Use leftover canned pumpkin to make these 5-ingredient homemade peanut butter and pumpkin dog treats! They’re super easy to make and the perfect fall treat for your furry friend.
Since making these homemade peanut butter dog treats last year I’ve decided that homemade treats are where it’s at. They’re so easy and inexpensive! And although I personally haven’t taste-tested them, I know they taste pretty good because Olive and all her friends gobble them up like they’re going out of style.
Olive’s birthday is coming up next month. She’s turning eight, which is so crazy. I remember the first week we got her. Isaac was living in DC at the time, in a grad program to become Montessori certified and I was caring for an 8 week old puppy, in a new city by myself. It was so hard and very much life consuming, but also the best thing ever.
She’s our baby and naturally, we don’t want her to get older. Hence the reason we always request the puppy cut when she’s groomed. The longer she looks like a puppy the longer we can deny that she’s getting older.
That said, her birthday IS coming up whether we choose to accept it or not so I thought it would be fun to make special fall-themed pumpkin dog treats with pumpkin puree and cinnamon to celebrate. Who says humans are the only ones who can enjoy pumpkiny treats?
Maria and I tested making a pumpkin-based treat without peanut butter, but the batter was really wet and sticky, even with extra flour so we settled on a peanut butter and pumpkin mixture, which worked perfectly. I honestly think dogs will like this flavor combo better than plain pumpkin anyway so it’s probably for the better.
I made some mini ones using a tiny dog bone cookie cutter because they’re the perfect size for Olive and small breeds, but I also I purchased a larger cookie cutter and made some bigger bones for Olive’s friends.
I couldn’t possibly wait until her birthday to give her a sample so she’s already taste-tested a few and loves them.
We shared some of the larger bones with Alyssa’s pups, Chloe and Maverick, and they were big fans as well so I think we can officially say they’re pup-approved!
I know it’s a little early to start thinking about the holiday season, but I wanted to mention that homemade dog treats are a great gift idea. Last year I made a few batches of these peanut butter dog treats and gave them as gifts to my friends and family who have dogs. They look really cute packaged in a mason jar with a label and ribbon. Just a thought if you’re looking for some cute gift ideas!
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PinIngredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup peanut butter*
- 1/4 cup pumpkin
- 1/4 cup vegetable, chicken or beef stock
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Combine flour, peanut butter, pumpkin and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Add stock and stir until well-combined. The dough will be thick. Once combined, use your hands to press the dough into a ball. Place dough ball on a flat service (with a sprinkle of flour if needed) and roll out evenly with a rolling pin. Dough should be about ¼ inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into desired shape and place on ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake for 18+ minutes or until golden brown and hard to the touch. The baking time will vary based on the the size of the treats. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
*Be sure your peanut butter doesn’t contain Xylitol as it is dangerous for pets.
Have you ever made homemade dog treats? What flavors does your pup love? Olive is a huge peanut butter lover, just like her parents. 😉
So I made these with almond milk as I didn’t have any stock on hand and didn’t bother with the cookie cutter (it is Canadian Thanksgiving and I don’t have a lot of kitchen space as a result of making all sorts of goodies and side dishes) and my husband ate them … said that they were “the best cookies I had make in ages”!
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No way?!? ???? Did you tell him they were dog treats?
what kind of dog is Olive?
Hi Beth. She’s a Yorkshire Terrier.
You are so sweet to bake for your pup. Julius is jealous!
My labradoodle would love these! She loves all things peanut butter! I gotta make these for her birthday 🙂
Loved your peanut butter dog treat recipe – can’t wait to try these!
Looking forward to trying this recipe but would you have recommendations for replacing the whole wheat flour with something else? My dog does better when she avoids wheat products.
Love your blog!
Thanks Wendy. You could easily sub the whole wheat flour or oat flour or if you want to go grain-free you could use a mix of almond and coconut flour. Here’s a grain-free dog treat recipe from one of my friends: http://lexiscleankitchen.com/2015/02/06/5-ingredient-grain-free-dog-treats/
I wonder if it tasty for all dogs. I have American Foxhound and I wonder if he likes it? But propably I must try to make this treats.
My little guy can’t have the store bought treat anymore so I’ve been looking for healthy all natural alternatives. I will have to make these for him and I can’t wait! Thank you for sharing this. Pinning! xo
What a great idea to make a Fall dog treat for Olive and her friends! You’re exactly right humans that shouldn’t be the only ones that get to enjoy healthy seasonal treats!!
Olive is adorable! I need to hide your post before my 2 see it! Would love to try making these for them someday.
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Chloe finished their last one this morning. She told me to tell you they’re her favorite treat yet. 😉
Yay!! I’ll have to make more for her birthday. 🙂
hi! my dogs both hate peanut butter so I was wondering if I can just leave it out? I know I could replace with another type of nut butter but do you know how just leaving it out completely would affect the recipe? Also, do these turn out crunchy or chewy? thanks for the great recipes!
What is the shelf life of the biscuits
Thank you
Hello! I would like to make these treats for my dog’s friends too! I was wondering how long til they go bad? Thank you!
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I keep mine in a container in the freezer so they do not spoil. I give them to my Honey straight from the freezer and she loves them. For the dogs that don’t like peanut butter then try using shredded carrots. I do that once in a while for a change.
how many treats does this recipe make using the small cookie cutter? thanks.
Not cookie related, but do you know of a dog friendly icing that hardens on cookies. I know in the States there are products you can buy online but I am in Africa, which means we it will cost me an arm and 2 legs
I already make a peanut butter and oats treat for my Boston Terrier Gidget. She absolutely loves them. I am sure she will love these too. Thanks
How about sweet potatoes for pumpkin?
Sorry…I read it somewhere that cinnamon if given in large quantity can be toxic for dogs few months back. Today I did a new search and I see postings that ground cinnamon is not harmful to dogs…so it is all good.
I read somewhere that cinnamon is not good for dogs. Can anyone confirm that!
OMG! I just tried this recipe ♡♡♡ it is perfect! I needed a quick and simple recipe for a puppy birthday party gift and found your site! Totally loved it! I couldn’t help popping a few into my mouth! The cookies turned out so so good! I will definitely make this again! ♡
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My pup loves them!!! This will be our fall go to treats.
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I added a bit of ginger to my batch. As it helps with anxiety problems, (i.e dogs who can’t handle car rides, or staying home by themselves.)
Can you give these treats to them everyday?
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We don’t give our dog treats daily, but I know plenty of people who do. I don’t think there’s any concern with it but maybe ask your vet!