How to make 5 easy dog treats and what you need to do it

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Christine Caplan/INSIDER

• We tested five easy homemade dog treats recipes that were developed by Kiki Kane, the trending editor and dog chef at Rover, the dog-walking and sitting site.
• Kane's goal is to make cooking and baking for dogs easy, but these recipes don't skimp on flavor — some can even be shared with humans.
• Dogs can have food sensitivities and allergies to a large variety of foods. If you have concerns about any ingredients, be sure to talk to your vet. My dogs have GI issues and didn't have any problems with these five recipes, which were fed in moderation.

"What says love better than food?" Rover's resident dog chef Kiki Kane said in an interview with Insider Reviews.

Food is one way we can share our love and bond with others, especially our pets. Sure, most of us feed our pets high-quality dog food, but making homemade dog treats is a fun, special way to really surprise them.

Kane's rescue dog, Rudy, inspired her to cook for dogs and become a canine chef. "Rudy was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, and this wonderful dog was wasting away," she said. She started with meatloaf as a topper and it worked wonders on his attitude and weight. She learned everything she could about cooking for dogs and how accessible it is. "It's like cooking for people minus the fat and sugar," Kane said.

For this article, Kane shared five of her favorite recipes, including Two-Ingredient Treats, Very Berry Non-Dairy Ice Cream for Dogs, Banana Bread for Dogs, Apple Bites, and Pizza Bites. I really enjoyed cooking them for my two hounds — they deserve it. My dogs loved all of them but had a favorite. Some of the recipes can be shared with humans, including the banana bread and sorbet (just add some rum or tequila, if you prefer). They're also sugar- and fat-free.

Some of these treats are better for warmer temperatures, and others are perfect for any season. You can also save one or two for special occasions like your dog's birthday or their "gotcha day" (adoption day). Even if you don't bake regularly, these recipes are easy enough for beginners.