Homemade Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats will have your furry friends drooling! Make them for your own dogs or as gifts from family and friends with pups! This recipe was a top seller at my local Farmer’s Market!
**Dogs can have allergies just like people can. Please talk to your vet and make sure that your dog does not have any allergies or sensitivities to ingredients before making treats at home.**
My dogs love treats. They have us trained to give them one whenever they come in the back door.
Sometimes they go out, then turn around and come back in immediately and they think they have earned a treat. Our treat jar is right by the back door and is usually full. There is also normally a box in the pantry, standing by to refill the jar.
Luckily, homemade dog treats are easy to make with ingredients that most people have at home already!
Dogs like variety as much as people do so I have several recipes ready to feed my zoo. My Cheddar, Apple, & Bacon Dog Treats are a firm favorite!
Ingredients to Make Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
Make sure to check with your vet before making any homemade treats for your dog to avoid allergic reactions or intestinal issues.
- Pumpkin Puree – Make sure that you use 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which has additional sugar and other ingredients.
- Peanut Butter – Check to make sure that your peanut butter does not contain xylitol, as it can be toxic to dogs.
- Eggs – These will help to bind the ingredients together so don’t skip the eggs!
- Whole Wheat Flour – I prefer to use whole wheat flour for the additional health benefits it provides. You can also use all purpose flour or oat flour, if you prefer gluten-free treats.
- Rolled or Old Fashioned Oats – The oats are filling and healthy for dogs. You can grid them up partially if desired.
Is Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs?
Most dogs can eat peanut butter but you should make sure that your peanut butter does not contain xylitol before giving it to your dogs. Xylitol is an additive that is toxic to dogs.
Also, check with your vet to make sure that your dog is not allergic to peanuts!
Are Homemade Dog Treats Healthy?
These dog treats contain very healthy ingredients but just like anything, they should be eaten in moderation. Too much of a good thing is still too much!
Peanut butter contains fat but in moderation is a healthy food with several nutrients, protein, and magnesium. The fat is satiating so helps with the feeling of fullness.
Pumpkin contains nutriants and fiber. It can help to sooth an upset stomach in dogs and people alike.
Oats contain B vitamins and omega-6 fatty acids, both of which help your dog to have a healthy coat and skin.
Substitutions for this Recipe
I made these treats with ingredients that I had in my pantry. I try to always have canned pumpkin all year round, even though it is usually considered to be a fall ingredient. Peanut butter is a given in most pantries. But here are some ideas if you don’t have the base ingredients.
- If you do not have pumpkin puree, you can replace it with the same amount of mashed bananas, mashed sweet potato, pureed butternut squash, or cooked and pureed carrots.
- If you are out of eggs, you can substitute 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for each egg in the recipe.
- Use white flour instead of wheat flour if your dog is not gluten intolerant (although I prefer the additional health benefits of whole wheat).
- Grind up oats to a flour-like consistency in a coffee grinder or blender and use in place of the whole wheat flour for a gluten-free treat.
- Leave the oats out and add an additional 1/2 cup flour if you don’t have oats.
- Mix in other ingredients for additional flavor and to personalize for your dogs. Add things like finely chopped apples, bacon bits, grated carrots, shredded cooked chicken, or shredded cheese. I would limit the amount of mix-ins to 1/2 cup or less.
How to store Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
These Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog treats can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. If you won’t use them up within three days, you should refrigerate or freeze them.
To refrigerate, place in an air tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
To freeze, place in an air tight container and freeze for up to three months. These dog treats freeze very well so I always make very large batches and freeze some!
Watch the video to see how easy these are to make!
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- Bone Cookie Cutter optional, if desired
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie filling
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cups rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/176C.
- In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and eggs until well combined. Add most of the flour (keep 1/2 cup in the bowl – add up to 1/4 cup more as needed, reserve 1/4 cup for flouring during rolling.) Add the oats and stir until combined. The mixture will be stiff.
- Flour your countertop or a board. Dump out the mixture, and knead a couple of times to make a ball. Flour your rolling pin and roll out the dough to desired depth – between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch. Thinner treats will allow you to make more with one batch and will bake faster. Thicker treats take longer to bake and make less. This is totally up to you!
- Cut out shapes with a cooking cutter or biscuit cutter or cut into squares with a knife. Transfer shapes to a lined baking tray.
- Gather up the scraps and re-roll until you have used all of the mixture.
- Bake at 350F/176C for 25 minutes for thinner treats and up to 40 minutes for thicker treats. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet. They will crisp slightly as they cool.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
