Pumpkin Dog Treats: A Tasty Superfood for Your Pup

You know that feeling of arriving home after being gone (for any period of time), and your dog greets you as the most important person in their world?! Tails are wagging and they're ready to let you know how much they appreciate you.

How could we ever repay our loyal companions? One way to show love to other humans is through food, and the same can be said for showing love to your dog via nutritious soft chews or homemade dog treats.

Even better, these peanut butter pumpkin dog treats are as delicious as they are nutritious.

What are pumpkin dog treats?

We know and love pumpkin—it's so versatile, nostalgic, and nutritious. In fact, pumpkin is so versatile that you can use it to make homemade cookies for your furry best friend. Your dog will enjoy the sights and smells (and final product!) of the cookie-making process, and you can rest assured it was homemade with fresh ingredients.

Peanut butter pumpkin dog treats are tasty cookies that include essential micronutrients and fiber for your pup. They're a combination of ingredients you likely already have stocked in your kitchen, ready to bake into treats. If you can mix ingredients in a bowl, you can create pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats!

What are pumpkin dog treats good for?

You can use pumpkin dog treats as training cookies, you can hide them for your dog to seek as a fun game, or you can even add them to the top of your dog's food to give them some extra nutrients and a fun dessert.

These simple homemade dog treats are also a great way to use leftover pumpkin from the holiday season. You can puree it to use in this pumpkin peanut butter dog treat recipe, or you can use store-bought pumpkin puree (without xylitol) any time of the year. Whichever form you use, these delicious cookies are sure to please your pup.

That said, we advise checking with your veterinarian before serving your furry friends any foods that aren't already approved beyond your dog's daily nutrition. Once your veterinarian gives you the okay, these pumpkin peanut butter dog treats can be a fun addition to your doggy's day!

Best pumpkin dog treat recipe

Prep time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
This easy recipe makes about 20 dog cookies, depending on the shape of your cookie cutter.

Ingredients:

2 ⅓ cups oat flour
1 egg
½ cup canned pure pumpkin puree
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tbsp peanut butter

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350F° and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the oat flour, egg, pumpkin puree, applesauce and peanut butter into a firm dough. You can use a food processor or mix the dough by hand.
• Roll out the dough on an oat-floured surface until ¼" thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut the treats into desired shapes.
• Place cookies on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 minutes (until treats are firm).
• Remove from baking sheet and allow to cool fully.

Nutrition facts per serving

Serving size: 1 treat
Calories: 70
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Fat: 2 g

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes.

Tips for success

• If you do not have oat flour, make your own with whole rolled oats (not quick oats). Simply add the oats to a blender or food processor and pulse on high until the oats are processed into a flour.
• If you want to add roasted, unsalted pumpkin seeds to this recipe for extra nutrition, they should also be processed into a powder before adding to the mix.
• Whole wheat flour can be used in place of oat flour, but some avoid whole wheat flour products with their pups. Using oats keeps these peanut butter pumpkin dog treats gluten-free if non-gluten oats are used.
• Make sure you use canned pumpkin-only puree and not canned pumpkin pie mix, which contains spices and other additives.
• Sweet potato can be substituted for pumpkin in these dog biscuits, if desired. You could also use coconut oil in place of peanut butter if your puppy is a coconut oil lover. This is a great recipe to tailor to your puppy's tastes.
• We used a bone-shaped cookie cutter for our treats, but any cookie cutter that achieves a dog-friendly shape is good. (Although we'd be hard-pressed to find a dog that would refuse this treat in any shape or form!)
• Store your cookies in an airtight container for up to five days or in the refrigerator for 10 days. The airtight container will keep the dog biscuits fresh—and keep your dogs from helping themselves.
• These homemade dog treats are freezer-safe and can be stored air-tight for up to six months.

Are pumpkin treats good for dogs?

Made with this recipe, pumpkin treats are great for dogs! The fiber in pumpkin helps support your dog's healthy digestion (especially related to digestive health and comfort). Pumpkin also contains beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins A and C, and potassium—and these nutrients may support healthy eyes, skin and coat, according to the Animal Humane Society. They also promote a healthy immune system. The high-soluble fiber content in pumpkin also benefits healthy weight management.

These homemade dog treats are an easy way to add pumpkin's beneficial nutrients for your dog's digestive and immune systems to your pupper's diet, along with the fiber and tasty goodness of oats and peanut butter.

Are pumpkins considered a superfood?

The definition of a superfood is a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. Pumpkin flesh contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, but what really packs a punch in terms of nutrition are pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are a great addition to a diet, and they can be added to your dog's pumpkin dog treats. Just bake the seeds to toast them, process them in a blender or food processor into a powder, and incorporate them into this pumpkin dog treat recipe. If you use store-bought pumpkin seeds, make sure you get the unsalted kind.

What can you do to support your dog’s skin and coat?

Healthy fur and skin are key to your dog's comfort and well-being. And you can help them achieve that skin and coat health the same way you take care of your own skin and hair health—with some TLC and the right nutrition. This is where a pet care supplement may be able to help.

The new Life Extension® DOG products are designed to keep your doggos Fur-Ever healthy and looking their best.

Skin & Coat is a pure, omega-3 fish oil formula (in a salmon flavor dogs love) designed for skin and coat health and comfort, so your dog spends less time scratching those occasional itches. Omega-3s help keep your fur babies comfortable and promote overall fur and coat health.

It's perfect for dogs with sensitive skin, and designed for dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes, Skin & Coat soft chews help your furry friends get a best-in-show shine, one bite at a time.

References

• Burke A. "Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?" American Kennel Club. April 2022. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-peanut-butter/
• Burke A. "Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea?" American Kennel Club. September 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-pumpkin-help-with-dog-diarrhea/
• Driver S. "How to Make Homemade Dog Treats." American Kennel Club. September 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/homemade-dog-treats-recipes-tips/
• Doyle A. "Pumpkin for Dogs: Health Benefits and Guide." Pumpkin. April 2023. https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/is-pumpkin-good-for-dogs/
• "Is pumpkin safe for dogs and cats?" Animal Humane Society. https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/pumpkin-safe-dogs-and-cats
• "Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs." U.S. Food & Drug Administration. July 2021. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs