Pumpkin is great for dogs, and so seasonal right now. Its a great natural source of fibre, and can work wonders on an upset stomach.
They are also stuffed full of vitamins and minerals including Potassium, Vitamin C, Zinc and Iron.
Wh not try some of these totally terrifying pumpkin treats, perfect for howloween!
1. PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN GRAIN-FREE DOG TREATS
These tasty grain free treats are great for dogs who have a sensitivity for flour and use a mixture of coconut oil and peanut butter to help make a solid biscuit shape.
Marlynn Schotland | UrbanBlissLife.com
Why not get a spooky cutter to make them into some "howloween" appropriate shapes?
I found a great set of 12 here from amazon
2. Pumpkin Carrot Bites - Holiday Dog Treat Recipe
Ingredients:
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (get the kind that has ONLY pumpkin in it)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1 cup whole wheat flour
Cooking Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Stir pumpkin, egg, carrots and flour in a large bowl until moistened.
Roll the batter into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 30 - 35 minutes.
Source: Pawsitively Pets
3. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Balls
These healthy no bake dog treats contain cinnamon, PB, pumpkin and oats.
According to the creator they are good enough for humans - do you try your dogs treats? Guilty! When I am baking them at home with veggie ingredients I certainly try one of the batch to see how they taste.
Source: Peanut Butter & Peppers
4. Frozen Pumpkin Paws
We have already written a blog on frozen treats, but canned or pureed pumpkin is perfect for freezing into treat sized pieces for your dog.
Super quick and easy to do, just pop in a mould and freeze.
You can make pure pumpkin treats, or layer them up with frozen banana or peanut butter. You can see more of our frozen recipes here.
5. Toasted Pumpkin Seeds - While you should never feed any of your halloween pumpkin to your dog after they have been lurking on your doorstep for a few days, the insides when fresh can provide a wonder of nutrients. The seeds, can be cleaned and roasted to provide a tasty treat for both you and your dog. They omega 3 fatty acids, which have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. They also contain Cucurbitin, an amino acid which acts as a natural de-worming agent.
For a tasty snack that you and your dog can both enjoy, simply spread pumpkin seeds on a cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 160°F to 170°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Sprinkle whole or grind into a powder and add to their normal food for a gourmet twist.
As with any new treat, try a couple to see how their stomach reacts before giving everyday.
For you (not your dog!) you can add a sprinkle of sea salt to boost their flavour.
Source: Animal Wellness Magazine
Not a dab hand in the kitchen? No problem! Our friends over at Harley Bears Coco Bites make amazing coconut oil treats using fresh pumpkin. You can check these out here!