Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Make for the Perfect Treat
The crisp air and emerging flowers of spring signal the perfect time to get outdoors and have some fun with your furry friends! Whether you’re looking to train a new pup or refresh your seasoned dog’s manners, these spring days offer ideal weather for outdoor bonding. And what better way to reward your dog than with some delicious homemade treats?
These pumpkin-packed goodies are a hit with pups of all sizes. The great thing about them is how customizable they are—you can make tiny treats for your little fur babies or larger ones for the bigger, more enthusiastic snackers. You can even whip up a batch with both sizes if you have a mixed pack like me! Not only are they tasty, but pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse for dogs. Rich in vitamins and excellent for digestion, it’s a treat that’s as good for their health as it is for their taste buds.
These treats also freeze well, staying fresh in the freezer for up to a month. But if your dog prefers their treats at room temperature (and let’s be real, many do), you can store them in an airtight container on the counter for up to two weeks. Just be careful if you have a counter surfer—some pups might find them too tempting to resist, so you might want to stash them away in a cabinet!
One important note: ALWAYS check the ingredients of anything you give your dog for Xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. For more details on this harmful ingredient, be sure to check out our full article, Xylitol – Toxic even in small amounts Stay safe and happy snacking!
Friendly Reminder:
I may know my way around the treat jar, but I’m not a veterinarian! The recipes I share on The Barking Blogger are made with love and good intentions, but every pup is different. If your dog has allergies, a sensitive tummy, or you just want to be extra sure, give your vet a quick woof before trying out a new treat. After all, a happy, healthy pup is the best kind of pup!
Pumpkin & Peanut Butter – The Perfect Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 300F (150C).
- Pulse oats in a food processor until roughly ground.
- Mix pumpkin and peanut butter together and then add ground oats. Stir to combine. The "dough" will be sticky.
- Drop by 1/2 teaspoonful onto parchment paper. Press each treat with a fork in a crisscross pattern. These can also be rolled onto floured surfaces and cut with cookie cutter to make adorable treats. This is the cookie cutter I use for my pack, available at Amazon. https://amzn.to/4ilExOc
- Bake for 25 minutes or until crisp. Let cool on a baking sheet for an hour. Store in an airtight container for a week at room temperature or 2 weeks in the refrigerator. These can also be stored in the freezer in a zipper bag for up to a month.
