You know it’s fall when the weather gets cooler, the leaves start changing, and pumpkin-flavored treats pop up on menus. Maybe you love a good pumpkin spice latté or smooth pumpkin pie gelato. Well, now it’s time to let your pup get in on the action with these dog-friendly pumpkin recipes.
Pumpkin Recipes Your Dog Will Love
Treat your dog to a few fall nibbles with these pumpkin goodies that make pups smile. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up fall-inspired snacks for your four-legged friend.
This list showcases five pumpkin recipes that are simple to make, yet packed with flavor. Try them all to discover which one is your pup’s favorite.
1. Doggy Pumpkin Ginger Snaps
Source: Taste of Home
These tasty cookies have just the right mix of sweetness, spice, and everything nice for your precious pup. Plus, they’re good for your pooch, too. Ginger has benefits for dogs, like helping ease gas and bloating and working as an anti-inflammatory.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup pumpkin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
Preheat the oven to 275°, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the whole wheat flour and the ginger in a bowl. In your mixer bowl, combine the pumpkin, coconut oil, and egg.
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing until it gets crumbly. Set the mixer to low and slowly add in the water until the dough holds together without getting sticky.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼” thickness. Use cookie cutters to make desired shapes and place the treats two inches apart on the baking sheets.
Bake for roughly two and a half hours, or until the bottoms of the cookies are slightly brown. Allow the treats to cool on a wire rack, then store them in an airtight container.
2. PUP-kin Spice Latte
Source: Cooking with Janica
Your pup will love this canine twist on the classic fall beverage, minus the caffeine, of course.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut or goat milk
- 1 cup canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- Dash ground ginger
- Dash ground cinnamon (Use in moderation. Small amounts of cinnamon are okay for pups, but too much can cause irritation and discomfort.)
Blend all of the ingredients for one minute in a blender. Pour a small amount, depending on your dog’s size, into a cup or bowl to serve your eager latte lover. Store the extra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
3. Pumpkin Ice Cream for Pups
Source: Princess Pinky Girl
Sometimes, the fall weather doesn’t cool down right away, so it’s still a great time to indulge in an ice cream treat. Of course, your fur baby doesn’t care what the temperature is, they’ll lap up this frosty treat any time.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups plain yogurt (make sure yogurt does not contain Xylitol which can be toxic to dogs)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin
- 2 bananas
Blend all of the ingredients together in a blender or food processor until smooth. Pour the mixture into six small containers and freeze for approximately three hours.
Serve this frosty treat in a chilled bowl for an extra-refreshing treat, or spread it onto the Neat-Lik Treat Mat. If you want to add a little mental stimulation to your dog’s snack time, put some pupcream inside the Rolly Cannoli.
4. Pumpkin Pupcakes
Source: If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen
Who doesn’t love cupcakes? Your canine cake lover will adore these delicious baked treats made for them with love.
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (not sugar-free)
- 1 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter (again, make sure it does not contain Xylitol)
- ½ cup canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (we are going to sound like a broken record here, but again, make sure you check for Xylitol in the ingredients)
For the frosting
- ½ cup cold, plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
Preheat the oven to 350°, and grease a muffin tin with olive oil. Whisk the flour, cinnamon, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Next, mix in the pumpkin, peanut butter, carrots, yogurt, maple syrup, and egg.
Portion out the mixture into the muffin tin, bake for 30 to 35 minutes, then let cool completely. For the frosting, mix the ingredients together and use a piping bag to add it to the cooled cupcakes.
5. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Treats
Source: allrecipes
These classic doggy biscuits are infused with fall flavors and sure to make your pup’s tail wag. Spoiler alert: your dog is going to drool.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (you should know the drill by now - no Xylitol)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon water (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350°, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir the flour, eggs, peanut butter, pumpkin, salt, and cinnamon together using a spatula. On a floured surface, work the mixture with your hands. Add the water as needed until the dough comes together without becoming sticky.
Roll out the dough to a ½” thickness, then create ½” bone shapes using a small cookie cutter or cutting by hand. Space the treats out on the baking sheet, and bake for approximately 40 minutes. Allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container.
Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs
Pumpkin doesn’t just taste great, it’s also loaded with benefits for your dog.
- Pumpkin contains vitamins A, E, and C.
- It’s also a good source of potassium, magnesium, and iron.
- Pumpkin is high in fiber, which helps your pup with digestion.
However, as with everything you give your dog, do so in moderation. It’s always possible to have too much of a good thing. If you’re unsure about how much pumpkin is okay for your pet, check with your vet.
Tips for Whipping Up Some Pawesome Pumpkin Recipes for Fido
Of course, when it comes to making dog food or DIY pup treats, ensuring things stay healthy and safe is always a top priority.
- Avoid sugar-free options as many contain Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
- Don’t substitute similar ingredients. For example, pumpkin pie filling contains tons of sugar and may have other ingredients not suitable for your dog. Cinnamon is okay in moderation, but nutmeg is toxic to dogs because of something called Myristicin.
- Make sure to watch the portions. Your dog’s daily treat allowance should be roughly 10% of their daily recommended calories.
- Store DIY treats and goodies appropriately and avoid serving beyond their shelf life.
- Check with your vet if your dog has any special medical conditions or health issues that restrict their diet.
- Serve appropriately sized treats to your dog to avoid a choking hazard.
- Always supervise your pup while they eat their tasty snack.
It’s Time for Pets, Pumpkins, and a Pawesome Fall!
These yummy pumpkin recipes are a great way to spoil your pup and enjoy the fall season. Check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog for more fun ways to celebrate Halloween with your pets, and earn yourself the title of the best pet parent.