In our house, my golden retriever, Buster, has an internal clock tuned to the kitchen. He especially knows the sound of a pumpkin can opening—that’s the signal for a “bark-ery” day. Beyond the tail wags, the best part of baking for him is the peace of mind.
Making your own treats means you control the ingredients, avoiding strange fillers or artificial preservatives. It also saves money, as boutique treats are expensive while these recipes use affordable pantry staples.
You can even customize them for your pup’s specific needs. This collection has our four favorites: a classic crunchy biscuit, a 5-minute no-bake ball, a simple 3-ingredient treat, and a special soft-baked chew.
3 Easy Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipes (A Vet-Informed Safety Guide)
In our house, my golden retriever, Buster, has an internal clock that is mysteriously tuned to the kitchen. He knows the sound of the pantry door, but he especially knows the sound of a can of pumpkin being opened and the scrape of a spatula in a peanut butter jar. That, he knows, is the signal for a “bark-ery” day.
Making your own dog treats allows you to:
Control the Ingredients: You know exactly what’s going into your dog’s body—no strange fillers, artificial preservatives, or mystery ingredients.
Save Money: Boutique dog treats can be incredibly expensive. These recipes use simple, affordable pantry staples.
Customize for Your Pup: Does your dog have sensitive teeth? Is another a “super-chewer”? You can adjust the recipe to fit their exact needs.
This resource hub has our four all-time favorite pumpkin treat recipes, designed to fill any need: a classic crunchy biscuit, a 5-minute no-bake ball, a “less-is-more” 3-ingredient treat for sensitive pups, and a special soft-baked chew for my senior friends.
A Critical Veterinary Warning
This recipe is for a supplemental treat only and is not a balanced meal. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. Always consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about ingredients, allergies, or your dog’s specific dietary needs.
What Does the “10% Rule” Really Mean?
You’ll hear this 10% rule from every veterinarian and canine nutritionist, and it’s the single most important rule in pet treating. Major veterinary bodies, including the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), stand by this guideline.
The reason is simple: your dog’s AAFCO-compliant kibble or canned food is 100% nutritionally complete. It has the precise balance of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals your dog needs to thrive. Treats, by contrast, are not nutritionally balanced.
When you give your dog a treat, its calories “displace” the calories they would have gotten from their balanced food. If treats exceed 10% of their daily intake, your dog may not get enough essential nutrients from their main diet, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health problems over time.
Actionable Takeaway: Ask your veterinarian how many calories your specific dog should consume daily. If your 40-pound dog needs 1,000 calories per day, they should get no more than 100 calories from all treats combined.
A Quick Vet-Informed Guide to Safe Treat Ingredients
Before we open the “bark-ery,” let’s establish our E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) pantry rules. Using the wrong ingredients is one of the most common—and dangerous—mistakes a well-meaning owner can make.
1. Pumpkin: The Good vs. The Bad
The Good: 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree. This is what you want. Plain, canned pumpkin is a fantastic, low-calorie source of fiber and vitamins. Vets often recommend it for dogs with mild digestive upset, as the fiber can help with both constipation and diarrhea.
The Bad: Pumpkin Pie Filling. This is a critical, common, and dangerous mistake. Pumpkin pie filling or mix is loaded with sugar, which your dog doesn’t need. More dangerously, it is pre-mixed with spices like nutmeg, which contains the toxin myristicin and is unsafe for dogs.
The Critical Danger: Some “sugar-free” pie fillings may contain the artificial sweetener xylitol to cut calories. As we will cover next, xylitol is extremely toxic and potentially fatal to dogs.
The Rule: Read the ingredient label on the can. It should have one and only one ingredient: “Pumpkin.”
2. Peanut Butter: The One Critical Rule
Dogs love peanut butter, and it’s a high-value treat perfect for baking. However, you must follow one non-negotiable rule: Always read the ingredient label.
The Critical Danger: Xylitol Toxicity. In recent years, some peanut butter brands—especially “sugar-free,” “keto,” or “protein-enhanced” varieties—have begun using the artificial sweetener xylitol. Xylitol is perfectly safe for humans but is lethally toxic to dogs.
What Happens: In a dog’s body, xylitol is absorbed rapidly and triggers a massive, catastrophic release of insulin from the pancreas. This causes a profound drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in as little as 30 minutes, leading to weakness, lack of coordination, seizures, liver failure, and death.
The Rule: Check the ingredient list every time. If it lists “xylitol” or “sugar alcohol,” do not buy it.
3. Flour: Choosing Your Base
Flour acts as the binder for most baked treats. You have several safe options.
“Good” (But Not Great): All-purpose white flour. It’s generally safe for dogs without grain allergies, but it’s highly refined, low in nutrients , and can cause spikes in blood sugar.
“Better”: Whole wheat flour. This is a common choice and a good one, as it retains more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than its white counterpart. (Note: Some dogs can have wheat sensitivities ).
“Best” (Nutrient-Dense & Gluten-Free): We recommend oat flour as the top choice. It’s rich in fiber, gluten-free, and gentle on most dogs’ digestion. You can easily make it at home by pulsing old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender or food processor until it forms a fine powder. Other excellent, nutrient-dense options include almond flour (high in protein) and coconut flour (high in fiber).
The “Bark-ery” Recipe Collection
Now that our pantry is stocked with safe ingredients, let’s get baking!
