Delicious Pumpkin Treats for Your Pup

The start of Autumn means pumpkins and pumpkin-flavored treats are everywhere. People can enjoy pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and more! But what about our furry friends? Turns out, many dogs love the flavor of pumpkins as well. Plus, pumpkins have a variety of health benefits for your pooch since they are packed with vitamins and minerals to help with eye health, bone health, heart health, getting enough fiber and getting rid of intestinal worms. 

Want to share your love of pumpkin-flavored treats with your dog? Here are just a few homemade pumpkin dog treats you can make:

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ½ cup peanut butter (Xylitol-free, ideally natural)

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F
• In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin and peanut butter
• Stir in the flour and combine the mixture into a dough
• Roll out the dough onto a floured surface
• Cut the dough into shapes with your favorite cookie cutter
• Place the treats half an inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet
• Bake for 12 minutes
• Let them cool before giving them to your dog

Oatmeal Pumpkin Dog Treats:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of old-fashioned oats (not quick-cooking)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup pumpkin puree

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Place oats into a food processor or blender
• Blend until it has a similar consistency to flour
• Combine all the ingredients to make a dough
• Scoop out small cookie-sized pieces into a ball and add them onto a parchment-lined sheet pan
• Flatten with a fork dipped in flour
• Bake for 16-18 minutes
• Let them cool before giving them to your dog

 Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• 1 banana (mashed)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Mix eggs, banana and pumpkin together. Add flour and mix until all the flour is incorporated.
• Lightly dust the counter and a rolling pin with flour, then roll out dough to approximately 1/8″ and cut out treats.
• Lay on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes. 
• Let them cool completely before giving to your dog

These recipes use a pumpkin puree that you can either buy in the store – as long as it doesn’t have added ingredients – or make at home. 

To make homemade pumpkin puree, 

• Cut and remove the seeds and skin from the pumpkin. 
• Place the pumpkin chunks into a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. 
• Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the pumpkin is soft.
• Drain the water and set aside to cool. 
• Put the pumpkin into a blender until it’s smooth and you’re ready to go with pumpkin puree!

Not only are all these treats easy to make, but they have added health benefits to keep your pup happy and healthy! Happy Fall everyone!