Are Homemade Treats Really Better?
When you view your pets as family, it’s easy to want the best for them.
Whether it’s fun new toys, a comfortable bed, long walks, or playtime together, their happiness is always on our minds.
But what about the treats we give them?
Tara Bickel, founder of Tara’s Tasty Pet Treats, always aimed to give her own pets high-quality, delicious, purposeful snacks.
And she strongly believes all pets deserve the same, too!
Animals have always had a place in her heart
“All my pets have been rescued in some kind of way, either from a family that couldn't care for them anymore or by showing up on my doorstep. If I had all the land in the world, I would probably have a million animals.”
Growing up with dogs, cats, and even fish, animals were always in Tara’s life.
Being a 4-H member, the cat project allowed her to really dive into all things cats. Covering topics like proper care, cat health, and nutrition, she dedicated countless hours to caring for her beautiful calico cat.
“Her temperament was wonderful, she was so good, the judges loved her… I would repeatedly win Grand Champion.”
Fast forward to adulthood, and her love of animals has led to a home filled with a handful of rescued pets and a whole lot of unconditional love.
“They get me when, you know, no one else is there…. When you really need that support from someone who you can just talk to.”
Spoiled with homemade treats
In the past, Tara had dabbled with making treats for her pets.
She already loved baking, so when time permitted, she’d love to spoil them with something delicious and freshly made.
But when she was laid off from her corporate job, she suddenly had all the time in the world.
“I was like, ‘Okay, what can I do now?’ I was bored. Places weren’t really hiring either so I had to think of another way to make money.
I love to bake, so I asked myself, ‘How can I do my baking but still have fun and be creative?’ I thought about my pets and that’s how it all began.”
From there, she began extensive research, not just with ingredients but with the legalities behind running a business that involved food for animals.
“It’s very regulated. I have more licenses than I know what to do with! I have an agriculture license, a state license, county, city…”
Even though it seemed daunting at times, her mission to help give others’ pets the healthiest lives possible kept her going.
At first, she reached out to family and friends through social media, as well as those in her neighborhood, to see if this was something they’d be interested in.
What she discovered was a need, and a strong desire, to have access to tasty, purposeful treats.
So she set out to give these pets what they deserved.
Healthy, beneficial ingredients can taste good too!
“I've had people come up and they're like, ‘Oh, I thought you were selling cookies!’ Because that's the thing… I want people to be like, ‘If that smells good to me, then my dog probably loves it.”
Having both a puppy and a senior dog at the time, researching safe and purposeful ingredients for all ages was something Tara really prioritized.
Not only would it be important when it came to her own pets, but other pet parents would appreciate the extra attention to details too.
“They're like my children. I had to think , ‘Even me, as a pet owner, wants to know what’s in my pets’ food.’ The people working at big brands don’t always know what’s in the food they’re making.
So that’s kind of my thing: Pet treats made by a pet parent.”
That’s led Tara to take a very health-conscious approach to pet treats. She always lists the limited, human-grade ingredients and aims to be as transparent as possible, creating a sense of trust and connection with the people, and pets, she serves.
“I want people to be able to read my label and be like, well, I have this in my kitchen!”
And because of her focus on research and safe, beneficial ingredients, she’s come up with three staple flavor combos that also offer health benefits (and you can experiment with these ingredients at home!).
🦴 Turmeric and bone broth, found in her fan-favorite Chicken in a Biscuit flavor, can provide support for joints and inflammation.
🦴 Her pumpkin puree and peanut butter option can help with tummy issues and digestion, because of the extra fiber.
🦴 Mint and spinach come together in her Minty Fresh treats. Inspired by her senior dog Lucy’s stinky breath (sweet Lucy just passed last month 💓), they help blast the doggie breath with extra vitamins, and the green color, from the spinach too.
“I really do look at the benefits of each of these elements… What are things that animals need? What's good for their health?”
Creating connection with pets and humans alike
“I think they see the love and passion that I have behind it, and my excitement when I see their dogs.”
Sharing handmade treats with your pet can feel like a special moment, especially when it’s a change from the more convenient mass-produced treats we have access to at nearly every store.
Knowing exactly what’s in it and how it’ll benefit their health helps us feel good about what we’re giving them.
When those treats are locally made, it also gives us a chance to meet the pet parent behind them, who’s equally obsessed with our pets as we are.
“One of my repeat customers, their dog has been coming since he was a puppy. The very first time he came to my market booth, he didn't want to leave. I was able to get a picture of him in front of my whole booth but then, they had to drag him away.
Now, every time he comes back, we take a picture. And this last time, they're like, ‘We want you in the picture with Jack.’”
Being able to see the love others have for their pets provides so much fulfillment and purpose.
The perks of handmade, small-batch options
“When I educate them about what’s in the treats and the reason behind that, I think they realize, ‘Oh, she's not just making them to make them, she's making them with purpose.”
Our pets rely on us to give them good quality food that supports their health and fortunately, we have endless options to do so nowadays.
Between local markets, mom & pop storefronts, and convenience of the internet, supporting pet-obsessed small businesses not only keeps them running but it benefits our pets too.
“I think they understand that these treats are coming from someone that has pets, and they see my own love for my own animals.”
Often baked in kitchens instead of being processed under high heat, these treats still have to meet regulations to ensure safety and consistency among batches.
Plus, we get to see exactly what goes into it–no mystery ingredients or unnecessary fillers.
But there is a price to pay. Handmade goods are almost always more expensive, with better quality ingredients, time, and care going into every single one that’s made.
For those moments when money is tight, spoiling our pets here and there makes the treats even more special.
Or, we can always try making them too!
Some things to remember about DIY treats
“If someone wants to recreate something or try making that at home, please be sure you're looking at those ingredients!”
Making treats at home can be a fun, rewarding way to strengthen the bond with your pet.
To make the most of this experience, Tara’s number one tip is this:
Research, research, research!
Start by noticing any issues your pet may be having. Like humans, many health issues can be addressed with natural ingredients but before using them in treats, make sure they’re safe for your pets too.
It’s also helpful to know common allergies and alternative ingredients that can be used in case your pet doesn’t like a specific food, or can’t have it altogether.
Something else to keep in mind is that beneficial ingredients like bone broth often have other foods added for taste. Common additions like onion and garlic can be toxic, so double check that the brand you’re getting doesn’t include those.
If you’d love to try some homemade treats for your own pet, but making your own doesn’t sound too fun, Tara ships her tasty treats nationwide (or, you can find her locally in middle Tennessee)!
The best way to reach her is to contact her through Facebook or Instagram. Let her know you found her through Cotl!
Keep their treats coming, no matter what
We spend so much time making sure our pets always have the best, from toys, to playtime, to homemade treats.
But if something happened to you right now, would they still get to live this life they’ve grown to love and feel safe in?
Putting a Cotl plan in place ensures your pet is taken care of, just the way they’re used to, no matter what happens to you.
