Amazing Recipes for Your Dog
Pumpkin is a delicious treat for dogs—and there are a lot of great ways to prepare it for them!
Any restaurant, coffee shop, or food blog right now is absolutely covered in pumpkin. Fall is the time of year when we put pumpkin in everything, and the amazing flavors that come from it show exactly why it is so popular. You’ve probably already picked up your first pumpkin spice latte or slice of pumpkin pie, but pumpkin isn’t only a delicious treat for humans. Dogs love it too. This fall season, we wanted to share a few of our favorite recipes from talented doggy chefs around the world!
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Is Pumpkin Safe for Dogs?
Pumpkin is safe for dogs if you are purchasing pure, plain pumpkin. Pumpkin is continuously used for treats and even for medical reasons. You will find that this is one “human” food option that is great for dogs—and a lot of dogs really seem to love it too.
When we say that pumpkin is safe for dogs, know that we aren’t guaranteeing that pumpkin is safe for all dogs. Before you introduce something new to your dog’s diet, it can help to consult your vet first. Certain foods might conflict with medical conditions or medications, so keep that in mind.
Is Pumpkin Healthy for Dogs?
Most vets agree that pumpkin is healthy for dogs if it is in moderation. You don’t want to start giving your dog entire cans of pumpkin or making it a major part of their diet without talking to their vet. Pumpkin can be a great and healthy treat for dogs, but anything can be unhealthy if you overdo it.
If you are respectful with your dog’s pumpkin intake, you will find that they really enjoy it. That’s not even the best part either! Pumpkin comes with a ton of health benefits for pups, which means giving your dog pumpkin isn’t just safe—it is healthy.Pumpkin is an amazing ingredient for pups that struggle with digestion. It is loaded with fiber and can help settle an upset tummy. Though it is fine to use pumpkin as a treat, many pet parents use pumpkin for its many health benefits when it comes to puppy tummies! Pumpkin can help your dog to have more solid poo—and while that might not sound that important, it really is.
In addition to pumpkin being great for pups with upset stomachs, pumpkin is also just good in general. It is loaded with all kinds of essential vitamins that can help your pup to have better nutrition and nutrition absorption too. In general, pumpkin is a huge health booster for dogs if you don’t overdo it. Too much pumpkin can lead to quite a few problems, so be mindful of their intake.
Do Dogs Like Pumpkin?
Just like us humans, dogs tend to have preferences when it comes to food. You have probably noticed that your dog has treats or food that they prefer compared to some other items. This is normal. Though dogs do tend to get excited about being given treats, it doesn’t mean that they will settle for anything. Our furbaby, Willow, is a pumpkin fanatic who always enjoys it as a treat!
It is very common for dogs to enjoy pumpkin—or at least snacks that are made using pumpkin. However, it is important to remember that some dogs just don’t like certain foods. They might not like the smell, taste, or texture of pumpkin. If they do like it, great. If they seem hesitant, give them a chance to warm up to it. If they don’t warm up to it, find them a different healthy snack instead. There are all kinds of good ones!
What Kind of Pumpkin Should I Give My Dog?
Pumpkin can come in a lot of different forms for dogs. While some pet parents decide to just give their pup straight pumpkin, others prefer to give them delicious treats that are made using pumpkin. You can decide what you are most comfortable with from the available options.
When deciding, it is helpful to remember that your dog might have specific preferences when it comes to pumpkin goodies. Some pups might not love plain pumpkin but still thoroughly enjoy pumpkin dog treats. It really all comes down to figuring out what they are most comfortable with. Whatever form of pumpkin your dog likes best is the kind of pumpkin you should give them!
What Kind of Pumpkin Should You Use for Homemade Dog Treat Recipes Made with Pumpkin?
While your dog might enjoy homemade pumpkin dog treats, it is important to know that only some pumpkin is good for dogs. Before you go to your local store and grab the first can of pumpkin that you see, check to see what the ingredients are.
Most of us think that when we see a can of pumpkin, it is just a can of pumpkin. The truth is that this is completely inaccurate. While you can probably eat any of the cans of pumpkin being sold at your local grocery store, the same cannot be said for your canine companion.
Dogs have intolerances to a lot of ingredients that humans enjoy eating on a regular basis—and the wrong kind of pumpkin can expose them to a lot of them. Pumpkin pie filling might look like it is 100% pumpkin, but this is not the case. This type of pumpkin is often filled with sugar and other ingredients that are more likely to upset your dog’s stomach than help it. Before you make a purchase, always make sure that you are purchasing 100% pure pumpkin with no other ingredients.
Are There Healthy Pumpkin Dog Treats?
More pet parents are taking a closer look at the products that they are giving their pups. We think that this is a really great thing and can help pet parents to be well-informed when making decisions regarding their pet’s health.
With so many pumpkin dog treats on the market, it can be difficult to know what is good for your pet and what is going to cause them health problems. As nice as it would be if all the available products were good, the truth is that this isn’t the case. Some products are not good for dogs for various reasons.
