Reading Time: 10 minutes

Want to start making your dog homemade dog treats but aren’t sure where to begin? If you have a dog treat recipe that calls for flour start here!

While, many dog food companies use flour in dog food, many times as fillers. Since flour was not a natural ingredient in dogs diet I try to refrain from using flour in my homemade dog treats for this reason. But there are times when a recipe calls for flour so I make the best possible choice for my fur babies.

Hopefully, this list and the attached downloadable chart will help you make the best choice for your pup as well!

Just some key things to remember

They all have a con: In this article, I touch on the pros and cons of the various flours you can opt to use in your dog’s treats, but they all have one con in common and that is too many of a good thing can be a bad thing. Always use moderation when feeding treats.
Possible allergies: Some dogs may be allergic to some flours like pea or wheat so obviously make sure to keep that in mind when choosing
Buy organic: While many of the flours are simple to make at home the easiest route is to pick some up while you’re out and about. If you choose this route opt for organic flours
Meal replacement: Treats are not meal replacements so while dogs are omnivores and can have plants they do still need meat to have a healthy, balanced diet
Consultation: Always consult with your veterinarian prior to feeding any homemade treats or meals
Mixing: You may find it best to mix flours to get the perfect consistency. After playing around with it for a while you will find a go-to flour
mixture that works for you and your fur baby

GRAIN-FREE

What are grain free flours?

Grain-free flours are those without grains and are usually used to substitute whole grain flours in dogs that have a gluten sensitivity or autoimmune disease.

Almond

As one of the most popular flours for pet owners to use, almond flour makes a great alternative to wheat flour. It is made with almonds that have usually been blanched and finely ground to a light, fluffy texture. Almond flour is high in plant-based proteins, low in carbohydrates, and gluten-free. There are many treat companies and pet food companies that use almond flour in their ingredients.

Pro

You can easily make almond flour at home to include in your pets so you know exactly what is in your treats, no additives or preservatives! Almonds are pretty high on the nutrient list as they are full of healthy fats, calcium, fiber, vitamin E, iron, and plant-based proteins.

Con

Unfortunately, with all of the benefits of almond flour comes the high-calorie count with one cup having an average of 648 calories. Almond flour is great for treats that can be cooked at lower temperatures as it contains delicate fats that can be oxidized when cooking at higher temps

GET THE DOG TREAT FLOUR CHEAT SHEET!

Quinoa flour

Quinoa flour is a good alternative to wheat flour and is naturally gluten-free and extremely high in plant-based protein. You can easily make this flour at home by grinding raw quinoa seeds.

Pro

It is also a source of fiber and iron for your pup. It provides all 20 essential amino acids as well.

Con

It doesn’t hold the shape as well as some other flours, so may not be the best choice if you are using cookie cutters or need a specific shape.

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is made from dried and ground coconut pulp which you can do at home but may not be as easy to make as almond flour. It has less fat and fewer calories than almond flour, but also has less vitamins and minerals than almond flour.

Pro

It is pretty high in fiber which is great for stomach regularity and because of the dryness it is great for thickening broths or other liquids you may want to top off your dogs regular meals with. Coconut flour is a great option if your dog is dieting or needs to be on a low carb diet.

Con

Coconut flour can be a little grainy when working with it and because it is so high in fiber it can sometimes be hard to digest so make sure your pup has water readily available when giving them treats made from coconut flour. You may also have to add extra water when baking your treats as it often needs more than lighter flours.

You may want to avoid using coconut flour in dogs that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or IBS as it may cause gas, bloating, and other symptoms of the syndrome.

Arrowroot Flour

Arrowroot flour is a starchy substance that comes from the tropical plant Maranta arundinacea. Many pet owners swear by it to help alleviate digestive issues in pets including upset stomach, diarrhea, and constipation.

Pro

It is generally safe to use in dogs and can be mixed with other flours to make treats. It is rich in iron, B-vitamins, and potassium.

