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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
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:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In small bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and cinnamon.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin and peanut butter until combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
- Pour onto a floured surface and roll dough out to 1/2 thick. Cut out using cookie cutter.
- 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.
- Place on cooling racks and let cool thoroughly. They will harden as they cool.
For Sweet Potato Treats:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Stir ingredients together in a large bowl until dough forms.
- 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. Bake until golden brown and let cool on a wire rack.
For Apple Carrot Treats:
- Preheat oven 350°F.
- Mix ingredients together until dough forms.
- 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.
- 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.
Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!
I just made the Apple Carrot ones for our dog and he absolutely loves them. How long do they typically stay fresh for?
Stephanie,
I would keep them in an airtight container for about a week, two weeks in the fridge. Since they bake so long they don’t have as much moisture as a normal cookie and should last a little longer.
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay,
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I made the pumpkin / peanut butter and as I was rolling out the dough our two boys (Max & Rusty) kept lightly woofing, something they don’t do even when I’m cooking meat. I baked little gingerbread men shapes and they cooled down wonderfully and have a nice feel / texture. Thanks again as we are trying to save money (With all the pumpkin on sale now) and keep as much stuff homemade. This recipe is really awesome and easy.
Lisa
Lisa,
That’s so nice to hear! I’m happy the treats were such a hit :)! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Lindsay
I want to make these for Christmas gifts for all of my co-workers with dogs but don’t want to wait until last minute to do so. Have you tried freezing them?
Diana,
I haven’t tried freezing them. It might dry them out a little, but I’m sure the pups won’t mind :). Let us know how they freeze if you do so. Thanks for stopping by!
Lindsay
Made these treats multiple times, the amount of pumpkin purée makes the treats mold after a few days. Use less amounts of purée.
Katie,
I haven’t had that problem unless they get really old, but thank you for the tip!
Lindsay
I want to try making homemade treats for my doggie … I like your recipes and want to give them a try. I don’t eat (or buy/cook with) eggs. Is there a substitution I can use?? Or can I just skip it?
Thanks so much!!
Jessica,
I haven’t tried making them without eggs. If you decide to give it a try, maybe add a few more tablespoons of peanut butter to help act as “glue”. Stop back and let us know how they turn out!
Lindsay
You can substitute eggs for yogurt, plain. One Tablespoon = one egg.
I stopped using eggs years ago my son was allergic to anything from a chicken. The yogurt will act just like an egg but healthier for both four legged and two legged!
Margaret,
Thanks so much for your substitution idea! Have a great day!
Lindsay
I am getting ready to make these for my dogs and they are on a grain free diet. You said oats are optional…do I use more flour or just omit the oats and leave the rest of the recipe as is?
Tammie,
Oh, sorry about that! I would add an extra 1/4 cup of grain free flour in place of the 1/2 cup of oats. Thanks for stopping by!
Lindsay
I just made the Peanut Butter Pumpkin treats for our pups and they DEVOURED them! I will try the Sweet Potato one next (our dogs love PB, sweet potato and pumpkin). So glad I came across your website!
We have some happy dogs who will have safe and healthy treats to eat.
Sarah,
That’s awesome to hear! I’m so happy that your pups love the treats! Thank you so much for stopping by and have a fantastic day!
Lindsay
I made the sweet potato dog treats and they turned out really good. I made them a bit smaller and there awesome. The only question i have is how long will they last, they smell awesome and my dog absolutely loves them. I will be making and donating around 2000 of these small dog treats. after a few hours they get nice a dry, kinda rubbery in a GOOD way though. there chewy and everything edleast what i can tell from when my dog eats them. will they last a long time maybe 1 – 2 weeks ? i dont think the rescue will go through 2000 in over a week .
other question the peanut butter pumpkin treats are they suppose to be that moist ? should they be refrigerated or how long will they last outside of refrigerator.
could you try to provide expiration dates just estimated, i wont take your word for it i just want an estimate. thank you so much for the recipes and my little buddy thanks you !!
Nicolas,
If they are still a little rubbery I would try baking them a few more minutes. The treats should last 1-2 weeks in an airtight container. In the fridge they may last a little longer, but since there aren’t any preservatives they will get moldy eventually. It’s wonderful that you are making the rescue the treats! Great job and I’m sure all the pups will thank you!
Lindsay
That estimate goes for all of the treats!
Thanks! My two little boys and I just finished making the pumpkin peanut butter treats. Both boys and doodle love them! :)
Laura,
Great to hear! I’m so happy that everyone is enjoying them! Have a great day!
Lindsay
LOL..Thanks Lindsay for the recipe, I’ve been making the Pumpkin/Peanut Butter cookies for my two. They now sit and watch me make the cookies..they KNOW they are theirs, they get so excited! They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! And I love you for passing these wonderful, healthy and easy to make recipes along, Thanks so much.
Denise,
That’s wonderful to hear! Every time I open a can of pumpkin my dog thinks I’m making them for her too! I’m so happy that your pups love the treats. Thank you for stopping back :)
Lindsay