Saturday, February 21, 2015

Woof! Woof! Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

by Peg Cochran

I know we normally feature "people" recipes here, but I hope you will allow me to deviate this one time.  When I found out what unhealthy things are being put in dog food, I decided to feed our Westie, Reg, homemade food.  (In case you didn't know, Reg is famous for appearing in my Gourmet De-Lite Series.) He can't believe his good luck!  Every night he scarfs down chicken, fish or pork (and the occasional treat of some beef) with a grain like rice or barley and one of his favorite vegetables--carrots, green beans, broccoli or sweet potatoes.

I decided that since I was feeding him "real" food for breakfast and dinner, I should get rid of the dog biscuits and make him homemade treats as well.  This recipe is for sweet potato dog biscuits, but I somehow managed to read "sweet potato" as "pumpkin" and I used canned pumpkin.  They turned out great and Reg LOVES them!  And I feel good because I know he's getting something good to eat.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Dog Biscuits:

1 cup canned pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie filling!)
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 egg
Use whole wheat flour


These are so easy to make!  Combine everything in your food processor and blend until a dough forms.










 Add ingredients to food processor


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.



Line a cookie sheet (you'll probably need two) with parchment paper.  Make small walnut-sized balls of dough by rolling a chunk of dough between your palms.  Line up on cookie sheet.


Flatten each ball of dough.  I used the bottom of a juice glass.








Bake at 350 degrees until quite hard.

And that's it!  You now have homemade dog treats!


Reg about to enjoy a biscuit straight from the oven!

My latest Lucille book, Hit and Nun is out now!


And the first book in my upcoming Cranberry Cove series is available for pre-order!



11 comments:

  1. I'm going to make these. Pumpkin is so good for dogs! I always buy extra cans of pumpkin around the holidays and keep them in the pantry for the dogs. Reg is so cute. What a lucky guy to have homemade dog treats!

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    1. The last time I went to make these, I couldn't find any pumpkin! I was afraid they only put it out at the holidays!

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  2. What darling pictures! I'm going to try these for Sparky. He's finicky when it comes to treats, but it's worth the try and if he doesn't take to them, I'm sure all his pals at his play group will ADORE them.

    Daryl / Avery

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  3. I have decided that since I'm cooking anyway I might as well make something for Pep. Healthier, cheaper, and sometimes he's more appreciative than the rest of the family. These look SO easy. Thanks.

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  4. I just recently heard that pumpkin was a healthy food for dogs. I need to bake some of these for our Catahoula/Blue Healer. Thank you for the recipe!
    Sandy in So. Cali

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    Replies
    1. Sandy, I've heard that pumpkin is even good if they have a tummy upset. It's soothing.

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  5. I wish I had a dog to make these for. Can cats eat them?

    I would try to use fresh pumpkin, though, if possible.

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    Replies
    1. Diana, I don't know if cats would like them but I don't think the ingredients would hurt them.

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  6. Peg, these are great! Our vet told us to feed pumpkin to the dogs and I was going to look for a dog treat recipe with it. Thanks to you (and the talented Reg) for this.

    XO

    MJ

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