5 Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipes

Pumpkin is a wonderfully healthy food for dogs, making it an excellent ingredient for homemade treats. If you're looking for some fresh baking ideas, we have five pumpkin dog treat recipes we think you and your pup will love. These treats will not only add some exciting flavor to your dog's diet but also provide a healthy boost!

You'll find the ingredients are simple and inexpensive, and the treats themselves aren't overflowing with calories. Keep reading to discover how easy it is to make these healthier pumpkin dog treats at home.

Top 5 Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipes Your Dog Will Love

Here are 5 recipes we believe both our dogs and yours will truly enjoy.

1. Easy 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Treats

Our first recipe comes from The Pop Gnomes, a team known for sharing many wonderful ideas for both people and pets, all inspired by their dog, Olive. This particular recipe quickly became a favorite because it requires only two main ingredients, with a couple of optional additions if you like.

What you'll need:

• 1 to 1½ cups of Pumpkin Puree
• 2 cups of Whole Wheat Flour

Optional additions:

• Chia or flax seeds
• Cinnamon

Here's how to make them:

First, mix the whole wheat flour and pumpkin puree together thoroughly. If the mixture seems too dry, just add a little bit of water until you reach a good consistency. 

Once happy with your dough, roll it out, making sure to keep it fairly thick since these treats won't rise much while baking. Then, use cookie cutters to create fun shapes.

Bake these treats for about 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C), or until they turn a nice golden brown.

2. Frozen Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats (3 Ingredients)

Say hello to the easiest homemade dog treats! These frozen pumpkin peanut butter dog treats are incredibly simple, needing just three ingredients, and your dog will absolutely adore them! 

We combine pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and coconut oil, then freeze them into convenient, healthy homemade snacks.

Here is what you need:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted or softened)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

Start by adding all your ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Stir everything together very well until it's thoroughly combined. Then, spoon a generous tablespoon or so of the mixture into silicone molds. We used dog bone shapes, but any kind will work perfectly. This amount typically makes about 15 treats using the dog bone molds, though your yield might differ based on your mold size.

Finally, pop them into the freezer for 1 to 2 hours until they firm up. And that’s it – the easiest homemade peanut butter dog treats are ready! Since these are frozen, let them sit out for a minute or two to soften slightly before giving them to your pup, so they aren't too cold.

3. Hearty Pumpkin Muffins for Dogs

This next recipe is for those who enjoy a bit more baking. These delicious pumpkin muffins are a wonderful treat for your pooch!

What you need:

• ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup quick-cook oats
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon ginger

Here's how to make them:

First, preheat your oven and lightly grease or spray a mini muffin tin to get it ready for your batter.

Next, put the quick-cook oats into a blender or food processor and pulse them until they are about half-powdered. Once that's done, combine these blended oats with all the other ingredients in a large bowl. Stir everything until it's just mixed. Then, fill your prepared muffin tins about two-thirds full with the batter.

To finish, sprinkle a little extra oatmeal on top of each muffin for a pleasant crunch. Bake for 16 minutes in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), or until the tops turn a lovely golden brown.

Once the muffins have cooled completely, you can store them in your refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to three months.

4. Pupkin’ Spice Homemade Dog Treat Recipe

These homemade dog biscuits feature a delicious blend of ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon, giving them incredible flavor, a vibrant pumpkin color, and an irresistible aroma.

Ingredients You'll Need:

• Canned Pumpkin: Any plain canned pumpkin works well; just be sure to pick pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugars and spices.
• Oats: Old-fashioned oats are ideal, but quick-cooking oats you have on hand will also work perfectly.
• Eggs
• Ground Cinnamon
• Ground Turmeric: This ingredient is excellent for joint health.
• Ground Ginger: Known for helping soothe tummies.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Both regular and white whole wheat flour are great for this recipe.
• Peanut Butter: It's crucial to use peanut butter that contains no artificial sweeteners like xylitol, as xylitol is toxic to dogs.
• Kosher Salt (Optional): A small amount of salt is fine for dogs and provides electrolytes, similar to what's found in commercial dog food. Just ensure they don't overdo it

How to Make Them:

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, add all your ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir everything together until fully combined. The mixture will be a little dry and crumbly at first, but it should come together and be moldable, similar to the texture of playdough.

Using your fingers, press the dough into your favorite molds, then place your shaped treats on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat. They don’t need much space between them since they won't expand, just make sure to avoid them touching to prevent sticking.

Alternatively, you can roll about a teaspoon of dough into a ball and then flatten it with your thumb, or even roll out the dough with a rolling pin and use cookie cutters for various shapes.

Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, until the biscuits become hard and crunchy. If you're using molds, the treats will likely be thicker and will probably need the full 45 minutes. Once baked, let the treats cool for a few minutes before letting your excited pooch try them out!

5. Grain-Free Pumpkin Dog Treats

These treats are perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs, especially those who need a diet free from additives, gluten, or wheat.

What you'll need :

• 2 ½ cups garbanzo flour
• 2 ½ tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup canned pumpkin puree

Here's how to make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (148°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine the garbanzo flour, peanut butter, eggs, and pumpkin puree. Mix thoroughly until fully combined.
3. The dough will be sticky, so lightly flour your hands, rolling pin, wax paper, and cookie cutter.
4. Transfer the dough to the floured wax paper and roll it to about a ¼-inch thickness. Use your cookie cutter to make shapes. (Alternatively, you can scoop the dough onto the baking sheet and flatten it with a spoon.)
5. Place the cut-out dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 40 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
7. Once cooled to room temperature, they're ready for your dog's taste test!

These cookies will stay fresh for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container.

 

Well, that wraps up our baking adventures, and we’re certainly feeling hungry! I know which recipe we'll be trying this month. How about you?