Homemade Pumpkin and Oat Dog Cookies Your Pup Will Love
If your dog could text you, the message would probably read: “pls send snacks. urgent.” And honestly, who are we to deny them? These pumpkin and oat dog cookies are the answer. They’re wholesome, super easy to whip up, and—bonus—they make your kitchen smell like fall in a Hallmark movie.
Forget overpriced store-bought biscuits filled with mystery ingredients. These treats use just a handful of pantry staples, come together in minutes, and will have your pup sitting, staying, and possibly learning to vacuum just to earn another bite.
So grab that can of pumpkin, preheat your oven, and let’s make your dog’s day.
Ingredients: Simple, Healthy, and Dog-Approved
The beauty of this recipe is how low-maintenance it is. You don’t need to be a pro baker, and you definitely don’t need to buy $15 “organic Himalayan yak flour” from some trendy pet boutique. Nope. These are pantry-friendly, wallet-friendly, and dog-approved.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup pumpkin purée – plain, unsweetened, and unbothered. Not pumpkin pie mix (unless you want your pup bouncing off the walls from sugar overload).
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats – we’ll get crafty with these by grinding most into oat flour and leaving a bit whole for texture.
- 1 egg – your edible glue stick.
- Optional fun extras:
- 2 tbsp natural peanut butter – the bribe that makes tails wag. Just double-check it’s xylitol-free.
- ½ tsp cinnamon – not essential, but it turns your house into a fall-scented candle factory.
That’s it. Four ingredients, maybe six if you’re feeling fancy. Honestly, this recipe is proof that good things don’t need to be complicated.
Why Pumpkin and Oat Dog Cookies Are Healthy?
Now, you might be wondering—why not just throw random stuff in a bowl and call it a treat? Because not all human food is safe (or useful) for dogs. Here’s why this combo works so well:
- Pumpkin: It’s a superstar. High in fiber for smooth digestion and loaded with. vitamins that keep your pup’s immune system sharp. Bonus: it’s naturally sweet without being sugary.
- Oats: If your dog has a sensitive stomach, oats are a dream. They’re gluten-free, full of soluble fiber, and give the cookies a bit of chew. They’re also more filling than plain flour.
- Egg: Besides holding everything together, eggs add protein and healthy fats. Think shiny coat and happy skin.
- Peanut Butter: Optional, but come on—dogs love peanut butter like we love Netflix. It makes the cookies irresistible.
- Cinnamon: In small amounts, cinnamon is safe for dogs and adds a lovely aroma.
So yes, every ingredient earns its place. These aren’t just treats—they’re functional little bites of health and happiness.
Recipe (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Don’t worry, you don’t need a culinary degree for this. Here’s the game plan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Rookie mistake #1: forgetting this step. Cold oven = sad cookies. - Make oat flour.
Grab 2 cups of rolled oats, toss them in a blender, and pulse until they look like flour but still have a little texture. Not powdery, not chunky—somewhere in between. Leave the last ½ cup of oats whole. - Mix the wet ingredients.
In a bowl, combine pumpkin, egg, and peanut butter. Stir until smooth and thick. It’ll look a bit like orange pudding. Try not to taste it—you’ll be disappointed. - Add the dry stuff.
Stir in your homemade oat flour. Fold in the whole oats for crunch. The dough should feel soft but not sticky. If it’s too wet, sprinkle more oats. Too dry? Add a splash of water. - Shape the cookies.
Roll out the dough about ¼-inch thick. Use cookie cutters for adorable shapes, or keep it simple with squares, circles, or “rustic blobs.” Your dog will eat them either way. - Bake.
Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes. They should be golden on the edges and firm in the middle. - Cool completely.
This part’s non-negotiable. Hot cookies + impatient dog = chaos.
Pro tip: Double the batch. Between taste-testing (yes, you’ll try one) and sharing with dog-parent friends, these disappear faster than you think.
Why This Recipe Rocks
Let’s take a moment to brag about how clever you’ll feel after making these:
- Healthy & wholesome: Nothing artificial, nothing weird. Just food you’d eat yourself.
- Budget-friendly: Dog treats from boutique shops can cost as much as a steak dinner. These? Cheap and cheerful.
- Customizable: Swap pumpkin for sweet potato, add apple, or go savory.
- Pinterest-worthy: Dog-shaped cookies = instant social media clout.
And the best part? Your dog will look at you like you’ve just reinvented snacks.
Optional Add-ins & Variations
Once you’ve nailed the basic recipe, it’s fun to mix things up:
- Sweet Potato Swap: No pumpkin? Mashed sweet potato works beautifully.
- Apple & Cinnamon: Add grated apple for a fruity twist. Dogs love it.
- Savory Treats: Skip the cinnamon and mix in a little low-sodium chicken broth for a “dinner cookie.”
- Carrot Crunch: Add finely grated carrots to sneak in more veggies.
- Coconut Sprinkles: Top with unsweetened shredded coconut for fancy vibes.
Basically, this recipe is like Play-Doh for dog treats—you can customize endlessly.
Storage & Serving Tips
Since these cookies don’t have preservatives, they won’t last forever (but let’s be real, your dog won’t let them sit around long anyway).
- At room temperature: Store in an airtight jar for 7–10 days.
- In the fridge: Keeps up to a month. They’ll soften a little but stay tasty.
- In the freezer: Stash extras for up to 3 months. They thaw quickly, and dogs don’t mind a slightly frosty snack.
Serving size: Think of these as a treat, not dinner. One or two cookies a day is perfect, depending on your pup’s size.
Pumpkin and Oat Dog Cookies FAQ
Can humans eat these?
Yes. Should you? Only if you’re okay with bland granola. Dogs go nuts, but you’ll probably reach for Oreos.
How many can my dog eat per day?
One or two, max. Small pup = smaller pieces. Big dog = maybe two. Keep treats under 10% of daily calories.
Can I make them crunchy or chewy?
Yep! Bake longer for extra crunch, shorter for soft and chewy.
What if I don’t have cookie cutters?
No stress. Use a knife, cup, or just roll and flatten. Rustic is in.
Can I prep the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Refrigerate for up to 48 hours before baking.
Do I need organic pumpkin?
Not unless you’re also wearing a flannel shirt and sipping a $6 latte. Plain canned pumpkin works just fine.
Will these smell amazing while baking?
Absolutely. Guests might think you baked cookies for them. Joke’s on them—it’s all for the dog.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it: pumpkin and oat dog cookies that are healthy, easy, and guaranteed to earn you Best Dog Parent status. They’re quick to make, cheaper than anything at the pet store, and versatile enough to tweak however you like.
Your pup will love you for it, your kitchen will smell heavenly, and your Pinterest board will get a glow-up. Honestly, it’s the easiest win-win you’ll bake all week.
So grab your mixing bowl, whip up a batch, and get ready for some serious tail wags. Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what we’re all after?
Pumpkin and Oat Dog Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (plain, not pie filling)
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats (2 cups ground into flour, ½ cup left whole)
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp natural peanut butter (optional, xylitol-free)
- 2 tbsp natural peanut butter (optional, xylitol-free)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, for aroma)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, for aroma)
Instructions
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for 1 month, or freeze up to 3 months.
- Substitutions: Sweet potato purée works in place of pumpkin. For an egg-free version, use 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water.
- Common mistakes: Don’t use pumpkin pie filling (it contains sugar and spices unsafe for dogs). Always ensure peanut butter is xylitol-free.
- Serving tip: Limit to 1–2 cookies per day, depending on your dog’s size.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24Amount Per Serving: Calories: 40Total Fat: 1.5gCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gProtein: 1.2g