How to make Pumpkin Turmeric Dog Treats
Pumpkin turmeric dog treats are made with 6 ingredients and contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that are perfect for senior dogs. Making homemade dog treats is less expensive than store-bought, with the added reassurance of knowing exactly what is in your dog’s food.
These oatmeal pumpkin dog treats get their bright color not only from the pumpkin purée, but also from turmeric.
Quick and easy, these simple treats for your pup are ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Turmeric dog treats recipe
If you have a senior dog, or if you are over the age of 40, you are likely familiar with aching joints. Just like us, as our dogs age, they develop issues like arthritis, muscle stiffness and sore joints.
Turmeric not only helps these ailments in humans, it works for dogs as well. There are turmeric supplements for dogs, if your pup needs a bit extra, but as always, consult your vet first.
I was glad to find this because my pup likes pumpkin, and I needed to find a treat with turmeric for her old joints. She gobbled it up, then promptly rolled over to earn a second one!
– Robin
Golden paste
Turmeric alone is not as effective as it is when combined with black pepper. Add to that mixture some coconut oil and a bit of water and now you have “golden paste”.
These treats contain all of the ingredients of the magic concoction that holds anti-inflammatory properties. Give them a try for a couple of weeks to see if your dog moves a little easier.
When introducing new foods, it’s always best to start in small quantities, especially if you have a pup with a sensitive stomach. These fresh breath dog biscuits aid in digestion, and calm upset tummies, in addition to helping with “puppy breath”.
How to make pumpkin turmeric dog treats
The first step in making these turmeric dog biscuits is grinding oatmeal. I use a food processor to grind the oats.
Because this dough is a little sticky, it’s easier to use this small cookie scoop to make the treats instead of rolling it out. It is the exact one I used, it holds 1 tablespoon and makes a perfectly-sized treat for smaller dogs.
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- Measure out your ingredients.
- Mix everything together with a rubber spatula in a medium bowl. (The pumpkin and turmeric may stain, so choose your spatula accordingly)
- Use a small cookie scoop to portion out treats. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Flatten slightly before baking.
How to store homemade dog treats
Because I live in a warmer, humid climate, I’d only keep them on the counter for a few days, then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
If you live in a cooler, less humid climate, you can store these treats in a cute dog treat jar on the counter for about a week.
You can also freeze them and take out a few at a time, which is what I do most of the time.
More dog treat recipes
If you’re looking for more, I have a dog treat recipes eBook. It is a full color, downloadable book with helpful tips and tricks, plus a shopping guide and more.
Here are a few of Sugar’s favorites treats:
These treats will keep in an airtight container for a couple of days on the counter. If you store them in the fridge, they will last at least a couple of weeks and in the freezer, they will last several months.
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Pumpkin turmeric dog treats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 177°C / Gas mark 4.
- Measure 2 cups of oats, then pour them into a food processor. Let machine run for 2 – 3 minutes, until oats are almost flour consistency with a few big pieces left.
- Add oats to medium bowl, then add turmeric and black pepper. Stir to combine spices with ground oats.
- Whisk egg, then add it to the oat mixture with the coconut oil and pumpkin purée.
- Using a rubber spatula, mix dough until it is uniform.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Use a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon measure to portion out treats, placing them on the lined baking sheet.
- Using wet fingers, press the tops down to flatten slightly.
- Bake for 18 minutes for chewy and soft treats. (See notes for crunchy, drier treats)
- Cool completely before feeding to your pup.
Notes
For crunchy dog biscuits:
After baking for 18 minutes at 350°F, reduce oven temperature to 200°F / 93°C / Gas mark 1/4. Bake for an additional 35 – 40 minutes. Yield will vary depending on the scoop you use. I used a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop.Nutrition
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Can these turmeric dog treats be made in an instant pot?
Thanks!
Carlee
Hi Carlee, I’ve never made dog treats in the Instant Pot, so I don’t feel confident in telling you whether or not it would work. The best advice I could give would be to test a small batch (not the full recipe) and see how it turns out. If you do, please let me know, I’d be curious to know the answer myself! 🙂
How many is good per day for a dog? We have two big dogs(85lbs and 120lbs).
Hi Katie 🙂
I would say that is a question for your vet. They know your pups and their health, so they would be better equipped to answer that for you.
Thanks for the recipe, this looks great! Might try to change the oats to hemp protein for my dog.
Great! I hope the change turns out well for you 🙂
These were great! I followed the recipe & the dough was not too sticky. I did add a little oat flour to wax paper before pressing out the dough. I used a dog bone cutter & it made over 20 biscuits. I followed the extended cooking time for crunchy treats & they were perfect! Will be my go-to recipe from now on. OX from Lotus & Nika my Aussie cattle dogs.
How wonderful, Nanette! Thank you so much for the kind feedback. I’m so glad that the pups liked the recipe! Hugs to Lotus and Nika!
Can these be frozen? How long will they last?
Yes. Up to 3 months.
I’m excited to try this… could you substitute steel cut oats for the rolled oats?
Hi Tara, I would NOT recommend steel cut oats unless you precook them. They take much longer to cook than rolled oats. I hope that helps.
If I wanted to add flax seed, how much would I add and would I need to adjust the flour?
Start with a teaspoon or two. As I haven’t done this, I can’t tell you for certain if you’ll need to adjust anything else, but I’d think it would be fine as is.
Can you use pure pumpkin instead of puree
Hi Wanda, just so I understand, are you asking if you can use fresh pumpkin? The canned puree is pure pumpkin, so I just want to clarify. If that is what you’re asking, yes you can 🙂
Can something else be used beside coconut oil?
Olive oil is a good substitute.
How long will the Treat Last?
“I’d only keep them on the counter for a few days, then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.”
Hi, what is the purpose of black pepper? I didn’t know dogs can eat pepper. Can we replace it with cinnamon or something?
Hi Tiff, the purpose of the black pepper is this: when it is combined with turmeric, it helps the body absorb the turmeric much better. The curcumin absorption rate is WAY higher in combination with black pepper.
My dog love these treats specially if I add Salmon!
Thank you so much! I’m glad your pup enjoys the treats!!
Can these treats be dehydrated for a longer shelf life?
Hi Kris, yes they can! 🙂
Can the oats be swapped with rice flour? If so, would the quantity be the same?
Hi Tracy! Yep, You can swap the oat flour with rice flour.
Can these be pressed into a silcone treat mold? Would baking temp and time change?
Hi Tanya! Yes they can. Baking time and temp shouldn’t change, but it depends on your oven. Just keep an eye on them for the first time, so you know for sure. Depending on how thick the mold is, they might require a little more time. If it’s the same thickness as the rolled out treats, you’ll be fine. 🙂