Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats

Don't leave your pups out of your next celebration! Your dog will love these easy, homemade pumpkin dog treats. They're crunchy little bones packed with pumpkin flavor and juicy chunks of fresh apple, made from just six simple ingredients you probably already have. Woof! (That's dog for "yum"!)

Who's man's (or woman's) best friend? Obviously, your pup. Our dogs have always been part of our family, and every bit as special to us as the human ones.

So with the holiday season coming around, I figured it was only fair to create a special dog-friendly treat. These pumpkin dog treats are sure to be a hit with your favorite canine.

Are Pumpkin Dog Treats Good for Dogs?

Yes! Plain pumpkin is a healthy choice for most dogs. In fact, pumpkin offers several health benefits for dogs, including:

1. Weight management
2. Digestive health
3. Urinary health

Our pumpkin dog treats also contain big chunks of fresh apple, which is another healthy dog-friendly treat. Just make sure to remove the core and all of the seeds. As with any new food, check with your vet first if your dog has allergies, a sensitive stomach, or a special diet.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• All-purpose flour. Unless your dog has a particular allergy or food sensitivity, most types of flour are safe to use for dog treats. I typically use regular all-purpose flour when I bake for my pup. Whole wheat flour works too (add a splash more water), and if you think your dog may be sensitive to gluten, oat flour or a gluten-free baking flour make good swaps. Our guide to gluten-free flours has more ideas.
• Pumpkin puree. Use plain canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree. Never use pumpkin pie filling, which is sweetened and spiced with ingredients (like nutmeg) that aren't good for dogs.
• Apples. Any sweet, crisp apple works. Peel them, cut out the core, remove every seed, and dice them small so the pieces don't tear the dough when you cut out the shapes.
• Egg. The egg binds the dough. To make vegan dog treats, replace it with about ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or mashed ripe banana.
• Baking powder and water. A little baking powder keeps the treats from baking up rock-hard, and the water brings the dough together. Add the water gradually, since pumpkin puree varies in moisture.

How to Make Pumpkin Dog Treats

These pumpkin dog treats are super easy to make, and your dog will love them! You'll need cookie cutters, a large baking sheet, a rolling pin, and something to mix with. Grab a set of dog-bone cookie cutters if you want the classic shape, but I'm confident your pup will eat these no matter what shape you make them!

First, start by gathering up all your ingredients: flour, baking powder, apples, pumpkin puree, an egg, and water.

Now it's time to peel those apples and slice and dice 'em! If you want to cut down your time even more, an apple slicer and corer takes care of the core and seeds in one push.

Once your apples are diced, combine all your ingredients and mix everything together until the mixture is the consistency of cookie dough. You can mix this just fine by hand. I would use a wooden spoon or a spatula because of the big apple chunks.

You'll have a beautiful, orange mixture that looks so yummy, you just might want to eat it yourself. Try to save some for your dog!

Once your dough is ready, sprinkle a bit of flour on a flat surface, roll out your dough, and start cutting out your pumpkin dog treats. If you're making these for Christmas or Thanksgiving, you could even try out some holiday shapes for really festive dog treats.

Make sure to use all the dough! If you have a small amount left over, just roll it out into a circle or rectangle. Your pup won't mind.

Now, pop those pumpkin dog treats into the oven for 30 minutes. Let them cool completely before serving them to your furry friend. How pretty do they look?

Helpful Tips

Dice the apples small. Big chunks of apple make the dough tear when you press the cookie cutter down, and they leave soft, wet pockets in the baked treats. Aim for pieces about the size of a pea so the bones hold their shape.

Adjust the dough as you go. Canned pumpkin and apples both vary in moisture. If the dough is too sticky to roll, work in more flour a tablespoon at a time. If it's dry and crumbly, add water a teaspoon at a time until it holds together like cookie dough.

Roll to an even thickness. About ¼ inch thick is ideal. Treats of the same thickness bake at the same rate, so you won't end up with some bones that are burnt at the edges while others are still soft in the middle.

Bake them crunchier if you like. After 30 minutes the treats are firm with a slightly soft center. For extra-crunchy bones that also keep longer, turn off the oven when they're done and leave them inside with the door cracked for another hour to dry out.

Treat in moderation. These are wholesome, but they're still treats. Break them into smaller pieces for little dogs, and introduce them gradually if your pup isn't used to pumpkin, since too much at once can upset a sensitive tummy.

Variations

• Extra apple. Swap half of the pumpkin puree for unsweetened applesauce and keep the diced apple for a double-apple treat. (If you have apples left over, make yourself a batch of soft and chewy spiced apple rings.)
• Peanut butter. Mix ¼ cup of natural peanut butter into the wet ingredients and cut the water back slightly. Always check the label and choose one made without xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar), which is toxic to dogs.
• Sweet potato. Use mashed, cooked sweet potato in place of the pumpkin puree for a different fall flavor.
• Oat flour. Replace the all-purpose flour with oat flour (or rolled oats blitzed in a blender) for a wheat-free version.
• Carrot. Trade the apple for 1 cup of finely grated carrot for a bit of crunch and color.

Serving Ideas

Your pup is going to think you are the coolest. Use these as a reward during training (break them into small bits so you're not overdoing it), tuck one into a puzzle toy, or hand one over as a special fall snack after a long walk.

You can even give these pumpkin dog treats out as gifts for your friends' dogs for the holidays. Just put them in a clear baggie or a small jar and tie it off with a holiday-themed ribbon! They make a sweet addition to a dog-walker or pet-sitter thank-you gift, too.

Storing & Freezing

Because these treats are made with fresh apple and pumpkin and have no preservatives, let them cool completely, then keep them in an airtight container on the counter for 2 to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Extra-crunchy, fully dried treats will keep a little longer than softer ones.

To freeze, spread the cooled treats on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Some dogs love them straight from the freezer as a cold, crunchy chew on a warm day.

I hope you give these dog treats a try. If you do, leave a comment and a star rating below and tell me what your pup thought!

More Pumpkin Recipes

If you want to get in on pumpkin season too, here are a few of my favorite pumpkin recipes for the humans in the house:

• Crazy Easy One Bowl Pumpkin Bread
• Vegan Pumpkin Cookies
• Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
• Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites
• Easy Vegan Pumpkin Recipes

If you're here planning your holiday menu, don't miss our new Vegan Christmas and Vegan Thanksgiving cookbooks. They're packed with all my favorite holiday-worthy recipes for a plant-based feast.

📖 Recipe