How to make Pumpkin Dog Biscuits.
With Halloween approaching we look at the benefits of feeding your dog pumpkin, as well as a healthy, easy to make pumpkin dog biscuit.
Can dogs eat pumpkin?
If prepared correctly, pumpkin can be a beneficial addition to your dog's diet. It's naturally rich in fibre as well as vitamins A, C, and E and minerals like potassium and iron. Due to its high soluble fibre content, pumpkin is very good for your dog’s digestion. If you feed your dog some pumpkin, it will add bulk to their stool. This helps reduce issues with diarrhea.
In addition, pumpkin also contains prebiotics. Prebiotics support the presence of important bacteria in the digestive tract. Feeding dogs prebiotic foods is a great way to strengthen their digestive health.
How much pumpkin should I feed my dog?
While pumpkin can be a great choice to add to your dog’s diet, it’s important to remember that you can have too much of a good thing. Too much pumpkin in your dog’s diet can cause some harmful effects. Pumpkin is a starchy vegetable, so high in calories, and too much fibre can also be harmful. Add 1-4 tablespoons of pumpkin to your dog’s diet, depending on size. And always check with your vet if you have any doubts.
How should I feed my dog pumpkin?
To prepare fresh pumpkin, remove the seeds and bake it in your oven until it is soft.
Peel a whole pumpkin and remove the seeds, then slice it into chunks. Simmer the flesh in boiling water for 20 to 30 minutes or until it’s tender. Drain and mash it into a smooth paste. This is also a great addition to other recipes. Pumpkin purée will keep for three to four days in the fridge and six months in the freezer.
Crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds.
You can also add pumpkin seeds to your dog’s diet as a crunchy treat. Clean and roast fresh seeds for one hour in a hot oven. Let them cool, and then grind them up into your dog’s food.
Plain canned pumpkin is easy to feed your dog as you don't need to cook it. Ensure it doesn’t have additives and serve it directly. It is essential that you differentiate between pumpkin pie filling and canned pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling has added fat, sugar, and spices like cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Some of these spices can be toxic to your dog. Plain canned pumpkin consists of pumpkin flesh, which is generally safe for your dog.
How to make pumpkin dog biscuits.
These biscuits are simple and easy to make from just 3 ingredients.
- ½ cup of peanut butter (make sure it is Xylitol free)
- ½ cup of pumpkin puree (homemade or canned)
- ¾ cup of oat flour
Pre-heat your oven to 175 degrees C (350 F)
Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl.
Dust your surface with oat flour and roll your mixture to 1 ½ cm (1/2 inch) thick.
Cut out biscuits using a cookie cutter. Re-roll the mixture as needed to make the maximum number of biscuits.
Line a baking tray with parchment and place cookies on it.
Bake for 30 minutes – until dry to the touch.
Cool on a cooling rack.
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.