entirely to homemade, plant-forward dog treats. Recipes span baked biscuits, no-bake bites, frozen pupsicles, and dental chews, each with calorie counts and substitution notes.
What Makes It Stand Out: Unlike random internet recipes, every formula was vetted by a veterinary nutritionist for balance and safety. Icons flag grain-free, allergy-friendly, or low-fat options, and most ingredients are already in a vegan pantry—think oat flour, banana, parsley, and turmeric.
Value for Money: At $12.98 you recoup the cost after two batches; a single 30-cent sweet potato yields 50 dental chews that retail for $8.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: full-color photos; batch size ranges XS–XL; includes gift-ready packaging ideas.
Cons: requires oven or dehydrator time; some recipes use specialty molds; no spiral binding, so pages fight to stay flat.
Bottom Line: For owners who like kitchen projects and ingredient control, this book pays for itself quickly while letting you tailor treats to your dog’s taste and dietary needs.
5. Old Mother Hubbard Wellness Just Vegg’n Dog Biscuits, Natural, Training Treats, Sweat Potato, Oats, Apples & Carrots Flavor, Mini Size, (20 Ounce Bag)
Overview: Old Mother Hubbard’s Just Vegg’n biscuits are crunchy mini cookies flavored with sweet potato, oats, apples, and carrots. The 20-ounce bag delivers oven-baked crunch that doubles as a tooth-scrubbing snack.
What Makes It Stand Out: Nearly a century of baking experience shows in the texture—hard enough to slow down gulpers yet snap-able for smaller mouths. The vegetable-forward recipe keeps calories at 8 per mini biscuit, making it easy to reward without padding the waistline.
Value for Money: $4.38 per pound is budget-bin territory; you get almost three times the weight of premium vegan competitors for the price of a coffee.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: widely available; resealable bag keeps crunch for months; no artificial preservatives.
Cons: contains wheat and oat allergens; color variation can confuse picky eaters; crunch may be too tough for senior dogs with dental issues.
Bottom Line: An affordable, crunchy staple that belongs in every training jar. If your dog tolerates grains and loves snap-worthy cookies, Just Vegg’n is the best bargain in the plant-based aisle.
6. Hypoallergenic Healthy Dog Treats: Plant-Based Vegetarian Dog Snacks w/ Kelp, Sweet Potato, Chia, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil for Skin & Coat, Grain & Gluten-Free Vegan Protein Dog Treats Training, 5 oz
Overview: These hypoallergenic vegetarian dog treats pack seven superfoods—pea protein, sweet potato, kelp, chia, flaxseed, apple-cider vinegar, and coconut oil—into a grain-free, 5-oz jerky stick that smells like a backyard barbecue yet contains zero meat.
What Makes It Stand Out: The “natural beef flavor nodes” trick even committed carnivores, while kelp and omega-rich seeds target skin, coat, and digestion in one low-calorie bite. The USA-made, human-grade recipe is also free from corn, soy, and gluten, making it a safe training reward for allergy-prone pups.
Value for Money: At $43.68 per pound these are premium-priced, but each 5-oz pouch delivers roughly 80 pea-sized pieces; break them in half and you’re under nine cents per reward—reasonable for a single-protein, superfood jerky.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: truly plant-based yet meaty aroma, tiny low-fat pieces ideal for training, visibly shinier coat within two weeks.
Cons: strong kelp scent off-putting to some humans, bag zipper prone to splitting, price stings if you own multiple large dogs.
Bottom Line: If your dog suffers protein allergies or you simply want to cut animal calories without losing tail wags, these mini jerky sticks are worth the splurge; just seal the bag in a jar to keep them fresh.
7. Bright Planet Pet | Better Burg’r Plant-Based Vegan Dog Treats – 6oz | Sustainable Natural Clean Label Hypoallergenic Allergy-Friendly | Low-Calorie Soft Veggie Dog Treats | Made in USA
Overview: Bright Planet Pet’s Better Burg’r treats squeeze grill-time nostalgia into a soft, chickpea-based cookie that’s 100 % vegan, hypoallergenic, and sized for every jaw from Chihuahua to Great Dane.
What Makes It Stand Out: The brand plants a tree for every bag sold, turning each tail wag into a smaller carbon paw-print. The chewy texture doubles as a high-value training tidbit or senior-dog snack, while the brown-rice & sweet-potato dough keeps calories low and tummies calm.
