4 Halloween Dog Treats to Try at Home

For most of us, fun costumes and yummy candy are a big part of what makes Halloween so great. And while there’s nothing cuter than a pup dressed up as a pumpkin, typical Halloween treats are a big no-no for our doggos. That doesn’t mean your dog has to miss out on the delicious holiday fun, though! 

We’ve come up with a few easy homemade dog treats that will be a healthy alternative to both forbidden Halloween candy and your pet’s usual snacks. And best of all, these Halloween dog treat recipes contain human-grade ingredients so you can actually enjoy them with your pup.

Benefits of Homemade Dog Treats

For many dogs, Halloween can be a stressful time. Whether you’re dealing with a parade of trick-or-treaters at the door or just a jumbled-up routine, Halloween dog treats are a great way to distract your dog from the holiday chaos and show them a little extra love.

Sure, you could go out and buy dog Halloween treats when you’re picking up your Halloween candy. But there are many simple recipes for homemade dog treats you may want to consider. 

Not only is this a great way to kick off the Halloween season, making your own DIY dog treats offers a variety of benefits:

• You control the ingredients. So you can omit those that your pet may be allergic to or that could cause digestive upset.
• They’re usually healthier. Because homemade treats don’t have added preservatives and fillers, they are often healthier than commercial treats.
• They’re budget-friendly. You can buy high-quality organic ingredients for a fraction of the cost of purchasing pre-made treats. Many ingredients, like canned pumpkin and peanut butter, may already be in your cupboard.
• Avoid waste. Some recipes are a great opportunity to use up leftover food (as long as it’s pet-safe).
• Easy to customize and get creative. You can buy a variety of fun spooky molds or cookie cutters to make treats in the shape of everything from ghosts to bats, pumpkins, black cats, and beyond. Plus, these come in a variety of sizes to accommodate dogs from puppies to large breeds. 
• It’s fun! Homemade treats are fun for couples, friends, or a family to make together, not to mention a great way to include your pup in your Halloween festivities. 

How to Make Homemade Dog Treats: 4 Halloween Dog Treat Recipes to Try

Here are four healthy and easy-to-make Halloween dog treat recipes that will drive canines crazy. (Or should we say batty?) Feel free to modify or add in different ingredients if there’s a flavor or food that your dog loves, as long as it’s pet-safe. You can also sneak in supplements your pup might be taking, like fish oil or glucosamine powder. When making these, get creative and have some fun. 

And don’t worry if you’re not a master chef or baker. These recipes are pretty foolproof, even for beginners.  

Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats

This is a simple no-bake homemade dog treat recipe that my pups went bonkers over. And it’s healthy! Pumpkin is great for your pet’s digestion and contains vitamins and minerals, including iron and potassium. Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant. And oats are a good alternative to flour for dogs who may have wheat or grain sensitivities. 

These don’t require a mold or cookie cutter, as you will be rolling them into balls by hand. They are also extremely adorable little mini pumpkins that will get you into the Halloween spirit.  

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin purée (make sure it’s unsweetened purée; not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1-2 celery stalks
• 1/4 cup carob chips (not chocolate)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon 

Supplies

• Large mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Spatula
• Cutting knife
• Measuring cup 
• Measuring spoon
• Serving platter or baking sheet 

Instructions 

• Mix pumpkin purée, oats, peanut butter, honey, and cinnamon in a large bowl.  
• Spoon out the dough, roll into bite-sized balls (you can adjust the amount depending on the size of your pet), and place on a serving platter or baking sheet. 
• Slice celery into 1-inch segments, then cut lengthwise into 2-3 pieces (for smaller balls, you may need to cut thinner).
• Press celery pieces into the top of each ball (as the pumpkin stem) and use the carob chips for the eyes, nose, and mouth. If the carob chips are too big, you can chop them smaller.
• Place in refrigerator for 1 hour to chill, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.

