I will admit that this is a recipe that I did not invent. Still, I have to admit that it is good, and popular among the dogs I know. This is the best time of the year to take advantage of pumpkin recipes, for us, for our dogs… But, we vets recommend pumpkin all year long. And, it is available all year long, in the canned, easy to find, cheap form. It is a great source of fiber, and cats are often being prescribed it, and, love it, generally, by the way.
WHY PUMPKIN?
Pumpkin is, again, a good source of fiber, beta carotene, zinc, iron, potassium, and vitamin A. It is a healthy food to incorporate into your dog’s diet. This recipe calls for canned pumpkin, which , as I mentioned, is readily availably. BUT, please do not confuse it with canned pumpkin pie mix. That mix contains spices and other stuff you don’t want in a treat for dogs. You are going for the can that the label specifies: ingredients should only include pumpkin. Here is another example:
Ok it is crooked, but you get the point.
The ingredients on the can label should only include pumpkin.
If you so are motivated, you may also cook and puree the inside flesh of a pumpkin (not the outer skin).
As with any type of food you feed your dog, moderation is key. Treats are not meant to replace a well-balanced diet. These pumpkin biscuits are just a fun way to celebrate our favorite fall fruit!
PUMPKIN BISCUITS
Ingredients:
– 1 cup canned pumpkin
– 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
– 1/3 cup natural applesauce
– 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1 -inch pieces
– 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
– 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
– 1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and set aside.
2. In a food processor, blend the pumpkin, peanut butter, applesauce, and carrots until pureed and smooth. Spoon the mixture into a large bowl.
3. Add the flours and oatmeal to the pumpkin mixture, and mix until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky to handily, add more flour a couple tablespoons at a time. If the dough is too stiff, add water a couple tablespoons at a time.
4. Sprinkle a flat surface – such s as counter or large cutting board- with a little flour, then place the dough on the surface. Flatten the dough into a round disc with a rolling pin or your hands, until the disc is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
5. With a knife, cut the dough disc into triangles, as if you were cutting into a pie. You may make each triangle as large as you choose. Alternatively, you can roll out the dough and use cookie cutter to cut out fun shapes. (But remember, these are dogs we are cooking for. They really don’t care how they look. We do. They care how they eat.)
6. Place the pumpkin cutouts on the prepared baking sheet, and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the treats have hardened.
7. Let cool before serving. Place uneaten treats in an airtight container and refrigerate.
Remember:
Dogs should never eat avocado, chocolate, macadamia nuts, onions, potato leaves and stems, raisins and grapes, and tomato leaves and stems, as these foods are toxic to dogs.
Hope your dog enjoys. Happy Thanksgiving! Or Pumpkin biscuits all year.
This is a picture of my dog, India, heading out to the beach where we celebrate Thanksgiving each year. She wishes you all a Happy Thanksgiving as well!
Dr. Dawn
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