My Dog Wouldn’t Stop Scratching… So I Started Making His Food and Treats Myself

Bythepethairwarrior@gmail.com

For the longest time, I thought my dog just had “sensitive skin.”

It started with constant scratching. Then came the licking, chewing at his paws, rubbing against the furniture, and those random patches of irritated skin that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

As dog owners, we know that feeling of helplessness when something isn’t right, but you can’t figure out why.

I tried everything.

Different shampoos.

Supplements.

Special sprays.

Changing laundry detergents.

Vacuuming more.

Washing dog beds constantly.

Nothing seemed to make a lasting difference.

Going Down the Dog Mom Rabbit Hole

Eventually, I did what every worried dog mom does: I went down a research rabbit hole.

I started reading ingredient labels on dog food.

Then I bought one of those at-home dog allergy tests from Amazon.

Was it perfect science? Probably not.

But it gave me enough information to start paying attention to what my dogs were eating every single day.

What shocked me was that many of the ingredients I wanted to avoid seemed to be in almost everything.

Every time I thought I had found a better food, I’d flip over the bag and see another ingredient I wasn’t comfortable feeding.

That’s when I had a crazy thought:

What if I just made their food myself?

Honestly, I laughed at myself.

I pictured spending my entire life cooking gourmet meals for dogs and going broke in the process.

But after a little experimenting, I realized something surprising.

Making homemade dog food and treats was actually easier than I expected.

And my dogs absolutely loved it.

The First Homemade Dog Treat Recipe I Tried

One of the first recipes I made quickly became a favorite in our house.

Simple Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups oat flour
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup dog-safe peanut butter

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Mash the banana until smooth.
  3. Add the egg and peanut butter and mix thoroughly.
  4. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms.
  5. Press the dough into silicone molds or shape into small treats.
  6. Bake for 16-18 minutes.
  7. Allow to cool completely before serving.

That’s it.

Four ingredients.

No mystery additives.

No ingredients I couldn’t pronounce.

And the best part?

My dogs acted like I had suddenly become a five-star chef.

The Tools That Made It Easy

I quickly learned that a few kitchen tools made homemade dog food and treats much easier.

I use my KitchenAid food processor to grind oats into flour because it’s fast and I already had it sitting in my kitchen.

I also use silicone molds because they make portioning treats incredibly easy and cleanup takes about 30 seconds.

And of course, using a dog-friendly peanut butter without xylitol became non-negotiable.

(Affiliate links may be included below. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Was Homemade Food More Expensive?

This was honestly my biggest fear.

I assumed homemade food would cost a fortune.

But after adding up the price of premium dog foods, supplements, treats, and all the things I was buying trying to solve the problem, I was surprised to find that making food myself wasn’t nearly as expensive as I expected.

Plus, I knew exactly what was going into their bowls.

That peace of mind was worth a lot.

Why I Created The Happy Dog Kitchen

After months of experimenting with recipes, ingredients, and meal ideas, I realized I had accumulated dozens of recipes and notes.

Friends and family started asking:

“Can you send me the recipes you’re making?”

So I finally organized everything into one place.

I created The Happy Dog Kitchen, a downloadable dog food and treat recipe guide filled with the recipes and ideas that worked best for my dogs.

If you’ve been struggling with itchy skin, food sensitivities, or you simply want to know exactly what’s going into your dog’s food bowl, I hope it helps make the process feel a little less overwhelming.

🐾 You can find The Happy Dog Kitchen here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4487228887/the-happy-dog-kitchen-printable-dog

Final Thoughts

I’m not claiming homemade food is the right answer for every dog.

And I’m definitely not claiming I found a miracle cure.

What I am saying is that taking a closer look at what my dogs were eating changed the way I think about feeding them.

For us, homemade food and treats became one of the best decisions we’ve made.

And honestly?

I wish I had tried it sooner.

Want the full list? I rounded up every dog product I actually use and love in one place on Amazon. No fluff, just the stuff that works. → Shop my List

This post reflects my personal experience and is not intended as veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making significant dietary changes for your pet.

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