As soon as fall rolls around (or, let’s be real, as soon as September hits)…

…everything is about pumpkins.

Pumpkin décor, lattes and food.

But what about pumpkin dog treats?

Allow your best pal to get in on the cozy fall action with homemade pumpkin dog treats.

Even if you’re reading this and it isn’t fall, canned pumpkin is pretty much always easy to find. And, without added ingredients, it’s really healthy for your dog!

The best part is that all of these recipes only require three ingredients and are super easy to make (the first one doesn’t even require baking!). Even better? Since many require the same ingredients, you probably have the ingredients in your home to make all three!

Three 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Treats

Before we jump into the recipes, we have a few things to mention.

Pumpkin Puree vs. Canned Pumpkin

There’s a difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling or canned pumpkin. Unlike the others, pumpkin puree is pure without any added spice. This is the one you need. Dogs can be allergic to some spices used in some brands and he doesn’t need the added sugar. These recipes are so delicious that he really doesn’t need that extra flavor!

Soy Butter

You can substitute soy butter for peanut butter or any other type of butter you usually give your dog. Since I’m allergic to nuts, I chose soy butter. Unless your dog is allergic or has a sensitivity to soy products, it’s a healthy choice. However, as with any butter, it’s high in fat, so be mindful of how many treats you feed your pup pal.

Use Cookie Cutter or Knife

If you have seasonal or dog-themed cookie cutters, you can use them on these recipes. However, you don’t need them. Simply use a knife to cut the dough into your desired shapes. That can be larger rectangles or small, mini-treat size. The size of your treat will affect the bake time, so be sure to monitor it carefully throughout the cooking time. As always, you can customize the treat size to your dog’s breed. For example, a bigger bread may eat a whole regular-sized pumpkin ball, while it could be an entire meal for a little runt. So, for small breeds, feel free to make them smaller so they’re a snackable size!

Make It Into a Cereal

If your dog has a hard time chewing, you can use this method to soften the treats up. It’s also a great way to add variety to the treat. For example, sometimes my dog loves a crunch treat. But I noticed that when I add liquid to his kibble recently, he gobbles it up. If you want to try this, make treats into small shapes. Then, add the desired amount of treats into a bowl. Add in a bit of water or broth and stir. This is a perfect way to spice up his breakfast!

Storing

You can store all of these treats in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag. If you’re making multiple batches, you can store them in the freezer for months. The first recipe needs to be stored in the fridge.

Doubling Recipes

If you want to make more dog treats, simply double or triple the recipe. I like to keep the batches small so that they stay fresh and since I only have one small dog, he can’t have that many before they go bad. Also, if you keep batches small, you can make all 3 of these treats to see which your dog likes best. Since they all contain similar ingredients, it won’t be too much extra work. But if you want to double or even triple it, you can use this super easy calculator.

#1 Dog Pumpkin Balls

These are so easy that they don’t even need to be baked. Simply mix, mold and store in the fridge. Remember to make the balls an appropriate size for your dog so they don’t swallow it whole. For this recipe, I used steel cut oats because they’re less processed. However, I would make it again with regular rolled oats because they’re easier to process and digest raw. This recipe is so easy to customize to your dog’s size. For smaller pups, keep the balls tiny enough so that it’s a snack rather than a meal.

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Dog Pumpkin Balls

A no-bake pumpkin and soy butter treat for good boys only.

Ingredients

• 1 c. Oats (I used steel cut)
• 1/3 c. Pumpkin puree
• 1/4 c. Soy butter

Instructions

• Grind oats in a food processor (it’s okay if they’re still a bit solid if your dog likes crunch).

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Add in pumpkin puree and soy butter and blend until smooth.
• Use hands to roll into small balls (smaller for smaller dogs). Store in fridge.

#2 Pumpkin Dog Treats

You probably already have all these ingredients in your kitchen. Whip them up in under 5 mins for your dog to enjoy this season. These typically turn out a little puffy which can give your dog some added variety in his texture taste testing.

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Pumpkin Dog Treats

A simple 3-ingredient recipe for dogs who can't get enough pumpkin.

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. Pumpkin puree
• 1 c. Flour
• 1/2 Egg

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In a small bowl, beat egg.
• In a medium bowl, mix half the egg with pumpkin puree.
• Mix in flour. Knead until fully combined and soft.
• Roll into desired thickness (about ½ inch). Use a cookie cutter or use a knife to cut your desired shape.
• Bake for 15-20 mins or until browned.

#3 Soy Butter Pumpkin Dog Cookies

Your dog will be so thankful that you combined these two delicious ingredients for a denser, delicious snack.

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Soy Butter Pumpkin Dog Cookies

A delicious full-body treat made with your dog's favorite: Soy/nut butter.

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. Soy butter
• 1/2 c. Pumpkin puree
• 3/4 to 1 c. Flour

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In a medium bowl, mix soy butter and pumpkin puree.
• Mix in flour just until the dough is no longer sticky (this may require more or less flour).
• Roll into desired thickness (about 1/4 inch). Use a cookie cutter or use a knife to cut your desired shape.
• Bake for 7-10 mins.