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.
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?
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.
(click stars to vote)
Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats (just 3 ingredients!)
Servings: small treats
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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
Mary says
What an easy 1-2-3 treat! My maltipoo, Max absolutely luvs these treats. He has been stubborn eating his Science Diet lately. I have been mixing boiled, mashed sweet potatoes with his food & he has enjoyed that. Been trying to find something healthy to make him without a lot of ingredients. This recipe rocks!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy Maz loved them!!
amy says
I couldn't find where I could write a comment!? Sam, do you think these could be baked in a silicon backing tray? You know the little one that are in say a paw print shape? TIA!
Sam Turnbull says
For sure! The baking time may vary depending on how thick they are.
ADice says
How long will these store in an airtight container?
Sam Turnbull says
About a week or longer in the fridge.
Lynn says
THANK YIU SO MUCH! I have been looking for treats for my fur baby that weren’t full of all the chemicals that are in typical dog treats. I had been spending a fortune on some natural cookies from the pet store. I’m now on my 3rd batch of these and I have created a monster! She loves these and is very vocal and persistent in her requests for them. Around our house they are now known as “Bell’s cookie crack” . I love how easy they are to make and knowing exactly what simple ingredients she’s getting. I cannot think you enough from the bottom of my heart, my bank account, and Bella’s very happy belly!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww you're most welcome, Lynn!! Store bought dog treats are way overpriced. Glad Bell loves them 🙂
Kimberly says
I made these yesterday after I couldn't find a good organic dog treat for my Cushing's dog. She loves them, thanks! I heated up some honey in the microwave for 15 seconds and brushed it on the tops of them. Mine took 30 min to bake. They were a little dry, maybe because I used fresh ground peanut butter, next time I'll increase the pumpkin and peanut butter just a touch. Thank you so much, these were amazingly easy and much better than any store bought treat.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy your pooch enjoyed them!
Amy says
I love these and my dogs (even the picky one) Love these.
What would be the shelf life if you wanted to make a big bunch
Sam Turnbull says
So happy to hear that, If you dry them out thoroughly and store them in an air-tight container they should be good for a few weeks. They will last longer when stored in the freezer 🙂
Hans Vonmackers says
Do you know what the uk measurements would be? In oz or lbs - can’t work out cups over here
Sam Turnbull says
No. Cups and spoons are volume measurements whereas oz and lbs are weight measurements so they are not easily converted. I know a lot of my UK fans have ordered measuring cups and spoons so they didn't have to try and convert. Hope that helps!
Amanda says
My dog LOVES these. Seriously! I want to make him another batch, and the only oats I have are steel-cut -- do you think they'll work?
Sam Turnbull says
I think steel cut are pretty hard and won't absorb the other ingredients too well... my guess is they wouldn't work very well in this recipe. Hope that helps!
Cher says
Recipe was super easy hence the 3 ingredients!! My dog loves these treats! Instead of rolling the dough out of the counter, I rolled it in my palms and flattened it so that it would be easier to break off. They ended up being medallion shaped which worked well for us. We use these treats for training and they're nice and soft. I would def recommend!!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you pup loves them 🙂
Steph says
Super easy to make. I dont feed my dog a vegan diet, he actually eats mostly chicken, beef, and eggs with veggies. He eats a high protien dog food for busy days, But I like an all natural snack and most in stores have too many unknown ingredients, These ingredients are good for him and he absolutely LOVES them.
i have been making them for about a year and a half now.
Thanks
Sam Turnbull says
Glad your pooch enjoys them!
Crystal says
So I gotta ask, why are you feeding your dog an herbivore diet when he is a carnivore? He needs meat. He was even born with teeth that are made for eating it. I've never had a dog with "allergies to animal products" and seems to me like the only dogs that have needs that contradict natural life of a dog...are those fancy breeds that have been selectively bred and/or inbred.
