Soft Pumpkin Dog Treats
Soft pumpkin dog treats are perfect for older dogs or dogs with dental issues. This homemade dog treat recipe has only four ingredients, and takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
I’ll give you variations and substitutions where I can, plus helpful tips and tricks for success. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If you’d like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.
You may also be interested in my banana pumpkin dog treats and my oatmeal pumpkin dog treat recipes. For ease of browsing, you can find all of my dog treat recipes in one place.
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Soft pumpkin dog treats
These 4 ingredient soft dog treats are similar to the banana pumpkin dog treats that I made a few years ago. I have yet to meet a dog who doesn’t like them. Homemade pumpkin dog treats without peanut butter are low fat, which is also helpful for older dogs who aren’t as active as they used to be.
These treats are not crunchy, which is easier for your pup if they have some dental issues, or they are missing some teeth. For those dogs with trouble chewing, I would break them into smaller pieces for them. When Sugar had a few teeth pulled, I made these for her, and tore them into four or five pieces so she didn’t have to chew as much.
My chihuahua’s loved them. They were very easy to make and also to roll out.
– Reader Lynn
What you need to know
This is a soft dough. It is very easy to work with and also quite forgiving. Which is helpful, because let’s be honest – we want to make treats for our dogs, but we also don’t want it to be a huge hassle.
If the dough shrinks back while you are rolling, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest for a few minutes. I’ve never had this happen to me, but just in case you do, all that is needed is a few minutes to let the dough relax, then try again.
These soft pumpkin treats will puff up a bit when they are baked and they stay soft. The applesauce helps to make them moist and just a touch sweet. DIY pumpkin dog treats are less expensive than store-bought treats and I feel better knowing exactly what is in them.
Thank you for posting this recipe for dog cookies. My dog is old and can’t eat the store bought treats any longer. She absolutely loves these!
– Laurie
Ingredients
These “pumpkin puff treats” call for common pantry ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Canned pumpkin – Pure pumpkin purée keeps the treats soft and moist.
- Substitution: You can use baked fresh pumpkin, butternut squash or sweet potato. Do not use pie filling, make sure it is pure pumpkin. Pie filling contains added sugar that your pup does not need.
- Applesauce – In combination with the pumpkin, applesauce also provides moisture and helps to keep the baked treats soft.
- Egg – The egg provides stability and moisture for the dough.
- Flour – Regular all purpose flour is what I used for the recipe.
- Substitution: You can swap regular flour for whole wheat flour, or any gluten-free flour that you prefer.
How to make soft dog treats
Here’s a quick summary of how to make soft pumpkin dog treats. Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
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- Prep – Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C. In a medium mixing bowl – whisk egg, then add applesauce and canned pumpkin. Mix to combine, then stir in flour until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the treats out on a lightly floured surface, then cut out shapes. Gather scraps and re-roll dough, cutting out more treats until all of the dough is used up.
- Place treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Bake until golden, then cool completely on the sheet pan.
Storage / Freezing Information
To store: Place dog treats in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: For longer storage, place treats in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Soft pumpkin dog treats FAQ’s
Store these soft dog treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or the freezer for up to three months.
Because these homemade treats do not contain preservatives, and because they are not dry and crunchy like the store-bought bones, they will mold if left out at room temperature for more than a few days.
How to store homemade dog treats
Because homemade dog treats like this one do not contain any preservatives, I suggest storing them in the refrigerator. Think of them like any other baked good – if left out on the counter, they will eventually mold. This is especially true if you live in a humid climate like I do.
Storing them in the fridge will extend their shelf-life to a couple of weeks, but to store for a longer period of time, the freezer is best. I would suggest storing most of them in the freezer, keeping a handful in the refrigerator, and replenishing your supply when needed. This will keep the treats fresh for the longest amount of time.
Helpful tools and equipment
- Heavy duty sheet pans that hold up to high temps without warping.
- Parchment paper sheets are MUCH easier to use than tearing pieces off of a roll.
- A heavy wooden spoon or other sturdy spoon is helpful for mixing the dough.
- You’ll need a rolling pin to roll the dough out, and this one is comfortable to use.