Value for Money: $26.64 per pound lands these in the mid-range for plant-based goodies; the 6-oz pouch yields ~60 nickel-sized pieces, so you’re paying about seventeen cents per reward—cheaper than a latte and better for the planet.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: genuinely soft for older mouths, no peas/soy/corn to trigger allergies, resealable pouch actually works, light hickory smell dogs go nuts for.
Cons: softness means crumbs in pockets, treats dry out if left open, portion size runs small for giant breeds.
Bottom Line: Eco-minded pet parents who need an allergy-friendly, training-ready treat will find Better Burg’r delivers flavor, function, and feel-good forestry in one recyclable bag.
8. Portland Pet Food Company Pumpkin Dog Treats Healthy Biscuits for Small Medium & Large Dogs – Grain-Free, Human-Grade, All Natural Cookies, Snacks & Puppy Training Treats – Made in The USA – 5 oz
Overview: Portland Pet Food Company bunches organic pumpkin, peanut butter, and cinnamon into a grain-free biscuit that smells like autumn brunch—yet contains only seven human-grade ingredients and zero wheat, dairy, or preservatives.
What Makes It Stand Out: Each biscuit is twice-baked for a light, snap-able crunch that can be portioned for tiny mouths or left whole for big chewers. The pumpkin-garbanao base soothes sensitive stomachs, making these cookies a go-to for dogs with IBS or chicken allergies.
Value for Money: At $31.97 per pound you’re funding small-batch, USA-grown sourcing; one 5-oz box holds about 18 medium biscuits—roughly fifty-six cents each—comparable to boutique bakery cookies.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: limited ingredient list is a vet’s dream, crunchy texture cleans teeth, smell entices even picky seniors, easy to snap for training.
Cons: bags aren’t resealable (use a jar), biscuits crumble if mailed loosely, calorie count (28 kcal each) adds up for dieting dogs.
Bottom Line: For owners who want bakery-quality treats without mystery fillers, these pumpkin cookies hit the sweet spot; just budget a few extra pennies and an airtight container.
9. Doggilicious, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats Cookbook: Holidays Special Edition, Baked Goods and No-Bake Treats
Overview: Doggilicious “Holidays Special Edition” cookbook is a 60-page, photo-filled guide to homemade dog goodies—think pumpkin pie bites, cranberry muffins, and no-bake ginger “dough” balls—each recipe tested for canine safety and human sanity.
What Makes It Stand Out: The book divides baked vs. no-bake sections, offers substitution tables for allergies (gluten, dairy, protein), and includes a gift-wrapping chapter so your Labrador’s cookies can double as stocking stuffers. Metric and imperial measurements appear side-by-side, eliminating kitchen math.
Value for Money: Ten bucks buys unlimited batches; even if you cook only five recipes you’ll beat store-bought boutique treat prices by half, plus control every ingredient that hits your dog’s bowl.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: clear step-by-step photos, nutritional notes per recipe, ingredient swap chart, spiral binding lays flat.
Cons: no nutritional breakdown (kcal/gram), some recipes need specialty flours, e-version not offered.
Bottom Line: If you enjoy weekend kitchen projects and want preservative-free rewards tailored to your dog’s taste, this festive cookbook pays for itself after the first cookie sheet—just keep a vet-approved portion guide handy.
10. Halo Holistic Vegan Dog Treats Variety Pack, Plant-Based Three Bag Treat Pack with Oats & Blueberries, Peanut Butter & Banana, Peanuts & Pumpkin, 8 Oz Bag(Pack of 3)
Overview: Halo’s Variety Pack delivers three 8-oz pouches—Oats & Blueberry, Peanut Butter & Banana, and Peanuts & Pumpkin—each crunchy biscuit containing eight or fewer non-GMO, USA-sourced ingredients and absolutely zero animal products.
What Makes It Stand Out: The set covers breakfast, dessert, and harvest flavors without repeating bases, letting rotation-fed or allergy-prone dogs enjoy variety while owners stick to a single trusted brand. The crunch is firm enough to slow down gulpers yet fractures cleanly for toy breeds.
Value for Money: $18.99 for 24 oz breaks down to $12.66 per pound—among the lowest cost-per-pound for certified vegan biscuits—and roughly 300 medium treats per pack, or six cents each.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: excellent price-to-volume ratio, resealable pouches stay crisp, no artificial colors to stain furniture, suitable for puppies to seniors.
Cons: peanut scent can overwhelm small pantries, biscuits chip if mailed loosely, oat flavor less popular with some picky eaters.
