Healthy, homemade and delicious treats for dogs

Nothing makes your dog's tail wag faster than a tasty treat for good behaviour. If you want to give your pet a yummy reward but want to keep it healthy, then these ideas are for you – and your pup will be pleased, too!

Add about a third of a soft banana to one and a half cups of dry dog food. Slice it, mash it and stir it into the pellets. Not only does it add variety and a bit of healthy sweetness (which pooches all seem to love), but a bit of banana also will settle your dog's stomach.

If you're a healthy eater, you know all about carrying around those petite peeled carrots to crunch on during snack time. The good news is that dogs generally love them, too. They're crunchy, sweet and healthy enough to make them a regular part of Fido's diet in place of a biscuit.

You can buy dog biscuits in the grocery store or bakery-made dog biscuits at pet specialty shops. But if you like to bake, it's inexpensive and fun to create your own delicious treats for your loveable furry friend. These cookies smell so good coming out of the oven that you'll be tempted to sample one for yourself. (And you may!)

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 cup skim milk

1. Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F.
2. Combine flour and baking powder in one bowl. In another bowl, whisk together peanut butter and milk.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough is pliant (about five minutes).
4. Roll dough to a centimetre (quarter-inch) thickness, then use a dog bone–shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
5. Place cutouts on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool the cookies on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.

These quick and easy tips for healthy treats for your dog will put your mind at ease when rewarding him for good behaviour and keep his tailing wagging long after the last morsel is gone.