- These are the exact dog bone cookie cutters that I use. I’ve had them for years and they are still sharp and rust-free.
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Soft pumpkin dog treats
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all purpose flour 420g
- 1 cup pumpkin purée 244g
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup applesauce 113g
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C / Gas mark 4.
- In a medium bowl – whisk egg, then add applesauce and pumpkin. Stir to combine. Add flour and mix until all the flour is incorporated, and you have a soft dough.
- Dust the counter with flour and knead the dough a few times to make sure it is uniform.
- On a lightly floured surface, with a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to approximately 1/8" and cut out treats. Gather scraps, re-roll the dough and cut out additional treats until all of the dough is used.
- Place the treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for approximately 18 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet. Cool completely before giving to your pup.
Notes
- I used a 2″ cookie cutter. If you use a larger cutter to make treats for a larger dog – you will need to increase baking time by a few minutes and the yield will be less than 85.
- Make sure you buy 100% pumpkin purée and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling has added sugar that isn’t great for your dog.
- Apple sauce should be plain, no added sugar. Ingredients should be: apples, water, vitamin C.
- These pumpkin treats are perishable – there are no preservatives. For best results, store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Dipping the cookie cutter in flour will also help the dough to release from the cutter more easily.
Nutrition
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Originally published 3/11/20, most recent update 1/29/25.
By flour you mean all purpose flour or wheat flour ?
I used all purpose, but you can use whatever you have.
My dog is a tea cup chihuahua. So will have to roll out very thin, since it will raise during cooking. So will I need to cut down the cooking time.
Yes, you will. Also, keep an eye on them if you are rolling out very thinly – they will bake quickly.
I needed to find a snack alternative that helped to firm my pugs stool. So I began researching and found this recipe online which I’ve made a few times now. The first time, followed it to the letter with the exception of the size. I used a spice jar lid (fun to see that others had the same idea). The subsequent times making them, I added 1 banana, a small amount of (didn’t measure) carrot which I used the food processor, and oats rather than the flour, I also added 1/2 tsp nutmeg. My pug absolutely loves these treats. I take 1 disc with us for her walk and reward her for doing her business and being polite with people and other dogs. Now the other dogs ask for the treat too. I freeze 28 discs in snack size ziplock baggies and pull out a new baggie every 2 weeks and store that bag in the fridge. Love this recipe!
Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much 🙂 I’m so happy that this recipe works for your pug and I love that you share with other pups too! Thanks for sharing your tips too <3
Nutmeg is toxic for dogs, even in small amounts.
Absolutely!
I use cinnamon in my doggie treats… and ground oatmeal for flour, pumpkin and peanut butter. They also love cooked chunks of butternut squash, and canned without salt green beans. Lots of options for my 15 & 13 year old fur babies.
In dogs, myristicin causes drastic and harmful reactions, including high blood pressure, hallucinations, increased heart rate, abdominal pain, or even seizures. Although the amount of nutmeg your dog may consume in a bite of a cookie may have little or no effect, it’s best to keep your dog away from nutmeg altogether.
Thank you for copying and pasting that paragraph directly from AKC, Stacy, but there is no nutmeg listed in my recipe.
Sorry, responded to the wrong commenter below. Nutmeg is toxic to dogs, even in small amounts it can make them sick.
Nutmeg is very toxic to dogs: cinnamon is safe. You may want to change the nutmeg to cinnamon. Also, pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice have toxic ingredients also, you should avoid them as well.
Thanks, Beth. My recipe doesn’t contain nutmeg or cinnamon.
Can I add blueberries to this recipe?
Lynn, you can add blueberries to the dough, but it will change the texture a little bit. I’d add 1/2 cup, no more than that or it may get too sticky to work with.
Do you have any more SOFT TREAT recipes for dog treats? My dog is 14 years old and dosen’t have any teeth. I rather make treats for her. It’s also hard to find soft treats in stores. But like I said I’d rather make home made ones and then I’ll know exactly what’s in them. Thank you🐾🐾🐾🐾
Hi Colette, I am working on a new one, so keep your eyes peeled for it 🙂
However, in the meantime, try the banana pumpkin recipe. Make them a bit smaller (I’m not sure how big your dog is) and reduce baking time by just a few minutes – but make sure they are fully baked through. Keep them in the fridge, because they will go bad at room temperature. That should work.
