Homemade Dog Treats

Apples, Cinnamon, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin…these are the flavors of the season. We go crazy for lattes, pie, cookies, candles, everything and anything containing those ingredients or scents. All the while, someone close to you is feeling very left out. Your best friend! Staring at you with those big eyes (I have an expert beggar on my hands), hoping you’ll be kind enough to share a bite.

Don’t leave your dog out when you’re celebrating the tastes of the season! Apples, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are actually all very common ingredients in homemade dog treats. Dogs love these flavors and they are really healthy for your pup. Homemade dog treats are super simple to make and you can easily tailor the recipe for any special diets. So next time you’re in the baking mood, whip up a quick batch of healthy homemade dog treats for your pooch!

Olive was very patient in letting me photograph her before eating these cookies. They are her new favorite treat!

I just know your pooch will love these biscuits as much as Olive did, so don’t let fall pass without baking them up at your house too. They’re also great as hostess gifts for pet-loving pals. Imagine the delight when your friends get to indulge in pumpkin cheesecake trifles and their pooch gets a mason jar full of homemade dog treats!

Homemade Dog Treats

Yield: About 2 dozen small treats

Total Time: 35-40 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30-40 minutes

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

For Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oats (optional if your dog is on a grain free diet, sub an extra 1/4 cup grain free flour)
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten free flour
• 3 tablespoons of all natural peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

For Sweet Potato Treats:

• 1 cup of canned sweet potato (you can sub fresh if you want)
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten free flour
• 1 egg (beaten)

For Apple Carrot Treats:

• 1 cup of whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten free flour
• 1 cup of grated carrots
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce

Directions:

For Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In small bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin and peanut butter until combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
4. Pour onto a floured surface and roll dough out to 1/2 thick. Cut out using cookie cutter.
5. The dough will be a little sticky, a dusting of flour for your hands and the rolling pin will help! Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
6. Place on cooling racks and let cool thoroughly. They will harden as they cool.

For Sweet Potato Treats:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Stir ingredients together in a large bowl until dough forms.
3. Roll dough into small balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Press dough down slightly so the biscuits are about about 1/4 inch thick. Bake until golden brown and let cool on a wire rack.

For Apple Carrot Treats:

1. Preheat oven 350°F.
2. Mix ingredients together until dough forms.
3. Roll dough into small balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Press dough down slightly so the biscuits are about about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Bake until golden brown and let cool on a wire rack.

Notes:

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats:

• These are the treats that are pictured.
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt can be added to these treats to help extend the shelf life but, it is optional.
• Cinnamon is fine to use in recipes for dogs, however do not use a pumpkin spice blend or anything that could contain nutmeg. It is toxic to dogs and even in small amounts can make them sick.

Sweet Potato Treats:

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt can be added to these treats to help extend the shelf life but, it is optional.

For Apple Carrot Treats:

• If the dough is really sticky, add a few more tablespoons of flour.
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt can be added to these treats to help extend the shelf life but, it is optional.

• Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats are adapted from Sweet Pea's Kitchen.
• Sweet Potato Treats are adapted from Brown Eyed Baker.
• Apple Carrot Treats are adapted from For the Love of Pooch.

All images and text ©Lindsay for My Baking Addiction