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These pumpkin dog treats are the ones my dog gets ridiculous about. I pull a batch out of the oven, the whole kitchen fills up with warm pumpkin, and he is already parked by the counter waiting for one. He acts like they are the best thing he has ever had.
The thing I like about this dough is how cleanly it holds a shape. The bones come out with sharp edges instead of spreading into blobs the way softer doughs do, so they actually look like the cutter you used. That is what sold me on this version for gifting and for my own dog.
What sets these apart is the applesauce. It keeps the treats moist and adds a little natural sweetness, so they are not loaded down with peanut butter the way a lot of recipes are. You can also make them soft or crunchy depending on what your dog likes best.
One thing before you start: check with your veterinarian before you give your dog any new treat, especially if your dog has allergies, a sensitive stomach, or any health condition. I am sharing what works for my dog, and you know yours best.
MY DOG’S FAVORITE
The Homemade Treat I Feel Good Handing My Dog
I keep making these because I like knowing exactly what goes into every batch. No mystery ingredients, no long list I cannot pronounce, only pumpkin, applesauce, peanut butter, and a few pantry staples. My dog gets a treat he is excited about, and I get to be the one who made it. That trade has kept these in my regular rotation for a long time.
What Goes Into These
- Pumpkin puree: Use plain canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling is loaded with added sugar and spices that are not meant for dogs. Check the label and make sure the only thing in the can is pumpkin.
- Applesauce: This is what makes these treats what they are. It adds the moisture and the little bit of natural sweetness the recipe leans on. Use unsweetened applesauce with no added sugar so there is nothing extra in there.
- Peanut butter: Read the label and make sure it does not contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs even in small amounts. It shows up in some no-sugar-added brands, so check every time. If peanut butter is your dog’s favorite part, my homemade peanut butter dog treats lean all the way into it.
- Egg: The egg binds everything together and holds the shape when you cut the treats. Without it the dough crumbles instead of rolling out clean.
- Baking soda: This helps the treats firm up, but it is optional. If you would rather leave it out, the treats still set up fine without it.
How to Make Pumpkin Dog Treats
Step 1: Heat the Oven and Line the Pan Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. The parchment keeps the treats from sticking so they lift off clean once they are baked.
Step 2: Beat the Wet Ingredients Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the pumpkin puree, applesauce, peanut butter, and egg until smooth. You want it fully combined with no streaks of pumpkin or peanut butter.
Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients Add the whole wheat flour, salt, and baking soda. Beat just until it comes together into a dough. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it a couple of times by hand if it has not fully come together.
Step 4: Roll and Cut Roll the dough out on the floured surface and cut it with a bone-shaped cookie cutter. Space the treats out evenly on the prepared pan so they bake at the same rate.
Step 5: Bake to the Texture You Want Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, until the treats reach the hardness you want. Shorter for softer, longer for crunchier. Let them cool completely before you hand one to your dog.
How to Store Them
Store the cooled treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze well, so you can keep a batch in the freezer for a few months and pull out what you need. I like making a big batch and freezing half so there is always a treat ready to go.
If you want a cold treat for a hot August afternoon, my frozen pupsicles for dogs are an easy one to keep in the freezer alongside these.
More Dog Treats to Make
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
- Mix the dough just until it comes together. Overmixing makes it tough and hard to roll out.
- Bake time sets the texture. Pull them earlier for softer treats, leave them longer for crunchier ones.
- The baking soda is optional. Leave it out if you want and the treats still firm up.
can you make this ahead of time and keep in the fridge
You can absolutely make these pumpkin dog treats ahead of time. They’ll keep well in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. If you’d like to store them longer, you can also freeze them for up to 2–3 months and just thaw a few at a time as needed.
It’s the only treats my dog will eat. We’ve added our own little twist to this recipe but we won’t give her any store bought stuff (not that she’d eat it). We make a huge batch, freeze it and keep a weeks worth in the fridge and thaw as we go.
She is obsessed! And I can feel good knowing what’s it it!
5
My dog loves these!! I chose to make my own oat flour instead of using whole wheat flour as I didn’t have any on hand. I did the roll and slice cookie making method. Super fast and then you don’t have to roll the dough and use a cookie cutter. I will make this again!!
My pup loves these! I have started rolling the dough and use a pizza cutter to make small squares for training and walks. How long will they last frozen?
The dog treats came out great. I didn’t have to add anything. The dough was just right. My dogs love them! Thank you for the recipe.
Needed to add milk and more eggs to this recipe it is very dry and crumbly.
Curious as to why you wouldn’t add more apple sauce or pumpkin instead?
The dough is very dry and crumbly, hard to roll out and stay together. Next time I will add another egg.
Can u tell anyone tell me how many does this recipe makes? TY🙂
It really depends on the size of your cookie cutter
Reva, when I rolled the dough in a log shape I was able to make 36 treats about 1 oz each. I jusst sliced the log with a sharp knife and about 1\2 inch thick.
Easy, natural ingredients and my dog loves them
the dogs all love it! all 8 of them ( not all mine…we share the wealth)
Ernie, Clara, Oliver, Ginger, Libby, Cookie, Havana & Fiona say “Thank You”