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
- ⅓ 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
Cindy Abeyta says
Can I sub. Almond flour?
Pam says
My dog loves them. I made them as is and they turned out perfect. The first time I rolled them out between parchment paper but second time without and it was just a tad sticky. They freeze great. They make a lot and he gets one a day so each week I just take 7 more out of the freezer!
Wendy Kent says
I am trying these. I make treats all the time and after baking I de hydrate them. They don't go soggy in the freezer and last so much longer.
Tracy McClendon says
How long and what temp do you dehydrate them?
Karen, Koda & Jack says
I have a 2 dogs who get tired of the same cookies. They now stand by the counter that the cookie jar is sitting on, and bark to get a cookie! Not only do they love the cookies, I love how simple and quick they are to bake! Thank you, Sam!
Patricia says
I have been wanting to make dog treats for my fur babies, so I decided to make this recipe today since it is quick, easy, and only takes 3 ingredients! All 3 of my pooches loved them, including my older picky dog ❤️
Yuri says
I’ve made these for many of our friends doggos and they’re a hit 100% of the time. I’ve established myself as the best dog sitter based on these treats alone!! Made them to pass along with human candy during Halloween for doggies that were trick-or-treating with their human family and everyone looooved them! I get approached to thank me for making these and I’ve passed along your recipe countless of times! So simple and delicious, even my husband has snagged a couple to try
Sam Turnbull says
Haha!! Amazing! So happy the dogs love them 🙂
Denise says
My dogs really liked these and so easy to make. However, my 10 year old boxer mix who now has a sensitive tummy left me a pumpkin mess all over my carpet in the morning . She only had a few. What a bummer.
Lynda Fairbrother says
Made these twice, the second time at the direct request of my grand-dogger, Miss Nola Brees. Huge hit with Nola and her doggo friends, Chance and Nova. Super easy to make, and knowing each ingredient is fresh, nutritious, and something I would eat, is icing on the vegan cake...thank you, Sam!
Carmen says
Perfect for my girls and they just LOVE them. I used steel cut oats, natural peanut butter and a cooled and cooked pumpkin I cooked in the Instant Pot. I am GF so I used a small bit of Bob’s GF flour to roll them out. They did take a bit longer to bake firm than the recipe called for but the end result is happiness. Thank you.
Clarissa says
Could I use baked butternut squash instead of pumpkin?
Carmen says
I would think so because it is of the same texture. Just would confirm the pups can have squash.
Tom Hughson says
Is there something missing from this recipe? Not able to get this rolled out at all. Too dry.
Sam Turnbull says
Add a touch more pumpkin or peanut butter until it reaches a better consistency for you 🙂
Amber says
Hello,
About to make these do you know how long they stay fresh? I want to make sure I can make them last. Maybe put them in the freezer after a week?
Thanks so much!
A.