Treats and chews
Are homemade treats healthier than store bought?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Homemade treats are not automatically healthier, but they let you control exactly what goes in, avoiding preservatives, added sugar, and fillers some commercial products contain, and letting you tailor recipes around a specific dog's sensitivities. A poorly balanced homemade recipe, heavy in fat or sugar substitutes, can be just as unhealthy as a low quality commercial treat.
Where homemade treats genuinely have an advantage
Full control over ingredients means you can exclude common allergens, artificial preservatives, or added sugar entirely, and adjust a recipe specifically for a dog with a known sensitivity, something not always possible with a fixed commercial product line even among premium brands.
Where the advantage is smaller than assumed
Many reputable commercial treats already meet similar ingredient standards, using recognizable single ingredients and no artificial additives, so the health gap between a well chosen commercial treat and a homemade one can be minimal, particularly for treats marketed as natural or limited ingredient.
What actually determines healthiness either way
Calorie density, portion control, and ingredient safety matter more than whether a treat was made at home or bought, so a homemade recipe heavy in peanut butter and oil can carry more calories per piece than a lean, well formulated commercial option, regardless of its homemade origin.
Key takeaways
- Homemade treats offer full control over ingredients but are not automatically healthier.
- Many commercial treats already use simple, recognizable ingredients with no artificial additives.
- A calorie dense homemade recipe can be less healthy than a lean commercial option.
- Portion control and ingredient safety matter more than whether a treat is homemade or store bought.