HOWEVER, I am making these for my goats & rabbits who ARE herbivores and will undoubtedly relish these treats and drive me insane for more, so thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Dogs are omnivores, not carnivores and can thrive on a properly balanced vegan diet. In fact, my dog was recommended an allergy friendly dog food by my vet, and when I looked at the ingredients, it was vegan. If she for some reason wasn't doing well on a vegan diet, I would change it, because I would never want to hurt an animal, but she is happy and healthy, vet approved.
Cristin says
My dog actually has a terrible time digesting meat protein. Skin issues and stomach issues. I can not wait to make these for him! Thank you for the recipe. 3 of his favorite foods 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
I hope your pooch loves them!
Felicia Chandler says
t. Please google the long term risks of a vegan diet for dogs. Dogs dietary requirements are different then humans- although sometimes referred to as omnivores they really are carnivores. Their teeth are those of hunters, not chewers like herbivores. They produce little amylase required to digest plants. Many of my dogs have had severe food allergies but in each case I was able to find a meat based protein that they thrived on. . Grain free fish products are usually well tolerated. Dogs descended from wolves and they share 98% of the same DNA. Wolves are carnivores with distinct dietary requirements that cannot be met satisfactory on a vegan diet. Please ask a few other Vets their opinion on this. Vegan dog foods may claim to be properly balanced by adding the supplements dogs require but there is no oversight on the claims of the pet food industry.
Katherine says
Perhaps you should Google the long term benefits of feeding a plant based diet. Because the store bought kibble is so good, and the meat you buy isn’t loaded with antibiotics, growth hormones and other garbage, right?? The bloodwork results my vet gives us prove otherwise, and she supports it. So why do you care what we feed? No one is imposing this on you.
Nicole McCann says
Super easy recipe! I added cinnamon and rolled the dough into little balls 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome!
Lisa says
I made your pumpkin cheesecake (excellent!!) and used the leftover pumpkin to make these for my husband's office dog. His tail won't stop wagging and he's eyeing the container waiting for his next treat!
Sam Turnbull says
Awwww too cute!! Thrilled you enjoyed both recipes so much, Lisa 🙂
Danielle says
So excited to try these! I've been making Cesar Millan's Healthy Pumpkin Balls for my Cavalier that is allergic to chicken (seems like everything for dogs has some form of chicken in it)! The pumpkin balls are great but have SO many ingredients! Bonus: keeps the anal glands clear, as well! Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Sam Turnbull says
It's common for dogs to be allergic or sensitive to many animal proteins. That's why most allergy friendly dog foods are actually vegan! Glad you like the treats 🙂
Christine Hanner says
Can I make these for my cats too? They sound delicious! I almost want to make them for myself! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
I have no idea if your cats will like them or if they are even healthy for cats, so you might want to do a bit of research first. Enjoy! 🙂
Robin G says
These are perfect for training treats! Love the simplicity and purity also! Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Robin. So happy you enjoy them!
Sharon M Fair says
My German shepherd loves these treats but I don't cut them into shapes. I roll the dough out and use a pizza cutter to make nice size treats. Works great and saves time. Thanks for the recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
Great idea! Easy peasy.
shahram says
like to site
Maria Moseley says
Thank you for the recipe! I'll admit, I mostly tried these b/c they have only 3 ingredients. But now, I've tried other, more-complicated recipes, and my dogs do not get as excited. Therefore, I make these. Pretty inexpensive, too, especially if I find organic pumpkin puree on sale or clearance!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy your pups love them so much, Maria 🙂
Natalie Funk says
Can I substitute blueberries instead of pumpkin?
Sam Turnbull says
I suppose if you mash them it could work, but you may have to adjust the other ingredients as needed to reach the right consistency.
Ashlee Teems says
OK I have searched this page up and down with no luck. How much of each ingredient is to be used for a single batch, what temperature do you set the oven to?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Ashlee, I'm not sure why you're having trouble finding it. The full recipe is written out with a printer friendly button and all just below the last picture of my dog sniffing the tray of dog biscuits, and above the nutrition info box.