Bottom Line: Halo’s trio offers planet-friendly, wallet-friendly variety in one click; stock up, split with a neighbor, and you’ll have training rewards for months without fretting about allergens or ethics.
Why Bake Vegan Treats in 2025?
Plant-based living has moved from niche to mainstream, and our canine sidekicks are riding the wave alongside us. Climate-minded guardians love the smaller carbon paw-print, while allergy-prone pups benefit from novel proteins and zero dairy. Add in rising meat costs and supply-chain jitters, and whipping up affordable, sustainable snacks at home feels less like a hobby and more like a superpower.
Understanding Canine Nutritional Needs on a Plant-Based Diet
Dogs are omnivores with a carnivorous past, meaning they can digest carbohydrates and absorb certain nutrients from plants—provided you balance amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The golden rule: treats should never exceed 10 % of daily caloric intake, even when they’re vegan. Focus on complete protein combos (think legumes + whole grains) and keep an eye on taurine, L-carnitine, B12, vitamin D, and omega-3s. When in doubt, run your recipe past your vet or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Key Ingredients Every Vegan Dog Pantry Needs
Stocking the right building blocks saves you from last-minute grocery runs and recipe ruts. Keep rolled oats, brown rice flour, lentil flour, and chickpea flour in airtight jars for gluten-free structure. Canned pumpkin, unsweetened applesauce, and mashed banana provide moisture and natural sweetness. Ground flaxseed, chia, and hemp hearts deliver plant omega-3s and binding power. Finally, a small jar of nutritional yeast offers cheesy flavor plus B-vitamins—just confirm it’s fortified with B12.
Safety First: Foods to Avoid in Vegan Dog Treats
Not every whole food is a dog-friendly food. Skip onions, garlic, leeks, chives, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol, nutmeg, hops, and anything caffeinated. While avocado flesh is generally safe in tiny amounts, the skin and pit contain persin—better to choose pumpkin or banana for creaminess. Chocolate is a no-brainer, but carob powder can swoop in as a safe, naturally sweet substitute.
Texture Talk: Chewy vs. Crunchy vs. Dehydrated
Canine preferences vary as widely as human ones. Older dogs with dental issues often favor soft, chewy bites you can bend with two fingers. Power chewers crave audible crunch for dental satisfaction. Dehydrated strips deliver jerky-like toughness without animal protein and boast shelf lives that rival commercial biscuits. Decide on the end texture before you preheat the oven—it dictates moisture levels, baking times, and storage methods.
Baking Equipment That Makes Life Easier
You don’t need a Michelin-star kitchen—just a few workhorses. A silicone mat prevents sticking and cuts oil usage in half. Bench scrapers quickly divide dough into training-sized bits. If you plan to dehydrate often, invest in a countertop dehydrator with adjustable temperature controls; most ovens can’t hold the 140 °F sweet spot for hours without cycling off. Finally, an instant-read thermometer ensures you never guess if the center of a biscuit is truly baked dry.
Flavor Boosters Dogs Adore
Nutritional yeast, unsalted peanut butter, and pure pumpkin puree top the canine crave list. For aromatic intrigue, add a pinch of dried parsley (hello, breath freshening) or a whisper of turmeric for anti-inflammatory flair. Blueberry powder gives a fruity nose that rivals any meaty aroma. Remember: dogs experience flavor through smell first, so if your kitchen doesn’t smell enticing to you, your pup will probably turn up her snout.
Allergy-Friendly Swaps for Sensitive Pups
Grain-free? Swap oats for coconut flour and add an extra flax “egg” (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water). Can’t do legumes? Replace peanut butter with sunflower-seed butter and use quinoa flour for protein. Soy allergy? Skip tofu and opt for pumpkin or banana as the moisture base. Each substitution tweaks hydration, so add liquids gradually until the dough holds together like wet sand.
Portion Control: How Many Treats Are Too Many?
Calories count—even when they’re cute. A 25 lb (11 kg) dog needs roughly 625 kcal daily, so a 25-kcal biscuit equals 4 % of total intake. Use a kitchen scale: one gram of typical homemade vegan dough contains about 3–4 kcal. For training marathons, slice strips the size of your pinky fingernail; you can dish out 10 rewards without busting the calorie bank.
Storage and Shelf-Life Hacks
Moisture is mold’s best friend. Cool biscuits completely on a wire rack, then freeze single layers on a sheet pan before transferring to a zip bag; they’ll keep six months. For countertop storage, toss in a food-grade silica packet (the kind you find in seaweed packages) and seal in an amber jar away from sunlight. Dehydrated strips last two weeks in a dark pantry—longer if you vacuum-seal.
