Pumpkin Cookies for Dogs

Make pumpkin cookies for your dog with my homemade pumpkin dog treat recipe. Pumpkin is very healthy for dogs and it provides roughage and lots of nutrients, in addition to being yummy.

While you may think of making pumpkin dog cookies in the fall…with canned pumpkin, you can serve this nutritious supplement to your dog, any time of the year.

These pumpkin star cookies are perfect for a number of occasions.

Consider making some during the holidays, around Christmas and New Year’s. Or, why not serve them in the U.S. for your July 4th picnic?

But, there are other occasions to make them as well. Make them for your dog to celebrate his learning a new trick, or for graduating from behavior class.

Or to celebrate your child’s graduation or another special event.

No doubt that you have “stars” in your family who would have fun giving star pumpkin treats to your dog—to honor the family member’s special achievements.

Pumpkin is Healthy for Dogs

Pumpkin dog treats are full of vitamins, especially vitamin A, which gives pumpkin its rich orange color.

And, using pumpkin for dogs is a very healthy choice if your dog is overweight or has a sensitive digestive system! In some cases, veterinarians actually suggest that you give your dog canned pumpkin for diarrhea or constipation. It works to regulate your dog’s system.

So, when you are making special treats for your Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday or other special occasion, why not consider baking a few pumpkin cookies for your dog?

When everyone else is having their holiday dessert, your dog can be munching on homemade pumpkin dog cookies, that are actually good for him.

Of course, these pumpkin treats are great any time of the year. Just pick an interesting shape–your dog will love any shape that you choose!

Ingredients for Pumpkin Dog Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup unbleached flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 2 T. dry milk
• 1 1/2 tsp. dry yeast
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 cup water

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients in your bread machine and set the machine for the dough cycle.
2. When the dough is finished, remove it and roll it into sheets that are 1/4″ thick. I like to use a non-stick rolling pin.
3. Using a star cookie cutter, cut the dough into shapes and place it on a lightly greased cookie sheet or an ungreased silicone pastry mat.
4. Let the cookies rise for about an hour.
5. Bake the dog cookies for an hour at 275-300 degrees F.
6. Turn off the oven, and let the dog cookies continue to dry overnight in the oven. When they are completely done, they will be hard, dry and crisp. If you have a dehydrator, you can finish drying the treats in your dehydrator. The dog treats will be hard for you to break in your hands–and better for your dog’s teeth and gums.
7. You can store these dog cookies for several months at room temperature in a good dog cookie jar Or, for longer storage, you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight food storage container.

If you would like to give the dog treats as a gift, serve them at a dog party or use them as a festive treat, you can decorate them with dog treat icing and sprinkles.

Your stars will be easier to decorate if you use a larger star cookie cutter to make bigger stars. You can always break them in half for a smaller dog.

These little pumpkin dog treats are fun to give your dog, year-round. Keep some on hand for holidays and special occasions, but make some for those special moments that occur spontaneously, on any day of the year.