Fro-Yo Pumpkin Dog Treats

This is a perfect homemade dog treats recipe if you live in a warm climate and your pet likes frozen treats. Yogurt has probiotics and is an excellent source of calcium. Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant, is anti-inflammatory, and may help to boost your pet’s immune system. These popsicles come out looking like big pieces of candy corn, making them a festive dog-safe Halloween treat. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup puréed pumpkin
• 2 cups nonfat plain yogurt (divided)
• 1 tsp ground turmeric 

Supplies

• Popsicle molds or ice tray
• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring cup 
• Measuring spoon

Instructions 

• Measure out 1 cup of yogurt and fill popsicle or ice tray 1/3 of the way up, then freeze for 1-2 hours.
• Add puréed pumpkin on top of the frozen yogurt, filling it 2/3 of the way up, then freeze again for 1-2 hours.
• Mix the turmeric with the remaining yogurt, then top off the popsicles/ice tray.
• Insert popsicle sticks and freeze for 2-3 hours.

Tip: For a lower fat option, use less yogurt and more puréed pumpkin.  

Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

All dogs seem to love peanut butter. And that’s not a bad thing! Peanut butter is a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. It also contains folic acid and magnesium. Eggs are high in protein, vitamins, and fatty acids. 

If my dogs are any indication, your pup will go nuts for this yummy homemade dog treat. These are fun to pop into baking molds or turn into fun shapes with Halloween-themed cookie cutters. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour of your choice (we used coconut)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup water 

Supplies

• Silicone molds (Halloween or dog treat shapes)*
• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Serving platter or baking sheet 

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Press dough into cookie molds.
• Place your silicone molds onto a cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes (longer for bigger treats).
• Remove biscuits from oven and let cool before serving. 

Tip: If you’re using coconut flour, you’ll need to add more water since it’s denser than wheat flour. Also, it helps to let the treats completely cool before removing them from the molds to prevent crumbling.  

Pumpkin Dog Cookies

If your dog loves pumpkin (like mine do), here’s another delicious and healthy recipe for homemade dog treats. Pumpkin seeds contain immune system-boosting vitamins and minerals and are a good source of protein and fiber. This is another treat that did well with our taste testers. We had to keep shooing them out of the kitchen when we were making them. And when it was time to serve these pumpkin dog treats, our pups were going through all of their tricks trying to score as many as they could. 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour of your choice
• 2/3 cup whole or rolled oats
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup water 

Supplies

• Silicone molds (Halloween or dog treat shapes)*
• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Serving platter or baking sheet 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Press dough into cookie molds.
• Place your silicone molds onto a cookie sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes.
• Remove treats from oven and let cool before serving. 

*If you don’t have silicone Halloween cookie molds or dog treat molds, you can roll out the dough and use cookie cutters. First, place the dough in the refrigerator for about an hour to cool. Then roll it out on a clean, flat surface until it’s about 1/2 inch thick. If the dough sticks, add more flour.  

Halloween Dog Treat Safety Tips

The most important thing to keep in mind when making DIY dog treats is that dogs cannot have certain foods, many of which are common in human Halloween treats. Some ingredients can endanger your dog’s health, so please consult the guidelines below before you modify any homemade dog treat recipes.

Here’s a checklist to help you keep your Halloween dog treats safe. 

• Avoid ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. Chocolate, raisins, and some artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol can be toxic to dogs. Make sure to check the label of all the ingredients you are using carefully, as some peanut butters, for instance, may contain artificial sweeteners.
• Monitor the calories. Homemade dog treats recipes containing peanut butter and yogurt are higher in calories and fat and should be consumed in moderation, especially for pets on veterinarian-ordered diets.
• Supervise your pet. Your pup may be overly excited to try these new delicious Halloween dog treats, so wait for them to calm down before serving and only give them one at a time to prevent choking. 
• Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Healthy homemade dog treats have all-natural ingredients without preservatives. They can get moldy and stale if left out for too long. If you make a big batch, you can even freeze some of these for a post-Halloween treat.

Be mindful of dental issues. If you have pets with missing or sensitive teeth, be sure not to overcook dog cookies, which can make them too hard and crunchy. Also if you opt for any frozen treats, hold them so your pet can lick them, as chomping down on icy homemade dog treats will be hard on their teeth.