These single ingredient treats are made with fresh pumpkin, and they’re a great way to incorporate those fall vibes into your pup’s treat jar!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 hours
WHAT YOU NEED
1 Medium Pumpkin
Carving Knife
Dehydrator (or oven)
DIRECTIONS
Start by cutting the pumpkin in half. Remove the pumpkin innards, setting aside to make pumpkin seeds and pumpkin powder. I normally remove the outer skin layer at this point, but it’s not required. Next, cut the pumpkin halves into 1/4 inch thick slices. Each slice can be shaped into bite-sized pieces or to a desired size. Then, lay the pumpkin pieces onto your dehydrator trays (or oven-safe baking sheets if using the oven). Place in the dehydrator at 100°F for 24 hours (or if using the oven, the lowest temperature it allows for 12 hours, flipping the pieces half-way through).
That’s it! I recommend storing in an air-tight container for up to three weeks, or in the freezer forup to six months.
BONUS
To utilize the entire pumpkin, I separate the pumpkin seeds, soak in a brine, then roast in the oven for a human snack. I blend the leftover “guts” in my food processor into a puree then dehydrate with the bites. After the 24 hours of drying, the puree gets put back in the processor which creates a powder. Use a teaspoon of powder a day with your pup’s meals for an added boost of nutrients!
What’s your favorite DIY dog treat? Share your recipes in the comments!
Kato & Ellie are rescue dogs born in Florida before moving 3000 miles cross-country with my partner and I. Washington State is our home! Our days are fueled by lattes, the weekends packed with outdoor adventure, and the in-between filled with city exploration.