Can I rolled oats?
Yes, you can!
I made these today and my dog loves them! Thanks for an easy and yummy recipe!
Thank you so much, Katt! I’m so happy that your pup loves them! 🙂
Love the idea of adding banana. My older pup likes spices so add cinnamon and Sprinkle with tumerick(helps joints).
The recipe calls for applesauce but the video says to add mashed banana. Can you use either one? How much banana?
Hi Robin, The video is for a different dog treat recipe (with banana), so just follow the directions in the Soft Pumpkin Treat recipe post. I hope this helps to clear the confusion! 🙂
Just baked these treats for my senior hounds. They are soft and taste almost like a tea biscuit! I used a spice jar as my cookie cutter, as suggested my another reader.
Hi Rebecca, Thank you so much for that lovely review! I’m so glad they turned out well for your senior dogs 🙂 That tip was a good one!
What size can of pumpkin do you have to use??
The recipe calls for one cup of pumpkin puree. A smaller can is fine.
I made these for my dog today with some fresh pumpkin and he loves them! I tasted them and I agree with Fluffy that the treats are tasty.
Thank you so much!
Do you know if these are safe for goats? I know they can have the pumpkin but not sure on the rest.
Hi Anita, I’m sorry, but I have no idea if they are safe for goats 🙁
I’d consult a veterinarian and see what she/he has to say.
Hi Anita. I have miniature goats. They all eat pumpkin, apple and wheat, so I’m assuming the baked combination would not be harmful. I’ve never thought about the egg, but they’ve eaten store bought baked goods before with no ill effects. The key is that they’re TREATS, not a staple part of their diet. They need the long fiber they get from plant matter. Hope that helps. 🙂
I’ve read this page repeatedly and I see the ingredients needed but I don’t see where it tells you how much of each. Could someone please tell me the amounts of each ingredient? My dog has barely any teeth, doesn’t play with toys and can’t eat the store bought snacks she loved. So I wanted to make these for her for Christmas so she’d have something to enjoy. Can anybody help??
Lesa, the ingredients and full recipe are listed at the end of the post. Below is copied and pasted from the recipe card.
3 1/2 cups flour
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
Thanks so much!!!
My pleasure! 🙂
Hi. Do you think I can use rice flour instead, for grain free purposes?
Hi Debbie, I’ve never used all rice flour before, so I’m not sure how they would turn out. If you are trying to avoid flour, try grinding oatmeal in the food processor and using that instead. I hope that helps!
Just made these and they’re great! Wanted to add that I used an empty spice jar as my cutting shape and they turned out great following the same rolling and baking instructions. The texture and shape turned out like tiny pita pockets.
Hi Elizabeth! That’s fantastic! And totally genius. I’m so glad you liked them and they turned out well 🙂
Hi! What can I use instead of applesauce (can’t find it in my area)? Thanks!
Try a little plain yogurt instead.
I made the soft pumpkin treats which were very easy to make. My dogs loved them more than their usual treats.
Thank you so much for the feedback, Barbra! I’m so glad your pups loved them 🙂
My dogs absolutely love these dog treats! They won’t quit begging for them. I used oats in the food processor instead of flour omitted the egg and used wheat flour for rolling them out.
Hi Sherry! I’m so happy to hear that your dogs loved these treats!!! Glad to know that the oats worked well too 🙂
Love the idea of oats instead of flour. Should I be measuring the oats amount before putting them in the food processor?
Hi Marie 🙂
Yes. I measure the oats before grinding them.
Great! Can’t wait to try this recipe out this week. I’m sure my little senior is going to love them 🙂
Thank you, Marie! I can’t wait to hear how they turned out 🙂
Do you think baby food carrots would work as good as the pumpkin?
Hi Denise, As long as carrots are the only ingredient, I think it would be ok. I’ve never done it, so I can’t say 100%, but in theory, it “should” work just fine 🙂
Hi…
Can anybody tell me what gas mark to bake the treats at please and for how long ?
