PUMPKIN DOG TREAT RECIPE

This pumpkin dog treat recipe contains four simple ingredients that are good for your pup!

IS PUMPKIN GOOD FOR DOGS?

Vets commonly advise owners whose dogs have either constipation or diarrhea to feed them plain canned pumpkin to calm their tummies. It is a good source of fiber and also settles their stomach, and many dogs love the taste, too. Even if your dog isn't having stomach issues, pumpkin is a great and healthy natural ingredient that dogs enjoy

CAN I USE REGULAR FLOUR FOR DOG TREATS?

If you only have regular all-purpose flour, you can certainly use it, but many dog treat recipes call for whole wheat simply because it has a greater nutritional value!

HOW LONG DO PUMPKIN DOG TREATS KEEP FOR?

These treats last in an airtight container in the fridge for a week, or frozen for 3 months. Just set them out on the counter for a few minutes to thaw before feeding them to your pup

Here's what you'll need to make the homemade pumpkin dog treats:

Whole Wheat Flour Whole wheat flour is packed with nutrients for your pup, like fiber, protein, and antioxidants. You can use all-purpose flour in a pinch, but it won't provide as many nutrients.

Eggs Eggs are great for dogs and add protein, fatty acids, and vitamins to their diet.

Canned Pumpkin Make sure you get pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. The pumpkin pie filling can have added ingredients, like sugar, which isn't great for dogs.

Peanut Butter Use natural peanut butter or double check the ingredients and make sure the peanut butter doesn't contain Xylitol, which can be harmful to dogs.

Salt The salt will help the treats' flavor — and it's perfectly safe for dogs in moderation.

Cinnamon Not only does cinnamon give the treats a delicious flavor, but also it can provide some great nutritional benefits (like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and better heart health).

Water This optional step will keep the dog treats together and make it more workable for you.

How to Make Homemade Dog Treats

Making homemade dog treats is just as easy as making cookies for you and your family. In fact, they're prepared in almost the same way.

Simply combine all your ingredients in a bowl or stand mixer. Then transfer the mixture to a work surface and work it with your hands until a dough has formed.

Roll out the dough and either cut it into strips or stamp it with your favorite cookie cutters.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes, until crunchy. Make sure to wait until they are completely cool before giving it to your dog.

Ingredients

Servings 25

• 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

• 2 large eggs

• ½ cup canned pumpkin

• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon water, or more if necessary (Optional)

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

• Step 2Combine flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl; stir with a spatula until combined.

• Step 3Transfer mixture to a work surface and work it with your hands until mixture starts to come together. Add 1 teaspoon water at a time (only if needed) to help make the dough workable, but don't add too much as it should be dry and stiff.

• Step 4Roll the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and transfer to a baking sheet.

• Step 5Bake in the preheated oven until dog treats are golden brown and crunchy, about 40 minutes. Let cool before serving to your dog.