How to make pumpkin dog treats

Whether it’s pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, or pumpkin spice lattes, we all have a favorite pumpkin treat. Many people look forward to fall specifically because it means these treats are in season. Our dogs can enjoy pumpkin season treats with us, because pumpkin can help their digestive tract. 

Cooking is a fun way of bonding with family members, and this is a chance to share some of that joy with doggos, too. Here’s a recipe we know your canine companion will love. Ours do!

Equipment

• cookie sheets
• parchment paper
• rolling pin
• mixer

Ingredient List

• ¾ cup pumpkin puree (Be careful not to buy canned pumpkin pie filling. Stick with puree which is just cooked winter squash and doesn’t have added spices or fillers.)
• ½ cup nut butter like peanut or almond, no sugar, no salt, no xylitol (Go fresh if your grocery store has a grinder serving up nut butter made from nuts and nothing else. Check with your vet if you use a different kind of nut butter to be sure it's safe for your dog.) 
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 1 egg (Pasture-raised eggs are wonderful.)
• 2 cups brown rice flour
• ½ cup additional peanut butter used for drizzle

Choose organic whenever possible.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

2. Get out your favorite medium-sized mixing bowl. Dump in the pumpkin puree, ½ cup peanut butter, oats, egg, and flour.

3. Beat the mixture together until it becomes a crumbly dough that will stick when formed into a ball. Use about half the dough to form a ball.

4. Place your ball of dough between two layers of parchment paper. Flatten the ball with the palm of your hand, then grab your rolling pin to make it about ¾ inch thick.

5. Once flattened, use your choice of cookie cutter to cut out shapes of dough. If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can use a glass. Move treats to a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

6. Move treats to a parchment-lined cookie sheet, then reform a ball by adding some of the unused dough to the remaining rolled dough. Continue rolling and cutting until all dough is used. 

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. For a crispier bake, flip treats over and bake for another 6 minutes, or until crisp.

Note that you may need to adjust baking times depending on thickness or type of cookie sheet. 

8. When your treats are nearly finished baking, heat the last ½ cup of peanut butter for 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave. Add additional time if needed. The peanut butter should be smooth and creamy with a drizzle consistency.

9. Drizzle the treats once they finish baking. Let them cool completely before giving to your dog. 

10. Let cool completely before serving to your dog and feed in moderation, even though you’ll be getting those puppy eyes asking for more.

One of the best parts of this recipe is that it freezes well. Double up the batch so you always have a supply of homemade dog treats on hand. You can also cut very tiny shapes and use these as training treats if you want. For dogs who don’t have strong teeth, you can put these treats in their bowl with a small amount of water to soften. 

Now you have a way for pumpkin season to be fun for the whole family, including your furry children!