Our easy Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats recipe has over 100 five-star reviews for a reason, earning thousands of wags from thankful pups! Dogs love these crunchy cookies, with their irresistible pumpkin and peanut butter flavor, and pet parents approve of their wholesome, doggie-digestible ingredients.
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
Our easy Pumpkin Dog Treats are packed with healthy, nutrient-dense people-food you can feel good about feeding your furry friends. When you make your own homemade treats, you know exactly what you’re feeding your pet – there are no nitrates, harmful additives, or toxic chemicals – it’s pure, wholesome human food that’s fit for canine consumption.
Dogs are part of the family, after all, and deserve a dessert that’s both delicious and nutritious. These pumpkin treats for dogs are naturally sweet and packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals; plus you can cater your dog treat recipes according to their specific dietary needs and desires.
Nothing says I love you more than spoiling your pet with pumpkin dog cookies made from scratch. So skip the store-bought biscuits and let your little helpers have fun creating the doggie dough; it’s easy to work with and won’t stick to their hands as they flatten it and cut it with their favorite cookie cutters.
This pumpkin peanut butter dog treats recipe does double duty as a DIY, inexpensive alternative to processed pet food products. It provides your dog with a pup-safe snack that you can even share! It’s perfectly portable for doggie playdates and puppy parties, too!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember to consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new treats into your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has specific health conditions or dietary restrictions. I recommend giving them a small bite to test before using them regularly.
Important Ingredients Notes
- Pumpkin puree: Make sure that the pumpkin does not have pumpkin pie spice. Do not use pumpkin pie filling as it has added spices. The pumpkin puree should have no added ingredients, just pumpkin.
- Applesauce: You can use homemade applesauce or store bought.
- Peanut butter: Do not use any peanut butter that contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. The majority of common peanut butter brands do not contain xylitol, but check your label to make sure. You can use any non-natural peanut butter or natural peanut butter, but DO NOT substitute almond butter or any other nut butter, as most nuts are toxic to dogs.
- Egg: The egg will help bind the biscuits, so do not omit it.
- Whole wheat flour: This recipe also works with all-purpose flour, brown rice flour, and grain-free or gluten-free flour.
- Salt
- Baking soda: If you have concerns about using baking soda, you can omit it. The treats will still firm up without it. A dog can safely consume 5 to 11 tsp per pound of body weight; we use 1/4 teaspoon for the entire recipe.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please consult your vet before feeding your pet anything new!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Create The Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, peanut butter, and egg. Mix in the flour, salt, and baking soda until just combined.
- Cut Out The Cookies: Take the mixture and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it’s ½ inch thick. Using a small cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve: Cool before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Sub With Squash: Defrosted frozen butternut squash can substitute for canned pumpkin if you want to try a different flavored dog treat.
- For Sensitive Stomachs: If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, you can use sorghum, oat flour, rice, or garbanzo bean flour.
- Bake the Dog Bones: The cooking time for these peanut butter dog bones depends on how soft or crunchy you would like the treats and how large your cookie cutter is. If you want crunchier cookies, you can bake them longer than I’ve suggested. I like to bake three different sizes of treats at the same time and temperature so that I have a variety of crispy and soft treats, depending on what I would like to feed my dog at the time.
- Tasty Toppings: Feel free to decorate your dog cookies with your pup’s favorite toppings. Sprinkle on some kibble or cinnamon, add a scoop of Pumpkin Dog Ice Cream, or cover your cookies with dog-safe frosting, like my Dog Birthday Cookies.
- Custom Cut-Outs: You can make dog treats all year and create your own shapes and custom cut-outs. Any cookie cutter will work! I used these I have used both this set and these bone shaped cookie Cookie cutters for this recipe but this Paw Cookie Cutter, Birthday Cake and Birthday Hat Cookie Cutter, and Dog Bone Cookie Cutter will also look cute.
Proper Storage
Place these dog treats in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. If desired, you can also freeze them for a few months.
Can my dog eat all of these ingredients?
Yes. All of the ingredients in homemade dog treats are totally safe for your pet. However, remember to consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new treats into your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has specific health conditions or dietary restrictions. Here’s a breakdown.
- Canned pumpkin is great for dogs because it has a high concentration of fiber, which is great for doggie digestion. However, don’t overdo it; too much pumpkin can cause an upset stomach.
- Eggs are a good source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, they should be fully cooked to avoid the risk of salmonella or biotin deficiency.
- Apple sauce is rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C and has many health benefits for dogs.
- Dogs love peanut butter, and they can eat it if it does not contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. You do want to be careful not to give your dog too much peanut butter, as it has a high-fat content.
- Whole wheat flour is safe for dogs unless they have a specific wheat allergy or sensitivity. It’s nutrient-rich and full of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight by promoting a feeling of fullness.
More Dog-Friendly Recipes
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Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare a sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using a stand or hand mixer, beat together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, peanut butter, and egg.½ cup pumpkin puree, ¼ cup applesauce, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 egg
- Mix in the whole wheat flour, salt, and baking soda. Beat until just combined and then roll out dough on a floured surface. Knead the dough together if it hasn’t come together all the way.2 cups whole wheat flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Cut the cookies using a bone-shaped cookie cutter and evenly spread them out on the prepared sheet pan.
- Bake in the oven for 15-25 minutes, until they reach your desired level of hardness.
- Let the treats cool completely before serving to your favorite four legged person.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Place these in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- To Freeze: dog treats can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for a few months.
- Make sure you give your dog only pureed pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, which has added sugars and spices. As with any treat, give your dog these snacks in moderation.
- Make sure your peanut butter does not have any xylitol, a sweetener found in some brands, because it is toxic to dogs.
- If you want crunchier cookies, you can bake them longer.
Can’t wait to try it
Easy to make and the pups love them.
Is there anything that can be substituted for the peanut butter ? My dog is allergic to it
“Four legged person “??? *dog
What is the shelf life for the dog treats?
Hi. I have wheat bran instead of whole wheat flour. Have you ever tried it with that? Would love to substitute it.
I haven’t tried that – sorry!
Can I use all purpose flour?
You can use all purpose flour, but some dogs may be sensitive to the gluten in regular flour.
How about almond flour?
Ann please don’t use almond flour. Almonds are toxic to dogs and will poison your pooch.
I have made these twice now for my two small chihuahuas. They are very picky eaters but they love these.
Can you use pure pumpkin instead of pumpkin puree?
Yes, it is basically the same thing. Just don’t use canned Pumpkin Pie
I have a dog treat maker machine. The recipes are usually more like batter. Do you think I could use this recipe for the machine