Hi Kat, It’s Gas mark 4
I made these for my poor little girl (5 lb) who had 9 teeth pulled yesterday. I used the end of a piping tube for the shape, and eve those are too big for her. We break them into bits. She was able to eat one and liked it, I’m so glad to have them.
Her vet said her kidney enzymes were a little elevated so we need low fat treats. I made half the recipe and froze the other half.
Hi Brigid, I’m glad this recipe worked for your little baby. Having teeth pulled is no fun at all. I hope she is feeling better <3
Hi,
Can I give this soft treat to a 9 week old puppy? Thank you.
Hi Nao, I wouldn’t give these to a young puppy. Wait until the pup is a month or two older before you give them any treats.
Will do! Thank you!
Making these for the first time. Can you add peanut butter to the recipe as well? If so how much?
Hi Nadine! If you want to add peanut butter to the pumpkin treats, I’d suggest this recipe: https://www.pookspantry.com/pumpkin-peanut-butter-dog-treats/
To keep them soft, reduce the baking time by a few minutes and store in the fridge.
Hi there, I make these for my dog every few weeks! I know they are his favourite over anything we get store-bought and he loves to get something from the fridge. He has a very sensitive stomach and when he’s not feeling well these are often the only thing he will eat. He will even choose them over fresh cooked rice and boiled chicken. Thank you for this recipe 🙂
Aw, Paulina! Thank you so much for the feedback. I’m thrilled that your boy loves these treats! (But, I’m sorry he has tummy issues, I know what that’s like). Thank you again for taking the time to leave a lovely comment 🙂
This recipe ROCKS! Who would have thought something so easy with simple good ingredients would make my babies so happy. I have two little senior pugs (14 & 11). One only has two teeth left and the other is blind, but don’t let that fool you because their little noses work really well. They actually know when I am mixing a batch of these up and get so excited for them. I mix, roll, cut out, while my husband bakes them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Tara, Jim, Molly & Mogely
Thank you so much, Tara! I’m SO HAPPY that the pups love them!! 🙂 I appreciate your kind words xx
This recipe ROCKS! Who would have thought something so easy with simple good ingredients would make my babies so happy. I have two little senior pugs (14 & 11). One only has two teeth left and the other is blind, but don’t let that fool you because their little noses work really well. They actually know when I am mixing a batch of these up and get so excited for them. I mix, roll, cut out, while my husband bakes them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Tara, Jim, Molly & Mogely
Wallace, the boxer, is around 11 years old and, lately, has been turning down crunchy treats. We’ve been blowing through commercial treats trying to find some that he loves that are good for him and don’t cost next month’s mortgage payment. I made these for him. Didn’t have apple sauce so I pureed the apples we froze from our harvest last fall. I held my breath when I offered him the first one. He loved it and asked for more! (I had to taste them too and they are sweet from the pumpkin and nice and soft.) Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Carol, this absolutely MADE MY DAY! I’m so happy that Wallace has treats that he likes! I understand what a struggle it can be to find things for our aging fur babies. I’m thrilled that this recipe has worked for him (and YOU!) <3
This recipe makes a lot. Can I freeze half the dough to use at a later date?
Hi Sandi, yes, you can freeze the dough. However, I recommend freezing the baked treats instead. I’ve never frozen the dough, but I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t work.
Hello! My little Bean was just at the vet’s for 5 days due to pancreatitis. So, I’m concerned about the fat from the egg. Would it turn out ok if I just did egg whites or mashed banana?
Thank you, Kristina
Hi Kristina! I’m so sorry that Bean wasn’t feeling well. I understand your concern. Yes, you can absolutely use mashed banana or egg white instead of whole egg. The egg is there as a binder and a little extra protein, but the recipe should still work with that change. If you run into any issues, shoot me an email and I’ll help you figure it out.
This is the BEST treat recipe ever!! Believe me, I have tried way too many dog treat recipes, and this one is the winner. Dogs love them and I do too!
The soft texture makes these perfect for seniors and puppies. It also makes using these as training treats a breeze! Easy to break into smaller pieces.
