How To Make Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats

Pumpkins Can Offer Your Dog Several Health Benefits.

 

 

As much as dogs love the taste of pumpkin when appropriately prepared, homemade pumpkin dog treats also offer several benefits. Yes, you do have the option of getting these from the market, but most commercial dog foods lack proper nutrients like Vitamin B, fiber, and antioxidants. 

 

Even if some claim that these nutrients are present, their quantities might not be enough for your dog. Providing your dog with additional supplements that offer the right amount of nutrients and fibers is necessary. 

 

So, is pumpkin a good treat for dogs? If you haven’t heard about pumpkin’s benefits for your dog from your vet already, here are a few:

 

• Pumpkins are high in vitamin A, which promotes eye health and prevents night blindness and other forms of eye degeneration.
• Pumpkin contains vitamin C, which, when combined with vitamin A, E, and other antioxidants, can prevent dogs from developing certain types of cancer.
• Pumpkin prevents urinary incontinence, aids in weight loss, and keeps your dog hydrated. 

 

But if you have never given your dog pumpkin-related food products and are

 

wondering, “Is pumpkin a good treat for your dog?“ read on. 

 

Now that you know the benefits of pumpkin for your dog, it’s time to get your hands dirty in the kitchen and prepare some delicious homemade pumpkin dog treats. 

 

 

Frozen Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treat

 

This treat only requires three ingredients, so that you can give it to your dog for a healthy treat. 

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter

 

Directions

 

1. Add all the ingredients mentioned above to the mixing bowl and mix them thoroughly. 
2. Once mixed properly, move them to molds of your choice.
3. For better texture, freeze them for 1-2 hours.
4. Before letting your puppy enjoy it, let it defrost for 2-3 minutes. 

 

Those who are concerned about coconut oil and are wondering can dog eat coconut, don’t fret. If given in small quantities, coconut oil can be beneficial for your dog. 

 

Pumpkin and Banana Treat

 

Pumpkin can serve as a laxative and help relieve dog constipation.

 

Almost all dogs enjoy pumpkins, as well as bananas. How about combining these two delicious foods into one tasty treat?

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 overripe banana
• ½ cup organic pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 ½ cups of whole wheat flour 

 

Directions

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 ℉.
2. Make a puree by mixing the pumpkin, banana, and honey in a large bowl. 
3. Mix the flour and baking powder into the mixture. Adjust the consistency by adding more flour as needed.
4. Roll the mixture on a cutting board with extra flour. Use a cookie cutter to cut out individual treats. 
5. On a cookie-cutter, lay parchment paper and arrange the treats.
6. Bake these for 10 to 12 minutes until they turn golden brown. 
7. Store the cookies in an airtight container or in the refrigerator when cooled.

 

Pumpkin and banana treats are great options for your dog. 
ALSO READ: What is Astaxanthin and How Can It Help My Dog?

 

 

Pumpkin Carrot Bites

 

Carrots are great for your dog’s teeth and help reduce tartar buildup.

 

Here is a pumpkin dog treats recipe with no peanut butter that you can serve your dog. 

 

Ingredients

 

• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• ¾ cup organic pumpkin puree
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 slightly beaten egg

 

Directions

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 ℉.
2. Combine these ingredients into a large bowl until a nice, moist butter forms. 
3. Make small balls from this batter, and place them on a baking sheet. 
4. Bake these in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. 
5. This should yield around 50 treats that can be stored either in an airtight container or in the refrigerator. 

 

Wondering, “Can I give my dog pumpkin every day?” Even the most nutritious and healthy foods need to be served in the right proportion. It varies from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, depending on the dog’s size.

 

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treat

 

Your dog will surely jump with joy when you give it this treat. So what can you mix with pumpkin for dogs? Peanut butter is one healthy option. However, make sure you use homemade peanut butter, as store-bought butter may contain Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. 

 

Ingredients

 

• 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup canned pumpkin
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter 
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• ½ tablespoon salt
• Water as required

 

Directions

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 ℉.
2. Combine flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Stir well with a spatula until mixed nicely.
3. Transfer the mixture to a work surface and work with your hand until it starts to come together. 
4. If necessary, add 1 tablespoon of water to make the dough workable, but do not add too much as the dough should be dry and stiff.
5. Next, roll the dough into a ½ inch thick sheet. Cut this into ½ inch pieces and transfer them to a baking sheet. 
6. Bake the treats in the oven for 40 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. 

 

 

Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treats

 

Couldn’t finish the whole can of pumpkin puree? If you are wondering what to do with it? You can make your four-legged friend happy with this crunchy frozen pumpkin dog treats recipe.

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup plain yogurt

 

Directions

 

1. Mix the yogurt and pumpkin in a bowl. 
2. Separate the mixture into two equal portions and place them in a mold or ice tray.
3. Freeze for 24 hours.
4. Take the treats out of the mold and put them into a freezer bag for storage.

 

ALSO READ: What Supplements are Best for Your Aging Dog?

 

Crunchy Gluten Free Dog Treats

 

Crispy, crunchy, whole-grain treats made with peanut butter and pumpkin flavors!

 

Ingredients

 

• ⅓ cup canned pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoon no sugar peanut butter
• 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour
• 2 eggs

 

Directions

 

1. Heat the oven to 350 ℉. 
2. Lay unbleached parchment paper over a large baking sheet
3. Place the pumpkin puree, eggs, and peanut butter in a large bowl and combine well by whisking regularly. 
4. Add 1 ½ cups of flour, and mix until the mixture becomes thick and stiff. 
5. After sprinkling the surface with flour, knead the dough until smooth on top of the sprinkled surface. 
6. To prevent the dough from sticking, sprinkle some more flour, and roll out the dough into an oval shape. 
7. Cut out the shapes, and transfer them to the baking sheet using a cookie cutter. 
8. After the oven has been preheated, place the baking sheet in it, and bake for around 20 minutes until the edges are golden brown. 

 

 

Pumpkin-Apple Dog Treats

 

Pumpkin Apple Treats are a great option if you’re looking for a grain-free pumpkin dog treats recipe. 

 

Ingredients

 

• 4 cups oats 
• 1 medium apple, grated and cored
• 1 egg
• 1 cup canned pumpkin

 

Directions

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 ℉, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. To grind oatmeal, place 4 cups in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until the oatmeal is finely ground. Pour into a mixing bowl.
3. Add grated apple and stir. Then mix the canned pumpkin and egg until the mixture becomes thick and slightly sticky. 
4. Sprinkle some oats on the surface, and roll the dough to ½ inch thickness. 
5. Cut the cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet using the cookie cutter. 
6. Bake these in a preheated oven until they turn brown and crisp. This should take 12 to 15 minutes. 
7. Once cooked, let them cool, and you can store them in an airtight container. 

 

No-Bake Pumpkin Treats

 

Ingredients

 

• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup honey 
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 ½ cups oats

 

Directions

 

1. Mix the oats, pumpkin puree, honey, peanut butter, and cinnamon in a bowl until thoroughly combined. 
2. Form small balls of around 1 ½” and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 
3. Let them chill for an hour in a refrigerator and store them in an airtight container. 

 

Love pampering your dog with healthy pumpkin treats? Here are other ways to keep your dog healthy.

 

Healthy homemade pumpkin dog treats like those listed above can be an alternative to unhealthy commercial dog food for your dog.

 

Although all of these treats are healthy and safe, you should always consult your Holistic Veterinarian before giving your dog anything new. Doing this can make sure that you are not giving your dog anything it will react to or won’t be able to handle.