Pumpkin dog treats that are not good for dogs can have a lot of different things wrong with them. They might be high in calories, which can cause problems if you incorporate them into your dog’s diet regularly. A few of the other problems aren’t as obvious. Some products are made with some questionable ingredients or just have no real nutritional value for pets. The result is a pup that will keep you up all night going to the bathroom.
The best thing that you can do for your pet when choosing health products is to ask yourself where they are coming from and what is in them. Looking at the ingredients of any pet product before you buy it can be very telling. Don’t hesitate to conduct an online search to better understand these ingredients. You will find that some are terrible for your pet.
There are good pumpkin dog treats available in the market, but you must find them. This means looking for short ingredient lists that you understand and picking products that have good reviews too. Doing research before buying new treats for your dog can save you headaches and heartaches—and can save your furbaby stomachaches too.
If you really want to make sure that the pumpkin dog treats that you are giving your dog are good for them, the best way is simply to make your own. Homemade dog treat recipes made with pumpkin can be quite a bit healthier than their store-bought alternatives. You can make treats with love and all kinds of good ingredients that you know are safe for your dog!
5 Pumpkin Treats Your Dog Will Obsess Over
There is no better time to give your pup pumpkin dog treats than when Halloween rolls around. You can carve up a few jack-o-lanterns yourself or at least buy them pre-carved in the form of canned pumpkin. We started with 3 easy pumpkin recipes for dogs and decided to add a couple more! With these easy DIY Halloween-friendly dog treat recipes, you can make sure that your dog enjoys pumpkin season safely every year.
1. Dog-Friendly Pumpkin Soft Breads
While some dogs love a good crunch, others prefer a soft and tasty treat instead. This recipe can be fantastic for aging dogs who are well past the chewing phase, allowing them to enjoy something delicious without putting too much strain on their teeth.
Soft breads or soft dog treats are a great option for adult dogs. Koti Beth was kind enough to put together this incredible recipe for grain-free pumpkin and peanut butter soft treats. Don’t be surprised when your furbaby goes wild for these goodies!
2. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats
Sometimes you just want to make something delicious and easy for your pet. With this recipe from allrecipes, you can do exactly that. Make your own simple and flavor-packed peanut butter and pumpkin dog biscuits for the lucky canine in your life. This is a quick way to give your dog something delicious without trying anything too wild!
3. Fluffalicious Pumpkin Ice Cream
The average person loves ice cream or some kind of equivalent of it. Sure, you might prefer frozen yogurt or custard, but at the end of the day, it is all frozen and delicious treats that are bursting with flavor.
Guess what? Dogs love ice cream too.
It isn’t new that pet parents are giving their pups dog-friendly ice cream. There are tons of recipes online when it comes to making ice cream for dogs with a surprising number of flavor options. On that list? Pumpkin ice cream for dogs With this 3-ingredient recipe by Princess Pinky Girl, you can make frozen treats that your pup will love.
4. Quick and Easy Pumpkin Dog Treats
Making dog treats for your pup can be a lot of fun, but some of those recipes are complicated. If you are looking to give your dog some delicious pumpkin dog treats without having to play the role of a 5-star gourmet doggy chef, this simple 3-ingredient recipe by Garden Therapy is perfect for you.
These pumpkin treats only require a few basic ingredients, but don’t worry, they are amazing. Your dog will not care how few ingredients went into making them. They will just be excited to enjoy a delicious, homemade treat.
You can make these dog treats so fast that you will almost match just how fast your pup gobbles them up. With tasty pumpkin and protein-packed eggs, this is a great option for dogs. Fewer ingredients are something that doggy tummies really love!
5. Furry and Fancy Pumpkin Purée
Over at Pawsome Recipes, where they specialize in making delicious treats for pets, they know a thing or two about what makes a good pumpkin dog treat. Their pumpkin purée for dogs is easy to make and can store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Making pumpkin purée for your dog is a wonderful idea because of just how versatile it is. You can give your dog straight pumpkin as a treat. You can put it in their dog food. You can use it to cook other dog treats, or even to fit more nutrients into another recipe. At the end of the day, this is one recipe that really works for about 10,000 other recipes. Knowing how to make it can open you up to a whole world of pumpkin-based goodies for your pup.
The Takeaway
Adorable
PUMPKIN COLLAR
Fantastic and functional costume that'll help prevent you pup from scratching and biting at injuries, surgical sites, stitches, rashes, and wounds.
This year, make sure that you are not the only one celebrating pumpkin season. In addition to amazing pumpkin treats, you can get your pumpkin-loving canine a Pumpkin Dog Collar Costume to match! You can share the love of pumpkin’s amazing natural flavor with your favorite canine companion. If you don’t like a recipe that you see here, hop online, and look for more. There are a ton of them available!
Until next time, thank you for reading!
About the author: Gabrielle is the loving pawrent to adorable pups Willow and Dilla. Growing up surrounded by dogs, she always dreamt of having her own. Willow and Dilla came into her life and changed everything. Now, she's crazy about pampered pooches, and her perfect day involves dancing with her husband, dressing up her furbabies, and cuddling them to sleep. For Gabrielle, life is all about spreading love and joy with her adorable canine companions by her side.
