Homemade Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats

These treats are soft, cake-like and gentle on the stomach, a good option for older dogs who cannot manage hard biscuits.

Unsweetened applesauce keeps them moist without any added sugar.

Why your dog will love this

• Soft enough for senior dogs
• Sweet apple and pumpkin flavor with no added sugar
• Freezes well for quick rewards

Ingredient notes

• Plain pumpkin purée Safe

  Plain cooked or canned pumpkin adds fiber. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and nutmeg.

• Unsweetened applesauce Safe

  Check that the applesauce has no added sugar, cinnamon blends or xylitol.

  Remove the core and seeds. Unsweetened applesauce is fine.

• Egg Safe

  Serve fully cooked.

• Oat flour Safe

  Plain oats cooked or baked. Skip flavored instant oatmeal.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Homemade Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats

Homemade Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats takes about 37 minutes from start to finish and makes 30 bites. It is an easy recipe. You will need a silicone mini muffin pan. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 4 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for dogs.

• 1/2 cup plain pumpkin purée: Plain cooked or canned pumpkin adds fiber. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and nutmeg.
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce: Check that the applesauce has no added sugar, cinnamon blends or xylitol. Remove the core and seeds. Unsweetened applesauce is fine.
• 1 large egg: Serve fully cooked.
• 2 cups oat flour: Plain oats cooked or baked. Skip flavored instant oatmeal.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin tin.
2. Whisk the pumpkin, applesauce and egg.
3. Stir in the oat flour until just combined.
4. Spoon into the tin, filling each cup three-quarters full.
5. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow about 22 minutes.
6. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then on a rack. Allow about 10 minutes.

Tips for success

• Use unsweetened applesauce with no added cinnamon blends that may contain nutmeg.
• A small cookie scoop gives every treat the same size and calorie count.
• Let the treats cool completely before storing to stop condensation and mold.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 7 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Because they are soft, keep these in the fridge. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

Small dogs: 1 bite a day. Medium dogs: 2. Large dogs: up to 3. Each bite has about 28 calories. Treats and toppers should stay under 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories, so cut back their regular food a little on days you serve extra.

Swaps and variations

No unsweetened applesauce? Use mashed ripe banana. No oat flour? Use whole wheat flour. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.

Why dogs love it

Soft enough for senior dogs. Sweet apple and pumpkin flavor with no added sugar. Freezes well for quick rewards.

Feeding tips for dogs

Introduce any new food slowly, starting with a small piece, and wait a day to see how your dog’s stomach handles it. Dogs with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or diabetes may need changes, so check with your vet first. Keep fresh water out, especially with dry or salty-tasting treats, and count every treat toward the daily allowance so meals stay balanced.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your dog. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is applesauce safe for dogs?

Plain, unsweetened applesauce is safe in small amounts. Avoid sweetened versions and any with xylitol.

Can I add cinnamon?

A small pinch of Ceylon cinnamon is generally fine. Never use pumpkin pie spice, which contains nutmeg.

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