Con

Used alone it will not make a great dough, it will be more of a paste consistency and you will need to mix in another type of flour to form treats

It’s a versatile flour and can be used as a thickener or mixed with almond, coconut or tapioca flours for bread and dessert recipes. If you want a crispy, crunchy product, use it on its own.

Potato Flour

Potato flour find white powder that is ground from whole peeled and dehydrated potatoes. This makes it ideal to use as a thickening agent because it attracts and holds water. Potato flour is a natural source of iron, B vitamins, and fiber. You can easily make your own potato flour at home if you have a dehydrator, but it does take quite a while to make it as many times it can take over 10 hours.

Pro

Potato flour has high binding power and great to use in treats that need a lot of water as it absorbs a lot of water.

Con

Like potatoes, potato flour is high in carbohydrates so you may want to avoid it in dogs that need to lose a little weight. Most flours are at least 94% carbs.

If you like the properties of potato flour look into using potato starch as well, it is a little lighter than the flour and may be used in a wide variety of treat options as well.

Tapioca Flour

Also known as cassava, tapioca flour is a common carbohydrate source in grain free dog foods.

Pro

Tapioca flour is fairly easy to work with and the texture lends itself to many recipes

Con

Tapioca flour generally lacks most nutrients and is mainly used as a filler. If you want a more nutritious option, you may want to choose another flour.

Chia Seed Flour

Chia seed flour is easy to make and packed with nutrients that will benefit your furry friend. Incorporating chia seeds into your dogs diet is always a great thing, while there are some dangers that you may want to keep in mind that you can read about in this article, they are fairly safe for dogs. Chia seed flour is basically finely ground chia seeds.

Pro

Chia seed flour makes a great egg substitute if you don’t want to use eggs

Con

Chia seeds are extremely drying and can expand when wet, so ensuring your pet has adequate water available to drink and that you add water to the treats will help prevent bloating.

PULSE

What Are Pulse Flours?

Pulse flours are made from pulses or legumes. Most pulse flours are made by milling or griding whole pulses into flour and many of them can be easily made at home and retain many of their inherent nutrients. All pulses are gluten-free.

Chickpea flour

Chickpea flour is made from ground dried garbanzo beans and is high in fiber and protein. It is often used in gluten-free recipes for dogs as an alternative to wheat flour. It is pretty filling so a couple treats will go a long way. The flour has the same amount of protein and fiber as whole wheat flour.

Pro

Chickpea flour sticks together pretty well and adds a bit of texture to treats. Because it is high in fiber it is a great choice for dogs that may need assistance with constipation or firming up diarrhea.

Con

Because it does have a slightly nutty taste some dogs will turn their noses up at treats made with chickpea flour. It is a heavier flour, so combining it with lighter flours like potato startch or almond flour may make your treats a bit less dense.

Lentil

Lentil flour is made from you guessed it, dried and ground lentils. Lentil flour is an extremely nutrient-dense pulse as it is high in protein and fiber.

Pro

It is an excellent source of iron, has a low glycemic index, and is low in calories which makes it a great flour for treats in a dog that is trying to lose weight.

Con

As with most of the treats listed, you can overdo and give them too much which will usually result in an upset stomach. But that is pretty much the only con when considering lentil flour to include in your dog’s treats

Pea

Pea flour is milled from roasted peas and is rich in plant-based protein, iron, calcium, and fiber. You can easily make it at home by roasting your peas and grinding them. Pet parents make pea flour from all types of peas including split and yellow. If you are making treats that require a green hue using green pea flour will be just what you need.

Pro

Pea flour is slightly less than other pulse flours and most dogs enjoy the taste

Con

There are some dogs that are highly allergic to peas and your treats will come out green if you use green peas

PSEUDO-GRAINS

What are pseudograins?

Pseudograins or pseudocereals are non-grasses that resemble grains, but are not biologically similar but can be used in the same manner.