1. The “Simple-Start” 3-Ingredient Pumpkin-Oat Biscuits
(b) Recipe-Specific Intro: This is the perfect beginner’s recipe. With just three simple, wholesome ingredients , it’s ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or for owners who are new to the “bark-ery” scene. They are naturally gluten-free (if you use oat flour) and pup-approved.
(c) Ingredients:
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
(d) Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the 3 cups of rolled oats to a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse for 1-2 minutes until the oats resemble a coarse flour.
- Add the 1 cup of pumpkin puree and the 2 large eggs to the food processor.
- Pulse until the mixture comes together to form a stiff, slightly sticky dough.
- Lightly dust your work surface with a bit of extra oat flour. Roll the dough out to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the treats are dry and firm to the touch. They will not brown much.
- Let cool completely on a wire rack before storing.
(e) Per-Treat Nutrition Table: (Based on a 30-treat yield)
| Nutrient | Amount (per ~1.5″ treat) | Notes |
| Calories | ~36 kcal | A great low-calorie, high-fiber reward. |
| Protein | ~1.5g | |
| Fat | ~0.7g | |
| Fiber | ~1g | Excellent for digestion! |
Recipe-Specific Fun-Tip: Is your dog allergic to eggs? No problem. You can substitute the 2 eggs with 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce. Note that this will make the treats softer and more perishable.
2. “Fido’s Favorite” 5-Minute No-Bake Pumpkin-PB Balls
(b) Recipe-Specific Intro: No time to bake? No problem. These no-bake treats come together in five minutes and require zero oven time. They are perfect for a quick, high-value reward that dogs go crazy for. A word of caution: they are more calorie-dense, so they’re best for active dogs or as a special-occasion “jackpot” treat.
(c) Ingredients:
- 1 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (XYLITOL-FREE is a must!)
- 2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (quick or old-fashioned both work)
(d) Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the 1 cup of pumpkin puree and ½ cup of peanut butter. Mix well until smooth.
- Add the 2 ½ cups of rolled oats and stir until everything is thoroughly combined. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
- Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
- Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
(e) Per-Treat Nutrition Table: (Based on a 30-treat yield)
| Nutrient | Amount (per 1″ ball) | Notes |
| Calories | ~54 kcal | A high-calorie, high-value treat. Best for active dogs! |
| Protein | ~2.5g | |
| Fat | ~4g |
Recipe-Specific Fun-Tip: For a fun, cooling summer treat, press this mixture into silicone ice cube trays (paw or bone shapes work great!) and store them in the freezer. They make fantastic “pupsicles” for a hot day.
3. “The ‘Senior’s Special’ Soft-Baked Pumpkin-Apple Chews”
(b) Recipe-Specific Intro: Hard, crunchy biscuits can be tough on senior dogs, puppies, or pups with sensitive teeth. This recipe is specifically designed to stay soft and chewy. We use unsweetened applesauce, which, along with the pumpkin, keeps these treats moist and gentle.
(c) Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour (or whole wheat flour)
- ½ cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (no added sugar)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
(d) Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, then add the pumpkin puree and unsweetened applesauce. Stir until well-combined.
- Stir in the oat flour and optional cinnamon until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to ~1/4-inch thickness.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into small, 1-inch squares. This makes them easy to chew. Place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. Do not overbake, as you want them to remain soft. They will not be “crispy.”
- Let cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack.
(e) Per-Treat Nutrition Table: (Based on a 40-treat yield)
| Nutrient | Amount (per 1″ square) | Notes |
| Calories | ~14 kcal | An extra-light, low-calorie treat. Perfect for training! |
| Protein | ~0.5g | |
| Fat | ~0.3g |
Recipe-Specific Fun-Tip: Because these are soft and extra-low-calorie, they are the perfect training treat! You can be more generous during a training session without worrying about upsetting the 10% rule.
How to Store Your Homemade “Bark-ery” Treats
Homemade treats are wonderful because they lack artificial preservatives. This also means they are perishable and require proper storage to prevent mold and spoilage.
The number one rule for all baked treats: You must let them cool completely on a wire rack before storing. Storing them while still warm traps steam, which creates moisture—and moisture is the enemy.
For Baked/Crunchy Treats (Low-Moisture)
- Applies to: Recipe 1 (“Simple-Start”) and Recipe 4 (“Classic Crunch”)
- Counter: Once 100% cool, these can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
- Refrigerator: To extend their life, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
For No-Bake & Soft-Baked Treats (High-Moisture)
- Applies to: Recipe 2 (“No-Bake Balls”) and Recipe 3 (“Senior’s Special”)
- Rule: These are perishable and MUST be stored in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerator: Store them in an airtight container. They will last for 3-5 days. Check for any signs of spoilage before serving.
The “Pro-Prep” Freezer Method (For All Treats)
This is the best and safest way to store any of these treats for the long term.
- How-To: After cooling completely, place the treats in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. You can separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shelf Life: They will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can pull them out one at a time as needed!
Conclusion
Congratulations, you’re officially a “bark-ery” chef! You’re now equipped with four fantastic, pup-approved pumpkin recipes and the critical safety knowledge to treat your dog with confidence.
Whether you’re making the 5-Minute No-Bake Balls for a quick reward or the “Senior’s Special” soft chews for your old friend, you’re giving your dog a treat made with the best ingredient of all: love.
Which recipe from our “bark-ery” menu will you try first? Whip up a batch for your best friend and let us know how they liked them in the comments!
And don’t forget to tag us on Instagram with a picture of your pup enjoying their homemade pumpkin treats. We love to see our furry fans!