Sustainable Sourcing: Lowering Your Carbon Paw-Print
Buy organic pulses in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and scout local farmers’ markets for imperfect produce that supermarkets reject—your dog won’t mind a wonky sweet potato. Compost vegetable peels and failed experiments; many cities now accept biodegradable pet-waste bags made from cornstarch, closing the loop on kitchen scraps. Every pound of plant-based treats saves roughly 1.6 lb of CO₂ compared to meat-based equivalents.
Reading Dog-Food Labels Like a Pro
Even homemade cooks occasionally need commercial supplements—say, a seaweed-calcium powder or plant-based omega-3 oil. Scan labels for AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements, guaranteed analysis, and country of origin. Ingredients are listed by weight pre-processing, so if “organic pumpkin” appears first, you’re getting more beta-carotene bang for your buck. Watch for vague terms like “natural flavor”; call the manufacturer and ask if it’s plant-derived.
Transitioning Your Dog to New Treats Safely
Gut flora need time to adjust. Introduce one new ingredient at a over three days, watching for soft stools, itching, or ear odor. Keep a “treat diary” with portion size and stool score (yes, the 1–7 chart vets use). If all systems stay normal, layer in the next ingredient. Sudden variety might seem fun, but it’s the fastest route to digestive revolt—and no one wants a 3 a.m. backyard emergency.
Signs Your Dog Loves (or Hates) a Recipe
Canine communication is refreshingly honest. Positive signs: immediate sniff-and-grab, drool strings, or a play bow toward the treat jar. Negative signs: turning away, spitting it out, or the classic “take it and hide it under the sofa.” Respect the feedback and tweak flavors rather than forcing the issue; even the best-balanced biscuit fails if it sits uneaten behind the couch.
When to Consult a Vet Nutritionist
If your dog has chronic kidney disease, pancreatitis, or a history of calcium-oxalate stones, DIY formulation isn’t a weekend project. Same goes for pregnant or lactating dams and rapidly growing large-breed puppies. A veterinary nutritionist can run bloodwork, calculate exact nutrient targets, and fine-tune your vegan base recipe into a medical-grade marvel—often for less than the cost of a year’s worth of prescription treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are vegan treats safe for all breeds and ages?
Yes, provided the recipe is nutritionally balanced and introduced gradually. Puppies, seniors, and giant breeds each have unique calorie and mineral needs, so adjust portion size accordingly.
2. How do I know if my dog is allergic to a plant ingredient?
Watch for itching, ear infections, or gastrointestinal upset within 24–72 hours. Conduct single-ingredient “elimination trials” and consult your vet for intradermal or serum allergy testing if symptoms persist.
3. Can vegan treats clean teeth as well as meat-based chews?
Crunchy textures and abrasive edges reduce tartar regardless of protein source. For heavy plaque, pair treats with daily brushing or vet-approved dental toys.
4. What’s the best binder if my dog can’t have flax or chia?
Psyllium husk powder (½ tsp per cup of flour) or unsweetened applesauce both hold dough together. Add an extra tablespoon of liquid to compensate for absorption.
5. Is nutritional yeast really necessary?
It adds B-vitamins and umami flavor, but you can omit it if your dog dislikes the taste. Ensure the overall diet includes an approved B12 supplement instead.
6. How long can I leave treats in the dehydrator?
Most strips dry in 6–8 hours at 140 °F. When they snap cleanly and no moisture beads appear, they’re done. Over-drying only affects texture, not safety.
7. Can I microwave these recipes for speed?
Microwaves steam rather than bake, yielding rubbery textures and uneven heating. Opt for a conventional oven or dehydrator for best results.
8. My dog is overweight—how do I cut calories without losing flavor?
Replace half the fat (peanut butter or oil) with pureed zucchini or green beans, and cut biscuits into pea-sized training dots. Volume eaters feel satisfied by sheer quantity, not calories.
9. Do I need to add synthetic taurine to every treat?
Not for occasional snacks if your dog’s main diet is complete and balanced. For high-frequency training treats, choose recipes that include lentils, hemp, or seaweed-based taurine powders.
10. What’s the quickest way to revive stale biscuits?
Five minutes in a 300 °F oven restores crunch. Store the re-crisped treats in a paper bag for up to three days, then freeze any surplus to prevent mold.