Halloween is a great family holiday and it’s okay for your dog to enjoy it! You don’t have to buy your pet a human candy, you can create some easy home-made candies for them. An easy one to make is peanut butter Halloween dog biscuits, since many dogs love peanut butter.
It takes just a few simple ingredients to create these biscuits. Halloween cookie cutters can also be used to make pumpkins, bones, bats or other fun shapes.
But, not every peanut butter is dog safe. The first and most critical point to note is that the ingredient to be checked is xylitol, an extremely harmful sweetener for dogs.
This guide will help you make the biscuits, select a safe peanut butter and determine how much to feed your dog and where to store them.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
Some dogs can eat peanut butter, as long as it is in small quantities and it’s peanut butter straight out of the jar.
The most dangerous ingredient is xylitol. Peanut butter and other sugar-free items might contain this sweetener.
Don’t feed peanut butter to your dog that contains xylitol.
When making your own doggy treats with peanut butter, always check the ingredients list.
Also, peanut butter with a low or no amount of added sugar and salt is better.
Always introduce peanut butter to your dog in very small quantities.
Easy Peanut Butter Halloween Dog Biscuit Recipe
Uses simple ingredients and does not require sugar.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of chocolate chips or peanut butter bits
1 cup plain pumpkin puree - 1 egg
- 2 cups oat flour
Don’t use pumpkin pie filling; use plain pumpkin puree instead.
You can use oat flour if you don’t have it, simply blend plain oats to a fine powder.
Make a peanut butter Halloween dog biscuit today!
Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Add the Wet Ingredients
Add the wet ingredients to a bowl and stir them together.Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl.
Place the peanut butter, pumpkin puree and egg in a large bowl.
Mix until the ingredients are well combined.
Add the Oat Flour
Add the Oat Flour.Add the Oat Flour.
Gradually add the oat flour.
Combine until soft dough is formed.
Increase oat flour if the dough is still sticky.
Add a little water if it’s too dry.
Roll the Dough
Roll the Dough over your hands.Roll the Dough over the hands.
Move dough to a clean surface.
Roll it to roughly ¼″ thickness.
Avoid making the biscuits too thin as they can be very hard after baking.
Create Halloween Shapes
Create Halloween Shapes: Use your knowledge of shape to design shapes for Halloween.
Make shapes with small cookie cutters.
You can make:
- Pumpkins
- Bones
- Bats
- Ghosts
- Leaves
- Small circles
Be sure the shapes are not too large for your dog.
Bake the Biscuits
Place the biscuits on the baking trays and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes.
Divide the dough into the shape and transfer to the prepared baking tray.
Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Baking time will vary according to the size and thickness of the biscuits.
The biscuits should be cooked right through and be solid.
Let Them Cool
Let them cool while they are still hot.
Take biscuits out of the oven.
Wait until they are cold to give one to your dog.
DO NOT SERVE A HOT biscuit.
Why Add Pumpkin?
Pumpkin is a popular ingredient in homemade dog treats.
It’s made up of dietary fiber and water. Fiber promotes healthy digestive function.
Some dogs, however, may have digestive issues if they consume too much pumpkin.
Serve plain pumpkin puree and stick to small portions.
Pumpkin biscuits are a snack, not your dog’s complete and balanced diet.
Yes, dogs can eat oats.
Dogs are allowed to eat oats.
When properly prepared, plain oats can be good for many dogs.
Oat flour will make good homemade biscuit flour.
Do not pick plain oats that have chocolate, sugar, artificial sweeteners or flavored coatings.
Ask your veterinarian before you add oats to your dog’s diet if you know your dog has a food allergy or a specific diet.
Dogs can eat peanut butter biscuits, but in moderation.
Peanut Butter biscuits are safe for dogs as long as they are consumed in moderation.
This will vary according to the normal diet, the activity level, the health and size and age of the dog
Use 1 small biscuit.
Dogs can eat the ingredients if they do not cause any issues; if they do, avoid giving them as treats.
Remember peanut butter is calorific and fatty! Giving too many treats can contribute to weight gain.
Treats should only be a portion of your dog’s daily calorie count.
If you have a health issue or an overweight dog, consult your veterinarian about suitable treats and amounts.
Are these puppy biscuits safe for puppies?
Puppies may be fed small quantities of plain pumpkin, oats, egg, and appropriate peanut butter, but these are not to be used as primary foods, even though they are good supplements, and should be replaced by complete and balanced puppy food.
Make small biscuits for pups.
Be present to supervise your puppy during feeding time.
If your puppy vomits, diarrhea, itches, swells, weak or has some other peculiar response to a new food, discontinue the use of that food and contact your vet.
Here are some ingredients to steer clear of during Halloween!
Never mix human Halloween candy or dessert with dog biscuits.
Avoid:
- Chocolate
- Cocoa
- Xylitol
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Onion
- Garlic
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Caffeinated drinks
- Excess salt
Wheat is used to make sugar which is produced in large quantities.
Never put chocolate, candy or human frosting on dog biscuits.
Just simple shapes are sufficient to make the treats look festive.
The best way to store homemade dog biscuits is by freezing them.
Biscuits should be stored when they have completely cooled down.
Keep in a clean, airtight container.
Homemade treats typically have less preservatives than commercial treats and can spoil more quickly.
Refrigerate the biscuits as necessary. Extra treats can be frozen in small amounts as well.
Inspect stored biscuit for any mold, unusual smell or texture prior to serving to a person.
Discard any treat that appears to be spoiled.
What to do if your dog eats Xylitol?
Dogs are very susceptible to xylitol.
Call the veterinarian or animal poison service right away if your pooch has consumed peanut butter or any other product that contains xylitol.
Wait for symptoms is not acceptable.
Please take the product package with you to be able to give the ingredients and further information about the product.
If your dog vomits without the vet’s instruction, refrain from making him do it again.
If you need to make the biscuits resemble Halloween, here are some helpful tips:
There’s no need for sugary decorations.
Have fun with the biscuits, using cookie cutters shaped like Halloween!
Variations can be made for other sizes of dogs.
To keep the biscuits simple, bake them plain.
The pumpkin and peanut butter provide the natural color and scent many dogs love to the treats, but that’s not enough.
Final Thoughts
Here’s a quick and easy peanut butter Halloween dog biscuit recipe that will help your dog participate in the celebration. The peanut butter, pumpkin, egg, and oat flour are all plain, without thexylitol.
The key safety measure is the peanut butter label. Do not use a product that has a xylitol content.
Make biscuits small and use them sparingly to give as treats. Keep out of reach of chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, too much sugar, and other unwholesome foods.
Homemade treats should not be used to fill your dog’s entire and balanced diet. For dogs with allergies, sensitive stomach or a medical condition, consult your veterinarian before giving treats.
As long as they are made with safe ingredients, the correct amounts and stored safely, these homemade Halloween biscuits can be a delicious treat for your dog this Halloween.
