No Flour, No Fuss: We Make Safe Treats So You Don’t Have to Google Every Ingredient
Not All Treats Are Created Equal…
Very often when I meet someone or someone asks me about My Pet Life, I’m told “Oh yes, I’ve always made my own pet treats” - which is great that there are many others out there who are thinking about what goes into their pets’ food. The part I find hard is the next bit, which is getting predictable…“I just use a bit of flour and...”
And that’s usually where I get heartburn. It’s funny as well because some people think I have wheat in my treats because they think oats are wheat…just a heads up, they’re not.
Here’s the thing — while the idea of homemade treats is great, we often forget to ask whether the ingredients we’re using are actually good for dogs (or horses, or cats). Even when I first started, given one of the differentiators was being human safe, I’d try it and think just a bit more of this, or a little less of that - but we aren’t actually supposed to buy or make treats because the treat appeals to us, it’s what is right for our pet that must be top of mind and matters more.
So, is flour bad?
Short answer: it depends.
But for many dogs, wheat flour (the kind most people use) can cause irritation, sensitivities, or contribute to inflammation — especially when used regularly. For many people, it’s the same! And yet, it's the first thing many people reach for when baking.
Here at My Pet Life, we skip the wheat and instead use things like oat flour and coconut flour in moderation, depending on the recipe. They’re gentler on tummies, more nutritious, and naturally gluten-free.
Other Ingredients That Don’t Belong in Pet Treats:
Unfortunately, flour isn’t the only common addition that pets are better off without. Here are a few other ones we often see in DIY recipes or store-bought treats that really shouldn’t be there:
Sugar or sweeteners (especially xylitol) – even small amounts of added sugar aren’t ideal for dogs, and xylitol is extremely toxic and should never be used.
Natural sweeteners like banana, honey, and maple syrup are safe in small amounts and are used sparingly in some of our recipes to add flavour and nutritional value — always with your pet’s wellbeing in mind.Salt – dogs and horses don’t need added salt in treats, and it can cause dehydration or worse in large amounts.
Nutmeg – often added to “autumn spice” treats, but it’s toxic to dogs in any real quantity.
Baking powder & baking soda – a pinch might not do much harm, but large amounts can be dangerous, especially for small dogs. Except in paw soaks - it’s an ideal ingredient to treat dogs paws that are sensitive and suffer from conditions such as dermatitis. Just so long as they don’t want to eat their bath water…
Butter or margarine – high in fat and not kind to the digestive system.
Chocolate – most pet owners know this, but carob is often mistaken for chocolate — so if you do use carob, make sure it’s clearly labelled and dog-safe (ours always is).
And then there are the everyday “people foods” to avoid:
Just as important are the common pantry items that should never be shared with your pets — even in tiny amounts:
Grapes and raisins – can cause kidney failure in dogs
Onion and garlic – both are toxic to dogs and cats, even in powder form
Macadamia nuts – highly toxic to dogs
Avocado – contains persin, which can be harmful to some animals (especially birds)
Alcohol, caffeine, and anything carbonated – no explanation needed
Yeast dough – can expand in their stomach and cause serious issues
Bones that splinter (think cooked ones e.g. that lamb shank bone from a dish cooked by your grandmother who is always offering the bone afterwards. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…) – these can puncture the stomach or intestines
In short?
Homemade is only better if the ingredients are too.
Just like we read food labels for ourselves, it’s worth doing the same for our pets — whether we’re baking at home or buying from a stall like ours.
At My Pet Life, every treat is formulated with species-safe, researched and human-edible ingredients (but the treats are intended for pets!) — because we believe your pets deserve the same care and quality you would want for yourself. We want to make it easy for you to know what you’re giving your pets i.e. understand the ingredients list, AND we are taking the work away from you by making homemade, high quality, natural treats, just like you’d want to be doing yourself.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your go-to ingredients are safe, reach out — or check our guides. We’re always happy to help people learn more about what goes in (and what should stay out) of their pet’s bowl.
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