Amaranth flour

Amaranth flour is made by milling amaranth seeds into a fine powder. It contains higher amounts of many micronutrients than most other grains and pseudograins mentioned.

Pro

The flour is rich in vitamins and fiber and is gluten-free. It is highly nutritious and packed with proteins.

Con

Not only is amaranth pretty expensive, but it has a high glycemic index which may interfere with blood surgar levels and is not best for dogs with diabetes. It also has what many describe as an earthy or grassy flavor which may not appeal to some dogs, but since most dogs do eat grass from time to time it’s probably more the human that won’t like it. It is a havier flour so you may have to combine it with a lighter flour like almond to get the right consistency depending on the treats you are making.

Millet flour

Millet is a common ingredient in many dog foods and is a small grain like seed which while not the highest in protein and fiber is a great choice for treats due to consistency.

Pro

Millet is a source of carbohydrates and is high in B-vitamins, phosphorus, and iron, but it is easier to digest than whole wheat

Con

Aside from acting as a filler, there aren’t many added nutritional benefits to including millet in dog treats.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat flour is a pseudograin flour made from roasted buckwheat. The flour is a great source of dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and plant proteins. It also contains antioxidants.

Pro

Buckwheat has been shown to lower blood sugar levels by 12-29% and could be beneficial when included in treats for dogs that have diabetes.

Con

There aren’t too many cons to using buckwheat in dogs treats, but still do so in moderation

Teff flour

Teff flour is not commonly added to dog foods or treats, but is perfectly okay to be used as a flour alternative. It is a staple in many Ethiopian diets and has a nutty flavor. It has more iron than barley and more calcium than oats.

Pro

Teff flour is rich in fiber and protein and can be easily mixed with other gluten-free flours. It is a great choice for dogs that have sensitive stomachs since it is high in fiber, and gluten-free.

Con

The nutty, earthy flavor may deter some picky eaters

GRAINS

What are Grain fours?

Grain flours are made from grains which are members of the grass family.

Brown rice flour

Brown rice flour is made from finely ground brown rice and his rich in fiber with a light texture similar to white flour which makes it a favorite of many pet owners. Many pet food companies include brown rice flour in their formulations.

Pro

It is pretty easy to work with and may give similar results as white powder when baking. There is also not a strong taste to deter picky eaters.

Con

There are not many down sides to including brown rice flour in your dogs treats aside from possible allergies if your dog suffers from them.

Oat flour

Oat flour is a pretty common substitute for many flours because it is readily available and simple to make. If you have oats then you can quickly and easily make oat flour!

Pro

As with most of the flours mentioned, oat flour has protein and fiber which makes it good for dogs that may have some digestive upset with other flours. It has zero calories making it a great choice for pups that may need to lose a few pounds.

Con

If your pup is allergic to oats or has a hard time digesting them then steer clear of this flour

Sorghum Flour

Sorghum is often classified as an ancient grain and is a good source of vitamins, minerals, plant-based proteins, and antioxidants.

Pro

The texture is super fine so it makes exceptional treats and is easily blended with other flours for various consistencies.

Con

It is a grain so if you are concerned about feeding your pup grains steer clear

Whole-Grain Wheat Flour

This is currently one of the most popular flours that pet owners use to make their pets treats. While it isn’t simple to make at home it can be found in most grocery stores. Whole wheat contains a lot of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. If you decide to choose whole-grain wheat steer clear of white flour which has very little nutritional value because of the way it is processed. Wheat flour retains the bran or outer shell which is where the bulk of the nutrients come from.

Pro

It is prevalent and cost-effective. Whole-grain wheat flour is excellent for baking because it holds shapes well and is easy to work with. There is little taste associated with it making it a good choice for most pups.

Con

It is not grain free, if either of these are concerns for you use one of the other flours listed. Also if your pup can not tolerate gluten you may want to steer clear.