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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!
hi,can i use Plain Wholemeal Flour and use real apple or pumpkin instead of juice?
so there’s no need to add in any unsalted butter?Thanks
I just made the pumpkin-peanut butter treats for my little malti-poo, Baxter. He loves them. Can I freeze them for later use?
How long do these treats last??
Queeny,
The treats should last about 10 days in an airtight container. You can keep them refrigerated to try to extend the shelf life also. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day!
Lindsay
I made the sweet potato ones with grain free flour and my dog LOVES them!! Thanks for the great recipe. They were super easy to make!
Michelle,
You are so welcome! It’s great to hear they were a success! Thank you for stopping in to let us know!
Lindsay
Hi, these are delicious for my dogs! The only issue I had when maki the peanut butter and pumpkin, is they turned out really dry and cracky! I used brown rice flour, but followed the recipe! Any ideas?
Loren,
If the treats are too dry, you can add a little more pumpkin, maybe just a couple tablespoons. The treats should be fairly dry though…so they last for a little while. Thanks so much!
Lindsay
This is so awesome! I have two pitties that have skin and allergy issues and have decided to try homemade treats. These recipes are great cause it’s so hard to find treats without peanut butter, wheat, chicken. I am really excited about the carrot apple ones. Thank you so much!
Cheryl,
You’re so welcome. My dog is very sensitive also, I know how hard it can be to find healthy treats. Thanks for stopping by!
Liindsay
Thanks for the recipe! My Italian Greyhound, Ruby, loves the Peanut Butter and Pumpkin treats (I also added some parsley to help her bad breath).
I will have to try your other recipes another time.
Laura,
Adding Parsley is a great idea! Thanks! I’m so happy that your dog loved the recipes and thanks for stopping by.
Lindsay
These sound and look yummy we want to feed our pup’s a healthy homemade diet so that includes their treats too but recipes are hard to find. I love the fact you suggest a gluten free alternative. Still need to convince my husband to let them have peanut butter. Can’t wait to bake. Thank you
Julieann,
Thanks so much! And, just make sure you use all natural peanut butter that doesn’t have a bunch of additives. In small portions, it is perfectly fine for your pups!
Lindsay
Hi, I’ve tried the sweet potato recipe, however, it seems to be real hard, i could hardly bite off the piece, is that normal? or is it suppose to be this hard? are all dog treats that hard? as it doesnt seem to be this hard when I buy off shelf, please advice, many thanks.
Jovail,
They are supposed to be pretty hard, it helps the treats to stay fresh longer. If you’d like them to be a little softer try baking them a few minutes less or adding a little less flour about 1/4 cup. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay. My dogs love your pumpkin and peanut butter recipe. I was going to try the carrot and apple sauce recipe but have read on another website that baking powder is toxic to dogs (also baking soda) so I am a little hesitant to use it in a recipe. What is your advice on this as it can be so hard to separate fact from fiction when on the net. Many thanks for your time.
Julie,
I haven’t heard that! Honestly, I think that the treats would probably turn out just fine if you’d like to leave it out. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Have a great day!
Lindsay