Does your dog have an upset stomach? Try these easy pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats and have your pup feeling better in no time.
I love my puppies! They are my furbabies (and one day when I have my own babies, they’ll continue to be my furbabies!) They are both so loving and each has their own personality that makes us laugh.
Unfortunately, they are very nosy, curious creatures and get into mischief from time to time. And the evidence is found in the grass (and sometimes our floor). Poor pups.
Every dog owner should have two things at hand at all times in case of the puppy runs:
Anti-Diarrhea medication (kaolin/pectin). I usually get the generic formula at Petsmart or Petco. Kaolin is the anti-diarrhea component, while pectin coats and soothes the digestive tract.
Canned pumpkin. And NOT pumpkin pie mix! Nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice don’t do anything to soothe their tummies. Canned pumpkin can be found in the baking aisle of your local supermarket. Some specialty pet stores will also carry them although they will cost you slightly more. And if you have small dogs like I do, one can will usually be too much.
Canned pumpkin is pumpkin in puree form. It is a good source of dietary fiber and provides bulk for your pup’s digestive tract. It is low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamin E, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Some vets even recommend canned pumpkin for weight loss in dogs. Pumpkin will absorb the excess water present in the digestive tract. This makes your dog’s stool more firm and results can be seen within a few hours.
I’ve been told to give your small dog one and a half to two teaspoons of canned pumpkin. For a larger dog, give two tablespoons instead.
If anyone has witnessed a parent attempt to give cough syrup to their child, you’ll know of the lengths of trickery that sometimes parents have to go through to administer meds. My furbabies are no exception.
One thing I’ve learned living with these puppies is that they can’t turn down anything cooked in the kitchen. So I concocted up pumpkin treats with canned pumpkin.
I used Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Brown Rice Flour. I found it in the gluten-free area at Walmart, but I’m sure it is readily found at Whole Foods or other organic shops.
Many, many dogs have wheat and corn allergies and brown rice flour is a great alternative to wheat flour. Next time I need to buy more, I will pick up Bob’s Red Mill potato flour.
I try to feed my dogs a grain-free diet and their food, Stella & Chewy, is excellent.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix the pumpkin, egg, and peanut butter. (I added the egg and peanut butter because the pumpkin has the consistency of apple sauce and would otherwise require TONS more flour). Add enough flour so that your mixing spoon can stand on its own, about a cup or so.
Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the batter onto the cookie sheet and flatten with your hands. It’s been my experience that pumpkin will only cling to a rolling pin, so I’ve had to use my hands. Once flat on the cookie sheet, use the tip of a silicone spatula to cut the batter into squares. The edges don’t have to be perfect.
Bake for 20 minutes. The center and bottoms of the treats will still be a little moist. Flip them over and bake for another 10-15 minutes. You can finish tearing them off into individual treats at this time.
This recipe made about 50 treats. You can add bananas and applesauce with additional flour if you’d like, but my gullible puppy liked it with peanut butter. I added a dash of garlic powder for more aroma, but it’s not necessary.
IMPORTANT: These treats will need to be refrigerated as there are no preservatives in them. My first batch, when stored in a Ziploc bag on the kitchen counter, started to mold after one week, so I highly recommend refrigerating them.
Wondering what to do with the leftover pumpkin puree? Try my DIY Organic Brightening Pumpkin Face Mask. It leaves your skin feeling refreshed and naturally helps lighten hyperpigmentation!
I hope your puppies like them as much as mine do!
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Canned pumpkin is a good source of dietary fiber and provides bulk for your pup’s digestive tract. These pumpkin peanut butter treats is an easy way to give your dog pumpkin if they don't like the texture of pumpkin.
Materials
- 1/2 can organic pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup organic peanut butter
- 1 organic egg
- 1 cup rice flour
- nonstick cooking spray
Tools
- large bowl
- can opener
- measuring cups
- parchment paper (optional)
- cookie cutter (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the pumpkin, egg, and peanut butter.
- Add enough flour so that your mixing spoon can stand on its own, about a cup or so.
- Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread the batter onto the cookie sheet and flatten with your hands.
- Cut the batter using a knife or cookie cutter
- Bake for 20 minutes. The center and bottoms of the treats will still be a little moist.
- Flip them over and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
- Let cool. Serve.
- Store in refrigerator.
Notes
These treats will need to be refrigerated as there are no preservatives in them. My first batch, when stored in a Ziploc bag on the kitchen counter, started to mold after one week, so I highly recommend refrigerating them.
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