Sourdough Dog Treats

These homemade sourdough dog treats are a simple way to use extra sourdough discard while making a wholesome snack for your dogs. They come together with just a few dog-friendly ingredients, are easy to customize, and help make sure nothing from your sourdough starter goes to waste.

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Keeping a sourdough starter means I'm always looking for new ways to use the discard. Over the years it's turned into muffins, crackers, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and plenty of other recipes, but eventually it occurred to me that I had six very enthusiastic taste testers who had been patiently waiting for something made just for them.

There are six dachshunds at Pauline Manor, which means somebody is always wandering through the kitchen hoping I'll accidentally drop a snack. After making so many sourdough recipes for the humans, it only seemed fair to see if I could make something the dogs would enjoy too.

Why Make Homemade Sourdough Dog Treats

If you are baking sourdough regularly, you already know how quickly discard starts to build up, and not every use for it needs to turn into another full baking project. These dog treats are one of the simplest ways to use it without overthinking anything, just mix, roll, cut, and bake.

There is also a big difference in what goes into these compared to what you will find in most store-bought treats. Instead of preservatives and fillers, you are working with a short list of ingredients you actually recognize, which is why this style of recipe shows up over and over again for people who want a more straightforward option for their dogs.

That doesn't mean I never buy treats at the store. Just like I don't grow every vegetable we eat or bake every dessert from scratch, convenience has its place. Homemade treats simply happen to be an easy choice when I already have sourdough discard sitting on the counter.

What Goes Into Sourdough Dog Treats

The ingredient list here is simple on purpose, and it is very similar to what you will see across the most popular homemade dog treat recipes for a reason, it works, and it keeps things easy.

Pumpkin is one of the best ingredients you can use for dogs, especially when it comes to digestion, and it adds just enough moisture to bring the dough together without needing extra oils or sweeteners. Make sure you are using plain pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, since the pie version includes added sugar and spices that are not safe for dogs.

Eggs help bind everything together and add a little extra protein, which gives the treats a bit more substance without making them heavy.

Oats round things out by adding structure and a slightly hearty texture that holds up well once baked, especially if you are aiming for that more classic biscuit-style crunch.

And then there is peanut butter, which is where you want to be a little more careful.

Choosing a Dog Safe Peanut Butter

Not all peanut butter is created equal when it comes to dogs, and this is one of the most important details to get right.

You want a natural peanut butter that contains only peanuts, or peanuts and salt, without added sugars or artificial sweeteners. The one ingredient you absolutely need to avoid is xylitol, sometimes labeled as birch sugar, which is toxic to dogs even in small amounts.

The easiest habit to get into is flipping the jar over and checking the ingredient list before you bake, because if it has anything extra beyond the basics, it is not worth the risk.

Tips for Making Sourdough Dog Treats

The dough rolls out much like sugar cookie dough and is easy to cut into whatever shapes you like. I usually reach for my little dog bone cookie cutters because they make me smile, but the dogs have made it very clear they aren't nearly as concerned about presentation as I am.

Because these treats don't contain preservatives, they won't last as long as commercial dog treats. I usually keep enough for the week in an airtight container and freeze the rest so I can refill the treat jar whenever it's running low.

How These Bake Up

These bake into a mostly crunchy treat, especially if you roll them a little thinner and give them enough time in the oven to dry out properly. They will continue to firm up as they cool, so what feels slightly soft when they first come out will settle into more of a biscuit texture.

If you want them even crunchier, you can leave them in the oven a little longer at a lower temperature or let them sit in the oven with the heat turned off to dry out further, which helps pull out any extra moisture and gives you that satisfying snap when you break them.

How to Store Sourdough Dog Treats

Because these are made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives, they are best treated like something you made in your own kitchen, not something designed to sit on a shelf for weeks.

At room temperature, they are best eaten within a few days, especially in a humid climate where they can start to soften quickly.

For a simple upgrade, store them in a glass jar with a food-safe dehydrator packet, which helps absorb excess moisture and keeps them from going soft too fast. It is an easy way to stretch their shelf life just a bit without changing anything about the recipe.

If you are making a bigger batch, you can also keep them in the fridge or freezer and pull out what you need as you go.

A Simple Way to Use Sourdough Discard

Not every sourdough recipe needs to be a whole process, and this is one of those that fits into your routine without adding any extra work. There is no long fermentation, no timing to manage, and no pressure to get anything perfect.

It is just a straightforward way to use something you already have, and if you are feeding your starter anyway, it makes sense to get something out of it that does not feel like an afterthought.

Are Sourdough Dog Treats Worth It

Once you make these a couple of times, they tend to stick because they are easy, affordable, and fit right into what you are already doing in the kitchen.

They use ingredients you trust, they do not take much time, and they give you something you can feel good about handing to your dog without second guessing it. And if you have a kitchen full of dogs waiting around for whatever comes out of the oven, they will make sure this becomes part of your regular rotation pretty quickly.

FAQ's

Can dogs eat sourdough discard?

Yes, dogs can safely eat baked sourdough discard when it's used in recipes made with dog-safe ingredients. Never feed your dog raw sourdough starter or raw dough, and always avoid ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as xylitol, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, or chocolate.

How long do homemade sourdough dog treats last?

Homemade sourdough dog treats will generally keep for about one week in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to two weeks or freeze them for several months. Let frozen treats thaw before serving.

Can I freeze sourdough dog treats?

Absolutely. Once the treats have cooled completely, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to three months and thaw as needed for a quick homemade treat.

What is the best way to use sourdough discard?

Making sourdough dog treats is one of my favorite ways to use extra discard, but it's certainly not the only one. I also use sourdough discard in muffins, crackers, cookies, pancakes, and other baked goods, making it easy to reduce waste while creating something delicious.