If you’re looking to create a fun homemade dog treat, try making Apple Cheese Dog Pizza! It contains ingredients that are easy to prepare at home and are safe for dogs, like apple, cheese and oats.
This dog pizza recipe is not the same as a human pizza recipe. It doesn’t require salty sauces, spicy toppings or ingredients that can be dangerous to dogs.
Pizza bites are great for training treats, special events or as a quick snack. Like all homemade dog treats, serving size is important and this recipe is not meant to be your dog’s meal plan.
What Is Apple Cheese Dog Pizza?
Apple Cheese Dog Pizza is a homemade dog treat in the form of a mini pizza.
It’s a pizza recipe that doesn’t include pizza sauce or heavily seasoned toppings, but rather simple ingredients that are better for dogs!
These can include the main ingredients:
- Apple
- Oats
- Whole wheat flour
- Egg
- Plain cheese
- Water
The end product is a small baked good that’s soft to firm to the bite, and has a mild apple flavor with a hint of cheese.
Ingredients You Need
Use any of these for this homemade dog pizza recipe:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
As necessary, add 1/4 cup water.
Peeled and finely chopped apple ½
1/4 cup shredded cheese, plain
Select a plain cheese that is not spiced, cheesed or should be avoided as it contains other unsafe ingredients.
If your dog can have dairy, you can use cheddar or other mild cheese.
Why Use Apple?
Plain apple flesh can be an occasional dog-friendly food for many dogs.
While apples are a source of fiber and a few nutrients, they also do contain natural sugar, so it’s important to pay attention to your serving size.
Always remove the apple seeds and core before using apple in a dog treat.
Dogs should never be intentionally fed with apple seeds as they contain compounds that may produce cyanide when chewed or crushed.
Please slice an apple into small chunks before using it in the recipe.
Why Use Cheese?
Homemade dog treats can be flavored with cheese and have a high protein content.
But a few dogs may not tolerate dairy products.
Cheese being too rich in fat and lactose may lead to digestive upset.
Test it out with a small dose and observe your dog’s response.
If your dog is sensitive to dairy, avoid giving him the cheese or consult your vet about a substitute.
How to Make Apple Cheese Dog Pizza
Clean a large apple with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.
Thoroughly wash the apple.
Discard core and all seeds.
Peel it if desired.
Chop apple into small pieces.
Small pieces are easier to incorporate into the dough.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Place whole wheat flour and oat flour in a large bowl.
Combine egg and unsweetened applesauce.
Mix everything together.
Add water in gradually until soft dough is made.
The entire amount of this water may not be necessary.
The dough should be quite smooth and not too sticky.
Step 3: Add the Apple
Add chopped apple to dough and fold.
Gently stir to distribute the pieces of apple evenly.
Step 4: Roll the Dough
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Spread it out to approximately 1/4” thick.
Create mini pizza bases with a small round cutter or a glass.
Small circles can also be hand-shaped.
Size pieces to your dog’s size!
Step 5: Top with the Cheese
Arrange small dough pieces on parchment lined baking sheet.
Sprinkle a small amount of plain shredded cheese on each piece.
No human pizza toppings: pizza sauce, garlic, onion, pepperoni, sausage.
A lot of the ingredients in traditional pizza are too salty, too fatty, too spicy or even unsafe for a dog.
Step 6: Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the dog pizzas for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
The edges should be stiffened and slightly golden.
Ensure that the dough is well cooked.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Remove the treats from the oven.
Wait until it’s cooled off completely before you give one to your dog.
Baking hot cheese and breads can be a problem for your dog’s mouth.
Ingredients to Avoid in Apple Cheese Dog Pizza
When preparing a pizza that is safe for dogs, it is important to pay attention to the safety of ingredients.
Never add:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Chocolate
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Xylitol
- Macadamia nuts
- Excessive salt
- Spicy sauces
- Alcohol
- Cooked bones
Even cooked, onions and garlic can be toxic for dogs.
Xylitol, also known as birch sugar, is a highly toxic sugar that is present in some food items consumed by humans.
When using products made up in packages, always read the list of ingredients.
Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Some dogs may eat a little of the plain flesh of a apple without harm.
But apples do need to be prepared properly.
Remove:
- Seeds
- Core
- Stem
Apple should be cut into good-sized pieces.
Never feed your dog a large piece that may cause a choking hazard.
If it’s your dog’s first time eating apple, introduce it gradually and observe any issues with stomach upset.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
Dairy can be an issue for some dogs, but many will tolerate a small amount of certain plain cheeses.
Dairy products can cause gas, diarrhea, or other stomach upset in some dogs.
Cheese, too, is high in calories, so it’s best to eat only small amounts.
As with any other food, consult your veterinarian before adding cheese to your dog’s homemade treats if you know your dog is intolerant of dairy or if you are making a medical diet.
Apple Cheese Dog Pizza for Puppies
A puppy’s nutritional requirement is different from an adult dog’s and treats should be handled accordingly.
Prep small pizza slices and only serve as treats.
Do not give extremely hard foods which will be hard for young teeth to chew.
For puppies with a sensitive stomach, an allergy to certain foods or a special diet, consult with your veterinarian before adding new food items.
Easy Apple Cheese Dog Pizza Variation
An easier to make version is to use apple and oats without cheese.
Combine oat flour, unsweetened applesauce and finely chopped apple.
Form into little circles and bake until set.
This will make a very easy dog treat recipe using only apples and not any dairy.
If your dog is already eating plain pumpkin, you can also give him a little plain pumpkin.
How Many Apple Cheese Dog Pizza Treats Can Your Dog Have?
Give treats just a small percentage of your dog’s daily food intake.
A rule of thumb for vets is to provide treats at 10% or lower of calorie needs.
This depends on your dog’s size, age, activity level and health, among other things.
One little piece will be all that a little dog will need; a big dog will be able to have a little more.
Avoid feeding homemade pizza treats to your dog instead of a proper, well-balanced dog food.
How to Store Apple Cheese Dog Pizza
Refrigeration is okay for these treats, as they contain apple, egg and cheese!
Cool down treats and store in a sealed container in the fridge.
Use them within a reasonable time from the point of food being safe and look for changes in smell, color or consistency.
Check the treats for spoilage, and discard if they are spotted.
Small amounts can be frozen for extended storage.
Let frozen food thaw properly before eating.
Tips for a Dog-Friendly Apple Cheese Dog Pizza
Simplify the recipe.
Use plain ingredients.
Try not to use salty sauces and canned meats.
Take out apple cores and seeds.
Only use an small amount of cheese.
Create treats that are an appropriate size for your dog.
Use caution with a new treat, and be sure to supervise your dog.
Before giving homemade treats to your dog if he has a medical condition or is on a prescription diet, consult your veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Apple Cheese Dog Pizza is a simple, fun homemade dog biscuit made with apple, oats, flour, egg and a little plain cheese.
It is quite unlike the normal man’s pizza. No need of salty tomato sauce, garlic, onion, spicy toppings or processed meats.
The best way to make a safe pizza is to remove the cores, any apple seeds, use doggie-friendly ingredients, feed in small portions and allow to cool thoroughly before feeding.
This recipe is a great treat from time to time for dogs that accept all the ingredients. Don’t change your dog’s food without consulting your vet if he or she has allergies, digestive issues or specific dietary requirements.
These little homemade dog pizza treats will be fun to mix in with your dog’s treat routine with some care and portion control.
