And now one for the pooches, Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats.
For some reason, it still feels like I just got my dog Chickpea, but I realize now, that I wrote the post introducing her almost 4 months ago! My how time flies when you have an adorable little pooch in your life.
She pretty much instantly became the cutest and bestest little dog ever! I know, I know, you may be thinking that your pooch is the cutest and bestest ever, but that's why dog caregivers are awesome, we all love our dogs the most, no questions asked.
I'm thrilled to update you, that Chickpea is thriving on her vegan diet. Her fur has grown in thick, soft, and shiny (she had some bald spots when I first got her, and those have grown in too). Her coat has even gotten brighter and whiter (I'm not making this stuff up!)
She is bouncing around with energy and is the fastest and most playful dog in the park (for reals). Her eyes which had big tear stains when I first got her have cleared right up. She is so super smart and basically seems to understand what I'm saying at all times. I couldn't be happier! I don't think she could be either, as she is always smiling and wagging her tail at me.
Focus... focus...don't blink or it may disappear....
Chickpea has really been living it up these last four months. She learned how to play with toys (she was scared of the ones that squeaked at first). She has even learned how to play fetch! So sad that she clearly had no one to play with for her first mystery year of life. She follows me everywhere I go, and eagerly watches me while I cook, waiting for food scraps to drop to the floor. Aside from playing with other dogs, squirrel chasing is her favourite outdoor hobby, she even tries to climb the trees! She's a monkey dog, I'm telling you. (Luckily she never catches the squirrels).
She also learned to bark. Yep, for the first 2 months she didn't make a peep, but now proudly has one bark and a short growl at the mailman... before she runs and hides upstairs. Guard dog skills, amIright?
There are some vegan dog treats for purchase in the pet stores, but these Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats are so easy to make and so much cheaper. On top of that, Chickpea goes crazy for the homemade treats. Isn't homemade food always better?
She was seriously losing her mind when I had these on the floor setting up a photoshoot. I'm really not sure how she knew they were for her, but she kept peeking around my light reflectors like this, so very tempted to be a bad dog. Too cute.
To make Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats:
So let's get to making some dog treats for our furry friends!
Begin by adding the oats to a food processor.
Grind them until you reach a fine powder.
Now add the pumpkin and peanut butter.
And blend to combine until you make a sticky dough.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface. I used brown rice flour as Chickpea is sensitive to wheat, but if your dog isn't you can use wheat flour. You could alternatively set aside some of the ground oats to use for this as well.
Use a small cookie cutter, (I used a small bone cookie cutter), but any shape will do, or just use a knife to cut small squares.
Lay them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake until dry and firm.
Once cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They would make a great gift for any of your furry friends! They should keep at least a week at room temperature, two weeks in the fridge, or you can freeze them.
Bon puppategan!
Sam.
Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats (just 3 ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats (old fashioned, 1-minute oats, or instant), , plus more if needed- see instructions
- â…“ cup pure pumpkin, (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300F (150C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the oats to a food processor and grind until they reach a fine powder.
- Add in the pumpkin and peanut butter and blend until a sticky dough is formed.
- Remove from the processor and roll out on a lightly floured surface. (Use whole wheat flour, more ground oats, or another flour that you have on hand). Cut out cookies using a small cookie cutter of any shape, or alternatively just cut into squares with a knife.
- Lay the treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the treats are dry and hard. Let cool before giving to your pup and then store in an airtight container. They should keep at least a week at room temperature, two weeks in the fridge, or you can freeze them.
Notes
Nutrition
Lilly says
Could there be made with sweet potatoes purée instead of pumpkin?
elysia says
I love this recipe, 1 cup oats is only about 90 grams, not 250!
Alicia says
how thick should I roll the dough?
Marylou says
These are so easy to make and every dog that's eaten them LOVES them. I've been making them for several years now for our own dog, Attie. My granddaughter and I make them and put them in holiday bags and deliver them to the neighbors dogs.
Our youngest just got married and they have four dogs between the two of them. I made these cookies and ordered personalized doggie wedding bags with a picture of their dogs on it. I used dog bone cookie cutters, bow ties, high heel shoes, etc. and was able to imprint little messages on the cookies. They were a huge hit!!!!!
I just made a triple batch but I'm going to try to freeze the dough and see what happens. I've only baked them as soon as I mixed it so I'm going to experiment and see if I can actually freeze dough and then use it later. I'll keep you posted.
Billee says
My husband and I just got two puppies. I was a breeder a very long time ago but made treats for my babies back then. I love baking and seen a couple of your treat recipes and I am going to give them a go and see how they do with our fur babies Peaches and Spike. What I do like about these just looking at the how to make them part is that I don't have to worry should my granddaughter who is 4 or the neighborhood little ones who know I keep cookies year round get hold of and eat one as they are all natural and is all foods that can be consumed by humans. I will have to return here and let you know how successful they are with my fur babies.
Susan says
I have made these at least twice before today. Have a batch in the oven right now. My dog loves them and now my boyfriend's dog loves them as well. They are very discriminating but do not turn up their noses at these at all. Usually they go for jerky style treats but they love these at least just as much. Thanks! : )
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
That's great news!
Megan says
I just made a batch of these for our 6-year old rescue pup. They were a huge hit!! I will definitely be making these again!
Thank you!!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Hooray!
Katie Valdetero says
Super easy to make! I made four batches. I have three dogs, and one batch wasn’t enough! But so much fun to make I’ll never buy treats again! Great recipe!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Fantastic! Lucky dogs you have!
Tina says
well maybe I won't try this recipe. thanks for the information!
Gwen says
Great recipe! Super easy to make, rolling out was easy and clean, and instead of cookie cutters, I took a pizza cutter and quickly cut out squares in the raw dough! My dogs love it and clean up is a breeze. For those that had stickier dough, I stirred up my natural PB A LOT so that there wasn't the separation of oil and the dough was not at all sticky. Thanks!
Tina says
going to try making these treats for my dog to save money buying them I'll let you know how they turn out
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
That's a great tip! Pizza roller sounds extra easy!
Jade says
It wasn't the worst dog treat recipe I've used, but I wouldn't recommend it and won't use it again. It was somehow sticky and dry at the same time. It stuck to the rolling pin terribly and cracked apart while being rolled out. It took way more time and effort than the normal recipes I use, but in the end it at least came out ok.