I am a dog walker and I like to make treats to use with and give to my client’s dogs. I have yet to meet a dog who doesn’t go absolutely bonkers for these treats. I don’t know what it is about them but other recipes are no match for the simple ingredients, soft texture and (apparently) addictive flavor of these treats.
P.S I make these with oat flour. I take old fashioned rolled oats and grind until a fine powder/ grainy texture in my food processor. Then, use just like I would all purpose flour! Treats still come out nice and soft.
Thank you so much for this great review! 🙂
Thank you for this recipe I have an 8 year old pomapoo that has seizures and I have been searching for treats that will be healthy and help his seizures now time to go bake them
Hi Tammy – I don’t think these treats will help his seizures, but they are healthier than store-bought options!
Hi Pook I am going to be making the soft pumpkin treats for a friends dog as well as my fur baby. Unfortunately their baby has a tumor and has lost some teeth too. I am concerned about the cancer side. Are these ok for her and they have to cut out sugar because it actually helps the tumor grow. 🙁 Your nutritional info says no sugar and I assume the sugars from the applesauce and pumpkin are natural, therefore no sugars.
Hi! There is no added sugar, but there is naturally occuring sugar in both the applesauce and pumpkin. It is minimal, but to be on the safe side, I would ask the veterinarian about it, considering it is a serious health issue.
I just made these today as I wanted a soft treat for my Molly as she has an abscessed tooth that will be removed at the end of the week. They are a little chewy so maybe not so if I cook them less than 18 minutes? I see that I can freeze these too which was my question. Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks, Lisa. I hope Molly is doing well.
Not being one who bakes any sort of sweet stuff, (never baked a cookie in my life), I’ve got a question of a how to nature. Saying a fella wanted to make up some very small treats for a very small dog, how would do that? Try and make a bunch of small treat sized pieces to bake, or make a bunch of smaller “balls” and bake in a group similar to how you’d bake “splittable” dinner rolls in a muffin pan? Or miniature Dachshund just can’t deal with most hard treats and won’t even try.
Hi Drew, I’d say to make it easier on yourself, tear off similar sized pieces of dough (you want to make sure they are relatively the same size, otherwise they won’t all bake at the same rate) and place those pieces on the baking sheet. If they are quite small, reduce the baking time by a minute or two. You’ll want to make sure they aren’t raw in the middle, but also, make sure not to overbake them and make them crunchy.
Don’t hesitate to ask if you have more questions, I’m here to help! You can also email me (cheryl@pookspantry.com) if you need an answer more quickly. I hope this helps!
My chihuahau’s loved them. They were very easy to make and also to roll out. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Lynn! I’m glad your pups loved them!!! That makes my heart happy 🙂
Hi! I made these for the first time last night and my dogs love them!! How do you get the excess flour off of the outside of them after you cut them? I want them to look prettier, hahah!
Hi Kristen! I know exactly what you mean! LOL. I use a pastry brush to brush off the flour. You don’t have to be too careful with it, the treats can handle the brushing. 🙂
Could I make the dough the day before and store in the fridge until I am ready to roll and bake?
Hi Ashley, you absolutely can! Let the dough come to room temperature before trying to roll it out. It’ll be much easier to do.
These were just what I was looking for! Soft, healthy, low fat, low protein treats for my small biewer and papillon.
Thank you so much, Jeanie! I’m thrilled that the recipe worked great for your pups! <3
In your soft pumpkin treats for dogs, do you think it be ok to add a teaspoon of flaxseed to the recipe?
Hi Debbie, it was for MY dog to have it, but I’d make a quick call to your vet to ask about your pup. Just like people, every dog is a little different. I’d rather be on the safe side and ask the vet treating your dog if it is ok.
My lab has heart issues so
all purpose flour has too much sodium and protein
I made my own rice flour and it works well in your recipes
Deacon loves your soft pumpkin treats and the others I have tried so far
I love knowing exactly what’s in the treats and no preservatives. Thank you for the recipes Deacon can’t wait to try more of them
Thanks, Lynn. I’m glad you were able to make the recipe work for your pup. 🙂