If you’re a dog lover, then you likely already know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The classic Halloween candy is toxic for canines, as are many other sweet treats that might be around your house during one of the spookiest times of the year. Don’t worry, though; Fido doesn’t have to miss out on all of the yummy goodness. There are a bunch of tasty treats that you can make for your cute canine pal to enjoy.
DIY Halloween Dog Treats
These yummy morsels are the perfect Halloween treat for your canine companion; he won’t be able to resist gobbling them up! (Just make sure he doesn’t eat too fast)! Once your pup picks his favorites, hang on to the recipe! You can make some special dog training treats to give your pooch that extra-special push of motivation!
Sweet Treats
Does your pup have a sweet tooth? Try filling his dog bowl with some of these mouth-watering homemade dog treats:
Peanut Butter Pumpkin No-Bake Dog Treats
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 4 tbsp. natural peanut butter (if you use sugar-free, make sure it does not contain Xylitol)
- 8 tbsp. canned pumpkin puree (make sure it is canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. Ginger
- Finely shredded coconut or powdered carob(a dog-friendly chocolate alternative)
Combine coconut flour, peanut butter, pumpkin, cinnamon, and ginger. Roll small amounts of the dough into balls, adding more peanut butter if it is too crumbly. Roll balls through the shredded coconut or carob and serve!
Candy Corn Dog Treats (No actual candy corn included)
- 1 or 2 bananas
- 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
- A silicone ice cube tray (bonus points for one with cute dog shapes like paw prints or bones)
Divide about 1/2 cup of the yogurt (you might not use all of this amount) evenly among the sections of the ice cube trays (making sure they are only about 1/3 full) and place trays in the freezer for about one to two hours. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup yogurt with the canned pumpkin. Once the yogurt has set, pour the yogurt/pumpkin mix on top, leaving room for the final layer. Put the trays back in the freezer for another one to two hours. Mash up the bananas, stir in any remaining yogurt, and place over the pumpkin layer in the ice cube trays. Freeze until set, then serve! (Adapted from Beagles and Bargains)
Pumpkin Spice Latte
- 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
- 1 cup of goat’s milk or coconut milk
- A dash of ground cinnamon
- A dash of ground ginger
- Whipped cream (optional - make sure if you use sugar-free that it does not contain Xylitol)
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender for roughly one minute. Pour into a small pup-friendly cup and top with whipped cream (if desired). Serve to your pup and watch the fun! (Recipe adapted from Cooking with Janica)
Savory Treats
Does your pup go for the savory flavors of chicken or beef more than sweet concoctions? If so, then these DIY dog treats are just the ticket for a Halloween surprise, or as an extra fun find in your pup’s Rolly Cannoli:
Bacon and Carrot Nibbles
- 2 and 1/4 cups of flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup carrots
- 2 pieces bacon, finely chopped
- Halloween cookie cutters
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees. Whisk together the egg and chicken broth in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add finely shredded carrots and bacon bits into the mix. After mixing well, add in the flour and knead into dough. Spread flour across your work surface and roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thick. Use some fun Halloween shaped cookie cutters to cut your dough into different shapes, then lay them out on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for roughly 40 minutes, then cool before serving! (Adapted from food52.com)
Paw-Print Cookies
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup wheat germ
- 1/2 cup brewer’s yeast
- 2 tsp. salt
- 3 tbsp. canola oil
- 1 and 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
Preheat the oven to 400-degrees, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine flour, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, and salt into a large bowl. Put the canola oil in a separate large bowl. Add the flour mixture to the oil in 3 separate additions, alternating with 1 cup of stock. Combine it all together into dough and knead for about two minutes (make sure to flour your work surface before working with the dough).
Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness, then cut into 2-inch rounds using a cutter. Place the circles onto the baking sheets, then make the paw print impressions using your thumb and pinky. Use your thumb to make the large part of the paw, then the tip of your pinky to make the four toes. Freeze for 15 minutes, then bake for 20 minutes. About halfway through baking, brush the cookies with chicken stock and rotate the trays. Turn off the oven and let trays remain in the oven for 40 minutes. Serve to your pup! (Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart Living)
Toxic Treats to Avoid
While there are many ingredients in your kitchen that are more than okay for your pup (can you say peanut butter?), there are also quite a few that can pose some serious health problems. Many foods perfectly fine for human consumption are extremely dangerous for your pooch, causing issues like diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, and even death.
In other situations, some foods that are safe for most dogs, might not be okay for your furry friend if he has certain allergies. Therefore, make sure you know exactly what your pup can and can’t eat. You also want to ensure your pet avoids contaminated, expired, or moldy food.
No matter what specific food items your pup might have a sensitivity or allergy to, you definitely want to avoid these ingredients in your Halloween dog treats:
- Grapes and Raisins
- Onions
- Macadamia Nuts
- Garlic
- Chocolate
- Coffee and Tea (Caffeine)
- Xylitol (an ingredient often found in sugar-free items like gum and candies)
- Grapefruit
- Avocado
- Apple Seeds (and the leaves and stems)
- Almonds
- Fruits with pits (like peaches, cherries, etc.) Avoid the fruit itself and the pit, which aside from being a potential choking hazard, also contains a toxin similar to cyanide.
- Raw dough
- Mushrooms
All of these foods are considered toxic to dogs. Grapes are an especially scary ingredient; they can cause acute renal failure in some dogs within 24 hours. The crazy thing is, some dogs have no issues with them, while in other cases, a large dog could eat a handful and have significant problems. Experts don’t quite yet know what part of the grape is toxic, so keep the whole fruit away from your pup (this goes for raisins, too, which are just dried grapes).
What Should You Do If Your Pup Eats Something Toxic?
If your pup is showing signs of poisoning, or you suspect he may have got a hold of something, call your vet or the Pet Poison Hotline at (855)764-7661. Don’t wait, act fast. In many cases, acting quickly can make all the difference between a problem being a small issue or becoming a massive and heartbreaking catastrophe.
Now that you know what foods will make your pup smile and which ones to kick out of the kitchen, grab your apron and start making some delicious doggy dreams come true! Your dog might get so excited, he’ll get a case of the Zoomies and race around the house! Find more fun resources and helpful tips by checking out the rest of our blog! At NeaterPets, we’re all about making your experience as a pet parent absolutely amazing and fulfilling!
*Before making any DIY recipes for you pup, ensure that you’re not using any ingredients that might be toxic for your dog. Always check ingredient lists thoroughly, and if you are unsure about a certain item, check with your vet or the Pet Poison Hotline.