A healthy, easy homemade dog biscuit recipe for you!
Making dog treats at home is an easy way to provide your dog with a special treat. Simple ingredients that many dogs love make healthy pumpkin dog biscuits easy to make.
Pumpkin is a source of fibre and water, and the other ingredients like oats and egg will help make your biscuit yummy. The best thing is that you can customize the recipe to your tastes.
But homemade biscuits should be treats and not the complete and balanced diet. Dogs also have varying food requirements, so always take into account the age, size, health and normal diet of your dog.
Yes, pumpkin is healthy for dogs.
Most healthy dogs can eat plain pumpkin in small quantities.
Pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber that can help with normal digestion. It also has water, and nutrients like beta-carotene.
Either plain cooked pumpkin or plain canned pumpkin puree may be used. When using canned pumpkin, look at the label, and select brands that are free from added sugar, salt, spices, and other additives.
Don’t use pumpkin pie filling. It’s designed for human use and may contain ingredients that are not appropriate for dogs.
This is a healthy pumpkin dog biscuit recipe.
This is a healthy dog biscuit recipe using pumpkin.
This is an easy recipe that requires few ingredients.
Ingredients
1 cup of regular pumpkin puree for each person.
- 1 egg
- 2 cups oat flour
1 tablespoon peanut butter (xylitol-free), if you want (optional)
Peanut butter is not required. If you use it, read the label of the ingredients on it, and find out it doesn’t contain xylitol.
Oat flour can be prepared by grinding plain oats to a fine powder.
Making pumpkin dog biscuits is a breeze.
Pumpkin dog biscuits are easy to make.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the Pumpkin and Egg.
Mix the Pumpkin and Egg.
Place pumpkin puree and egg in a bowl.
Mix them until they are well combined.
Add peanut butter at this time if using peanut butter.
Add the Oat Flour.
Stir in the Oat Flour.
Add oat flour, little by little, to the mixture, while mixing.
Keep mixing until a soft dough is formed.
If dough is still sticky, add a small amount more oat flour. If it is still too dry, moisten with water.
You can now roll the Dough.
The Dough can now be rolled.
Spread dough on clean work surface.
Roll it out to something like 1/4″ thick.
The biscuits can be cut in a small cookie cutter.
Be sure to make the biscuits small, particularly if you own a small dog.
Step 5: Bake
Arrange biscuits on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Cooking times may vary with size and thickness of biscuits.
The biscuits should be baked evenly and be solid.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Take the biscuits out of the oven, let them cool down completely.
Do not ever give your dog a really hot biscuit.
The treats are ready to serve after they’re cool.
What is the benefit of incorporating pumpkin in Dog Biscuits?
Pumpkin is also a popular ingredient in homemade dog food mainly because it is easy and simple to combine with other ingredients.
Fiber
Pumpkin is rich in fibre and is good for normal digestive function.
Too much fiber, though, can lead to flatulence, diarrhea or stomach cramps. A pumpkin biscuit should still be enjoyed in moderation.
Water
Pumpkin naturally contains water. This can make home-made products moist.
It is important to make sure your dog always has clean drinking water.
Natural Flavor
Pumpkin is also low in calories and sugar, and is gentle on many dogs’ taste buds so it makes homemade treats more palatable.
Why choose Oat Flour?
The oat flour provides structure to the biscuits and a simple base for the recipe.
When fed properly, plain oats can be good for many dogs.
Do not use plain oats that have chocolate, sugar, coated in flavours or artificial sweeteners.
It’s important to seek veterinarian advice before using oats if your dog has any known food allergy, or if you are using an alternative diet.
That said, how many pumpkin biscuits can dogs eat?
So, how many pumpkin biscuits can dogs have?
No single number is right for all dogs.
It is determined according to the size, age, activity level, health and normal diet of your dog.
Use one smaller biscuit as an introduction to the recipe.
Small bits can be used as a treat occasionally, if your dog can take it.
Treats are to be used sparingly as part of your dog’s diet. Giving too many treats can contribute to weight gain.
In the event that your dog is a little heavy or suffers a medical condition, consult your veterinarian to determine if the treat amount is correct.
Yes, puppies can eat pumpkin biscuits as well.
It is best for puppies to have a complete and balanced puppy diet, but small amounts of plain pumpkin can also be given.
Puppe should receive adequate calorie, protein, vitamin and mineral content and other nutrients to promote normal development.
Be extra small and watch puppies when they eat biscuits.
Before feeding homemade treats to your puppy, talk to your veterinarian if your puppy has any health issues, such as diarrhea or vomiting, or any other health concerns.
Ingredients to Avoid
Certain ingredients found in human cookies are harmful to dogs.
Never add:
- Chocolate
- Cocoa
- Xylitol
- Grapes or raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Onion
- Garlic
- Alcohol
- Coffee or caffeine
- Large amounts of salt
- Spicy seasonings
- Excess sugar
Never substitute pumpkin pie filling for pumpkin pureed.
Always read the label of packaged ingredients.
How to Store Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
Allow biscuits to cool completely before storing.
Store in a clean, tightly closed container.
Homemade biscuits may not last as long as commercially made dog treats since they do not have the preservatives found in commercial dog food.
When it is appropriate to them to store them in the refrigerator, or freeze extra biscuits for extended storage.
Check the biscuit for mold, unusual odors or changes in texture before feeding it to your dog. Discard any treat which appears spoiled.
Are these biscuits safe for dogs to eat daily?
Homemade pumpkin biscuits should be considered a treat.
All healthy foods have calories. Giving your dog too many treats can decrease the amount of total food he consumes, or lead to unwanted weight gain.
Complete and balanced nutrition should be the primary diet for your dog.
When considering a major change in your dog’s diet, consult a vet or veterinary nutritionist if you would like to feed a homemade diet.
What if My Dog has a Sensitive Stomach?
Add in new treats gradually.
Do give a very small amount first, and monitor your dog’s reaction.
May contain ingredients to which some dogs are sensitive. Symptoms of a food reaction may be diarrhea, vomiting, itching or skin issues.
Use treats recommended by your veterinarian, if your dog is known to be allergic or has a digestive problem.
Final Thoughts
Plain pumpkin, oat flour and egg make for easy, healthy pumpkin dog biscuits. A little peanut butter (xylitol free) can also be added for additional flavor.
Pumpkin is a source of fiber and can be a good addition to the recipe of a treat from time to time. But homemade biscuits should not be used as a dog’s main food and should be considered as supplements.
Limit the recipe to simple ingredients and dangerous foods like chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic and too much salt.
Use a small biscuit as the initial reward and observe your dog’s reaction, and make sure treats are not too large a part of your dog’s daily meals. Always consult your veterinarian before adding a new homemade treat to your dog’s diet, if your furry friend has allergies, a medical condition, or special dietary requirements.
These biscuits made with safe ingredients, correct portion size and proper food storage can be an easy home made treat for your dog.
