Soft Pumpkin Dog Treats

Soft pumpkin dog treats are perfect for older dogs or dogs with dental issues. Homemade pumpkin dog treats without peanut butter are low fat, which is also good for older dogs who aren’t as active.

These 4 ingredient pumpkin dog treats are similar to the banana pumpkin dog treats that I made a few years ago. I have yet to meet a dog (or human!) who doesn’t like them.

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Soft treats for older dogs

My dog will turn 13 this year. She’s a senior dog and I lovingly call her my old lady. She’s also had a few teeth pulled and isn’t quite as active as she used to be.

I’ve been making treats for her since she was a puppy, but when I don’t have time to make them, I buy them.

I started to notice recently that she was having trouble with really crunchy or hard treats from the pet store, so I set out to create a soft dog treat for older dogs.

DIY dog biscuits

DIY pumpkin dog treats, like this oatmeal pumpkin dog treat recipe, are less expensive than store-bought treats and I feel better knowing exactly what is in them.

Making dog biscuits is (or should be) really easy, and these are very easy.

Just a bit of mixing, rolling out and cutting cute dog bone shapes. They are the easiest cookies you’ll ever make.

soft pumpkin dog treats

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 these treats but we also don’t want it to be a huge hassle.

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.

Like these homemade dog treats with rolled oats, there are no preservatives in this dog biscuit recipe. You can leave them out on the counter for a few days, but after that, they should be refrigerated.

how to make pumpkin dog treats

You’ll need a few tools to make this recipe. The good news is that you probably already have everything. Just in case you don’t, this is what you’ll need:

• a heavy wooden spoon or other sturdy spoon
• a medium mixing bowl
• a baking sheet
• parchment paper (very helpful, but not mandatory, if you have nonstick cookie sheets)
• a rolling pin
• dog bone cookie cutters – or any cookie cutters you have already

In a medium bowl, you’ll mix the applesauce, pumpkin and egg together. Then stir in the flour until it forms a soft dough.

Lightly flour the counter or a cutting board, roll out the dough and cut shapes. Bake and cool before giving to your dog.

How to store homemade dog treats

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.

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.

You can also freeze them and take out a few at a time, which is what I do most of the time.

Homemade dog biscuits

These pumpkin dog treats make great homemade gifts too. I like to make small dog treat bags to give away to friends and neighbors who have dogs.

If you see the same neighbors walking their dogs in the neighborhood or at the dog park, getting homemade dog biscuits would be a welcome gesture.

And it’s something nice to do for someone (which we could all use a little more of). Plus, I guarantee their dogs would love it.

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Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