Easy Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe

Your furry friend deserves treats made with love and care. This pumpkin dog treats recipe creates crunchy, flavorful biscuits that dogs go crazy for. I’ve been making these treats for my own dogs for years, and watching their tails wag when I pull the jar from the cupboard never gets old. These treats use simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Pumpkin offers great health benefits for dogs, including fiber for digestion and vitamins that support their immune system. The best part? You control exactly what goes into each treat, avoiding all those questionable additives found in store-bought options. These biscuits stay fresh for weeks and cost a fraction of commercial treats. Whether you have a tiny terrier or a giant Great Dane, this recipe works perfectly. Making treats at home shows your pet just how much you care.

Reasons to Try This Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe

Dogs Actually Love the Taste The natural sweetness of pumpkin combined with peanut butter creates flavors dogs find irresistible. I’ve tested these on dozens of dogs over the years, from picky eaters to food-motivated pups, and the response stays consistently enthusiastic.

Simple Ingredients You Can Trust Every ingredient serves a purpose and comes from your own pantry. You won’t find mystery powders or artificial preservatives here. Just real food that benefits your dog’s health.

Supports Digestive Health Pumpkin contains soluble fiber that helps regulate digestion in dogs. Veterinarians often recommend pumpkin for dogs with minor stomach issues because it works gently and naturally.

Budget-Friendly One batch costs about the same as a small bag of premium store treats, but you get three times as many. The savings add up quickly, especially if you have multiple dogs.

Perfect Texture These treats bake into satisfyingly crunchy biscuits that help clean your dog’s teeth as they chew. The hardness level works great for dogs of all ages, from young pups to senior dogs.

Where Did Pumpkin Dog Treats Come From?

Dog owners started baking homemade treats in the early 1900s when commercial dog food first appeared. People wanted healthier options than the questionable ingredients used by early manufacturers. Pumpkin became popular in dog treats during the 1980s when veterinarians began recommending it for digestive health. The practice of adding pumpkin to dog food actually comes from a veterinary tradition of using it as a natural remedy for upset stomachs. Home bakers discovered that pumpkin made treats moist and flavorful while adding nutritional benefits. The recipe spread through dog training classes and breed clubs, where owners shared their favorite treat recipes. Today, pumpkin ranks as one of the most popular ingredients in homemade dog treats.

Ingredients Notes

Pure Pumpkin Puree Use plain canned pumpkin or fresh pumpkin you’ve cooked and mashed. Never use pumpkin pie filling, which contains spices and sugar that aren’t good for dogs. I keep several cans in my pantry year-round because dogs benefit from pumpkin in any season.

Whole Wheat Flour This provides structure to the treats and adds fiber. Whole wheat flour creates a heartier texture than white flour. You can substitute oat flour if your dog has wheat sensitivities.

Eggs Eggs bind the ingredients together and add protein. They also help create that perfect crunchy texture after baking. Always use fresh eggs for the best results.

Natural Peanut Butter Choose peanut butter with only peanuts and maybe salt in the ingredients list. Check the label carefully because some brands add xylitol, an artificial sweetener that’s toxic to dogs. I use the kind where the oil separates on top because it contains no additives.

Cinnamon A small amount of cinnamon adds warmth and provides anti-inflammatory benefits. Dogs can safely enjoy cinnamon in moderate amounts. The smell also makes your kitchen wonderful while baking.

How to Make Pumpkin Dog Treats

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients Combine 1 cup of pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, and 1/3 cup of peanut butter in a large mixing bowl. Stir these together until they blend completely and look smooth.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients Pour 2 and 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon into the bowl. Mix everything together until a thick dough forms. The dough should feel firm and slightly sticky.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough Sprinkle flour on your counter or cutting board. Place the dough on the floured surface and roll it out until it reaches about 1/4 inch thickness. Thinner treats get crunchier, while thicker ones stay slightly softer.

Step 5: Cut Out the Treats Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Bone shapes work great, but any cutter works fine. I sometimes use heart shapes for special occasions. Place the cut treats on your prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

Step 6: Bake the Treats Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. The treats should look dry and feel firm when done. For extra crunchy treats, turn off the oven and leave them inside for another 30 minutes.

Step 7: Cool Completely Remove the treats from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Wait until they cool completely before offering one to your dog.

What You Must Know About Pumpkin Dog Treats

Check Peanut Butter Labels Every Time Xylitol kills dogs. Even small amounts cause severe problems. Always read the ingredients list on peanut butter before using it. Brands sometimes change their formulas without warning.

