As owners and pet enthusiasts, we all know that there is more than one way of whipping up a delicious homemade dog treat recipes with pumpkin for our beloved companions. You can have your dog enjoy variations of these pumpkin snacks by adding peanut butter, banana, or even cinnamon. Your choice depends on how fast your dog chows down the treat, letting you know how much she loves whatever variant you baked for her.
We think that all three of these dog biscuit recipes with pumpkin will be a surefire hit for your hungry furry friend. Let’s look into how to make these easy-to-bake doggie snacks, but first, let’s discover a few important things about pumpkins becoming a part of your dog’s diet.
Is Pumpkin Good for Your Dog?
Pumpkin is known to promote good digestion in dogs (and humans), as it is high in fiber. It alleviates constipation and surprisingly prevents diarrhea too. Experts recommend that you may want to once in a while add a spoonful of pumpkin to your dog’s meals to relieve gastrointestinal problems.
Pumpkin carries vitamin A and C that both support the immune system and your dog’s eyesight. Fortunately for us owners, dogs, for some reason, love pumpkins. So, giving them some of this tasty fruit/veggie in the form of a treat is a smart way to keep them healthy and full of energy while at play or work.
Why Make Pumpkin Dog Treats at Home?
Buying from the store shelves for your dog’s treats may be the easiest thing to do; however, more often than not, ready-made snacks might contain preservatives that are not good for your dog’s health. Making homemade treats is your next best option to try to extend your dog’s life. He then gets to enjoy delicious healthy snacks while you, the owner, know exactly what’s in it, thereby reducing the risk of your dog getting diet-borne diseases mainly caused by additives.
Added to that, nothing beats the satisfaction of watching your dog wolf down (excuse the pun) his first frozen pumpkin biscuit from your hand. Then, when he’s done, he’d stare back at you as if to say, “Is that all mummy?” Homemade dog treats are fun and super easy to make. Carve them up in bone shapes or in plain square sizes to fit a large or a small dog’s hungry mouth.
The Star Ingredients
It’s a good thing that most of the ingredients needed for this recipe may already be available straight from your cupboard in the kitchen.
Whole Wheat flour
You may want to ask your vet what kind of flour is the best for your dog’s tummy. Although we already know that whole wheat is packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants more than the regular one.
Canned Pumpkin
Choose canned pumpkin puree over pumpkin pie filling because the latter may have many added preservatives like sugar, which could make your dog fat.
Eggs
Large quality eggs are best for the biscuits we are about to make.
Peanut Butter
Store-bought peanut butter is fine, but you might want to ensure it is natural-no added oils. And specifically, no xylitol, as it could be harmful to your dog.
Water
Clean, sparkling regular water will do fine.
Salt
Salt in moderation will tremendously help with the flavor.
Cinnamon
This spice is a versatile component that is both sweet and aromatic. It is a well-known antioxidant and is good for the heart, both in humans and canines.
3 Delicious Recipes for Homemade Dog Treats
Making dog treats at home is as simple as baking cookies, where you get the same anticipation as children waiting for their moms or dads to finish baking. Nothing compares to that sweet pastry aroma of fresh biscuits cooking in the oven. Your dog will know it, and they will be as excited too.
Always remember that adding water will necessitate more baking time. So, the drier the dough, the faster it’ll cook.
Recipe No. 1
Simple Home Made Doggie Treats with Pumpkin and Peanut Butter
(no water)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of regular or whole wheat flour
- 1 cup of natural peanut butter (no preservative and no xylitol)
- 1 cup canned pumpkin/puree
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F
Step 2: Thoroughly mix pumpkin puree and peanut butter.
Step 3″ Gradually add the flour to the mixture and combine well to form a wet dough.
Step 4: Roll out your dough onto a clean surface that is pre-dusted with flour. Knead well to achieve just the right consistency and moisture. After kneading the ball of dough, it should be soft enough but not sticky nor overly dry.
Step 5: Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to a thickness of at least 1/8 of an inch. Then cut it into fun shapes like a dog bone or simple pizza squares using a preshaped cookie cutter.
Step 6: Place on a cookie sheet and put into the oven, then bake it for at least 12-14 minutes.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and allow to cool before giving it to your pooch. Freeze the pumpkin treats when storing them for later use. This is so that your dog may enjoy frozen treats as well as soothe the gums for teething puppies. They’ll surely love it.
Protip: Storage
You may make large batches that you can store in the freezer while keeping your pumpkin dog’s treats in an airtight container or a ziplock bag to prolong their freshness and extend their shelf life.
Recipe No. 2
Doggie Pumpkin Treats with Peanut Butter and Cinnamon
(with water)
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup of canned pumpkin puree
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter
- salt to taste
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of water
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven up to 375F
Step 2: Combine all ingredients in a bowl, including the pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour, peanut butter, eggs, salt, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly to a doughy sticky consistency.
Step 3: Sprinkle flour over a kneading surface of a clean marble kitchen countertop or a baker’s board. Knead the mixture until you achieve the correct dough consistency. It should not be too dry or too wet. Add water as necessary.
Step 4: Use a small rolling pin to press your dough to the recommended thickness of an inch, and use a biscuit cutter of any shape and size appropriate to the size of your dog. You may want to use a cookie-cutter shaped like a dog bone for added fun.
Step 5: Place pre-cut raw treats in preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. Allow the treats to completely cool down before giving them to your dog.
Protip:
If you are looking to keep your doggie homemade treats in an airtight jar outside of your refrigerator, ensure that you bake them to a biscuit consistency or until they are dry and hard.
They can last for about a week or more at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Also, they can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. If you see any sign of mold growth, however small it is, discard them immediately. The more dehydrated the biscuits are the longer their shelf life. Otherwise, you will have to store them in your freezer.
Recipe No. 3
Doggie Pumpkin Treats with Banana
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 banana
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F
Step 2: Mix all ingredients well in a bowl: pumpkin puree, banana, and eggs. Gradually add flour into the mix until it is thoroughly combined with the rest of the ingredients.
Step 3 : Dust your clean kitchen countertop with flour and knead your mixture into it. Roll into a nice moist and well-kneaded dough, and use a rolling pin to roll it out to at least 1/8 inch thick flat dough. Cut it using a biscuit/cookie cutter and shape them into sizes that your dog will enjoy.
Step 4: Lay on a pizza peel or a baking pan, then Insert into the preheated oven and bake for at least 20- 25 minutes.
Step 5 : Once the treats are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool before giving them to your pet.
Pro Tip:
In the beginning, when mixing the ingredients together, you will want to use an electronic mixer since it will be thick. This way, you can quickly achieve that pasty consistency without getting pain in the arms from too much straining. On the other hand, kneading the dough is best done using your bare hands. You can ensure a nice and even doughy texture before rolling them flat and putting them in the oven.
You will also want to lightly grease your baking sheet or use parchment paper to avoid your biscuits cooking into the metal and getting stuck.
Final Thoughts
We find that baking homemade treats is a satisfying activity for our dogs and us. This is especially when their faces light up as we hand them their first piece from a batch of fresh goodies straight from the oven. No worries, they don’t care if it’s perfectly shaped or not. They just know that it is super yummy! Enjoy!
