Easy Pumpkin Dog Treats And Recipes To Try At Home

Pumpkin dog treats are not only delicious, but they’re also healthy for your beloved companion. There are tons of simple pumpkin recipes out there, and you’ll find that they’re extremely easy to make. If you’d rather show your pup some homemade love, rather than just buying healthy pumpkin dog treats online or at your favorite pet store, you’ve come to the right place.

Is Pumpkin Good For Dogs?

The short answer is that pumpkin(when prepared correctly) is very good for your pooch — particularly for digestive upset. Pumpkin is high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium, and it also has a good amount of calcium.¹

Here are just a couple of the ways pumpkin may be able to help support your dog’s health. As with any type of food, always check with your veterinarian first before giving your pet anything new.

• Weight – If your pup is a bit on the overweight side, you might want to consider switching out a small portion of your dog’s regular food with pumpkin. Pumpkin is low in calories, and there’s a fair chance your pup will love it.
• Digestion – Pumpkin may help dogs suffering from irregular bathroom habits or digestive discomfort. If your dog has tummy troubles, add a tablespoon of pumpkin into their normal food. Just remember to use organic fresh or canned pumpkin – not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling might contain sugar or xylitol, a common sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs.^2,3 Also, the spices in the pie filling could upset the gastrointestinal tract. A good rule of thumb is that if it smells really good when you open a can, then you bought the wrong one.

Recipes For Pumpkin Dog Treats

Here are some simple pumpkin recipes you can make in no time, and use ingredients that you might very well already have on hand. Your pooch will absolutely love them — and keep coming back for more.

Basic Pumpkin Treats

Some people like to make pumpkin treats for their dogs during the holidays, but you can make them any time of the year. Here’s a recipe for a basic, no-frills treat.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup organic pumpkin puree (make sure it is sugar-free and is not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling might contain sugar or xylitol, a common sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs)
• ½ cup organic creamy peanut butter (make sure it is sugar-free and doesn’t contain xylitol – check the label first)
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup flour

Instructions

1. First, use parchment paper to line a cookie sheet while preheating your oven to 375°F.
2. Put the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and egg yolk in a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer.
3. Use another bowl to mix the baking powder with the two types of flour.
4. Add the mixture to the larger bowl gradually, until all ingredients combine together. The dough will be dry, but don’t worry. It’s supposed to be that way.
5. Sprinkle some flour on a mixing board and transfer the dough. Roll out pieces that are about ¼ inch in thickness.
6. Use a bone cookie cutter (or any kind of cookie cutter will work) to shape the dough, and place the treats on the cookie sheet.
7. Put the cookies in the oven, and bake for 20-25 minutes.
8. Allow to cool, and then give one or two to your pooch. The cookies should last for at least two weeks, as long as you store them in an airtight container.⁴

Pumpkin Carrot Bites

If you’re hoping to make something a little different, try these pumpkin carrot bites. As with almost all homemade dog treats, your pup is almost sure to love them. And with just four simple ingredients, you can whip up a tasty batch in no time flat.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• ¾ cup organic pumpkin puree (make sure it is sugar-free and is not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling might contain sugar or xylitol, a common sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs)
• 1 slightly beaten egg
• 1 cup whole wheat flour

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all of the ingredients into a large bowl until you’ve created a nice, moist batter.
3. Break up the batter into small pieces and roll into small balls. Place the balls onto a baking sheet.
4. Bake in the oven for between 30 and 35 minutes.
5. You should get somewhere around 50 treats. You can easily store them in either an airtight container or the refrigerator.⁵

Pumpkin And Banana Treat

Nearly all dogs love pumpkin, and they also love bananas. Why not combine these two tasty foods into one delicious treat?

Ingredients

• ½ can organic pumpkin puree (make sure it is sugar-free and is not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling might contain sugar or xylitol, a common sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs)
• 1 banana (very ripe)
• 1 Tablespoon of honey
• 1 ½ cups of whole wheat flour
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix together the pumpkin puree, honey, and banana in a large bowl.
3. Add the flour and baking powder to the mix. Add more flour if the mixture is too wet.
4. Sprinkle some extra flour on a cutting board and roll the mixture. Cut out individual treats with a cookie cutter.
5. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and place the treats on the paper.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the treats turn a slight golden brown.
7. Wait until the treats are cool to the touch, and then serve.
8. Store any uneaten treats in an airtight container.⁶

How To Make Frosty Pumpkin Dog Treats

Do you feel like giving your pooch something extra special on a hot day? Of all the simple pumpkin recipes, this one might be the easiest.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt
• 1 cup organic pumpkin puree (make sure it is sugar-free and is not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling might contain sugar or xylitol, a common sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs)

Instructions

1. Mix the yogurt and pumpkin together in a bowl, and then put the mixture in either molds or an ice tray.
2. Freeze for 24 hours, and serve after popping the treats out of the mold/ice tray. Place the uneaten treats in a freezer bag to keep for another time.⁷

Be Cautious When Using Peanut Butter In Dog Treats

As mentioned earlier, you have to be extremely careful when using peanut butter in any sort of treat. Certain types of peanut butter can be completely safe, when provided in moderation. If possible, use unsalted peanut butter. Too much sodium can be a problem for a dog. And always check the label to make sure the peanut butter you’re using in your treats is free of sugar and xylitol.⁸

Show Your Dog Some Love

By making your dog treats at home, you’ll know you’ll be expressing your love for your dog in the best way. Plus, you’ll have fun doing it. Just don’t be surprised if your pooch shows up in the kitchen to supervise.

Learn More:
Tips For Selecting The Right Dog Food Bowl
Food Aggression In Dogs: What To Do And How To Control
Can Cats Eat Hard Boiled Eggs? How About Dogs? Human Food In Your Furry Friend’s Diet

Sources
1 https://thebark.com/content/can-dogs-eat-pumpkin-super-foods-dogs
2 https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/nutrition/3-health-benefits-pumpkin-dogs
3 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-pumpkin-help-with-dog-diarrhea/
4 https://www.spendwithpennies.com/pumpkin-dog-treat-recipe
5 https://www.mypawsitivelypets.com/2014/11/holiday-dog-treat-recipe-pumpkin-carrot.html
6 http://www.sweetpaulmag.com/food/homemade-banana-amp-pumpkin-dog-treats
7 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/3-pumpkin-recipes-for-dogs
8 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-peanut-butter