Don’t Overfeed Treats These treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Even healthy treats can cause weight gain if you give too many. I limit my medium-sized dogs to 2-3 treats per day.

Watch for Food Sensitivities Some dogs can’t tolerate wheat or eggs. If your dog shows signs of upset stomach or itching after eating these treats, stop giving them and talk to your vet.

Raw Dough Is Dangerous Keep your dog away while you work. Raw dough expands in the stomach and causes serious problems. Always wash your hands before petting your dog during the baking process.

Baking Time Affects Shelf Life Treats baked longer stay fresh longer because they contain less moisture. If you plan to store treats for several weeks, leave them in the turned-off oven for the extra 30 minutes.

Helpful Tips

Make Multiple Batches This recipe doubles or triples easily. I often make several batches at once and freeze extras for later. Frozen treats last for months.

Use Silicone Molds Silicone treat molds create uniform shapes and eliminate the need for rolling and cutting. They work especially well if you want to make small training treats.

Add a Flavor Boost Mix in a tablespoon of dried parsley for fresh breath or a spoonful of unsweetened applesauce for extra moisture. Both additions make treats even more appealing.

Save the Scraps Roll dough scraps back together and cut more treats instead of baking odd-shaped pieces. This keeps your treats looking professional.

Cool Completely Before Storing Warm treats create condensation in storage containers, which leads to mold. Patience pays off with longer-lasting treats.

Variations and Substitutions

For Wheat-Free Dogs Replace whole wheat flour with oat flour or coconut flour. Coconut flour absorbs more liquid, so you might need less than the recipe calls for. Start with 2 cups and add more if needed.

For Peanut Allergies Substitute sunflower seed butter or almond butter for peanut butter. Both work just as well and taste great to dogs.

Sweet Potato Version Swap pumpkin for mashed sweet potato. Sweet potato offers similar health benefits and creates equally delicious treats.

Banana Addition Mash half a ripe banana and mix it in with the wet ingredients. This adds natural sweetness and extra potassium.

Smaller Training Treats Roll the dough thinner and cut tiny shapes for training purposes. Reduce baking time to 15-20 minutes for these smaller pieces.

Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Dog Treats

Training Rewards Break larger treats into smaller pieces for training sessions. The strong pumpkin smell keeps dogs motivated even when distracted.

Puzzle Toy Stuffing These treats fit perfectly inside puzzle toys and treat-dispensing balls. The crunchy texture makes dogs work harder to get them out.

Special Occasion Gifts Pack treats in a decorative jar with a ribbon for gifts to dog-owning friends. Include the recipe card so they can make their own batch.

After-Walk Rewards Give one treat after walks to create a positive routine. Dogs learn to associate exercise with rewards, making them more eager for walks.

Multiple-Dog Households Give each dog their treat at the same time to prevent jealousy. The treats break cleanly if you need to split one between dogs of different sizes.

Storage

Room Temperature Storage Store completely cooled treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I use glass jars with tight-sealing lids because they prevent moisture from getting in.

Refrigerator Storage Treats last up to 1 month in the refrigerator when stored in a sealed container. Cold treats actually create extra excitement for some dogs during hot weather.

Freezer Storage Freeze treats in freezer bags or containers for up to 6 months. Remove only what you’ll use within two weeks and let them thaw at room temperature. Frozen treats work great for teething puppies.

Signs of Spoilage Throw away treats that smell off, show mold, or feel soft and moist. Fresh treats should stay hard and smell like pumpkin and cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Based on treats cut to approximately 3 inches in size. Nutritional content may vary based on specific ingredients used and treat size.

Easy Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe

This simple pumpkin dog treats recipe creates healthy, crunchy biscuits your dog will love. Made with just 5 ingredients including pumpkin puree and peanut butter. Perfect for training or everyday rewards.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dog treats, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 30 treats

Calories 45 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter xylitol-free
• 2 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour plus extra for rolling
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• Mix pumpkin puree, eggs, and peanut butter in a large bowl until smooth
• Add flour and cinnamon to the wet ingredients and mix until a firm dough forms
• Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness
• Cut treats using cookie cutters and place on prepared baking sheet
• Bake for 25 minutes until treats feel firm and dry
• Optional: Turn off oven and leave treats inside for 30 more minutes for extra crunch
• Cool completely on a wire rack before serving

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