Easy Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats (3 Ways): Baked, No‑Bake & Frozen Cubes for Halloween

Seasonal, safe, and ridiculously easy — tested on my Westie, Monty.

TL;DR: If you’ve got a can of 100% pumpkin purée (not pie filling), a spoon of xylitol‑free peanut butter, and either yogurt or water, you can whip up 3 pup‑approved treats. Keep total treats under 10% of daily calories, and start with small portions to see how your dog’s tummy does.

Why pumpkin (and why you’ll love this post)

Let’s be real: you’ve got 47 tabs open, you’ve pinned five Pumpkin Dog Treats Easy ideas, and every recipe wants twelve ingredients and a stand mixer. Hard pass. 

Pumpkin (the plain, canned kind) gives you fiber, moisture, and that cozy fall vibe without the faff.

We’ll turn one can into three Fall dog treats: quick frozen cubes for hot afternoons, 3‑ingredient dog treats you don’t have to bake, and simple baked dog treats recipes that last all week.

I keep the shopping list short, the steps shorter, and the cleanup minimal.

Monty (my resident Westie taste‑tester) approves—loudly—so IMO you’re in good paws.

Ready to save money, skip mystery ingredients, and still feel like a pro? Same.

What you’ll make today:

• Frozen Pumpkin Yogurt Cubes (2–3 ingredients, 5 minutes hands on)
• No‑Bake Pumpkin–Peanut Butter Bites (3 ingredients, chill to set)
• Baked Pumpkin Biscuits (everyday pantry ingredients, crunchy or soft)

Reader promise: Clear steps, quick swaps, and safety notes

Quick safety snapshot

• Pumpkin: Use 100% canned pumpkin or cooked fresh pumpkin. No pumpkin pie filling (often contains sugar and spices like nutmeg)—see PetMD.
• Peanut butter: Use xylitol‑free peanut butter only—always check labels (see AKC).
• Yogurt: Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt. If dairy bothers your dog, use lactose‑free yogurt or water/broth instead.
• Coconut oil (in the no‑bake recipe): Tasty, but high in fat—offer tiny portions and avoid for pancreatitis‑prone pups .
• Treats ≠ meals: Keep all treats ≤10% of daily calories. Adjust dinner slightly if you hand out KONGs or lots of biscuits (see PetMD).
• Choking & shape: Keep treats small for small dogs. Silicone molds and thin biscuits are safest.

Portion guide (starting points): Tiny dogs: 1–2 small treats/day; Small: 2–3; Medium: 3–4; Large: 4–6. For pumpkin itself, think teaspoons for small dogs, tablespoons for larger — and watch that poop scorecard. 🌽➡️💩

Ingredients & gear (US + UK friendly)

Pantry basics: 100% pumpkin purée; xylitol‑free peanut butter; plain yogurt (or water/broth); whole wheat flour or oat flour; egg (optional for baked); pinch of ground cinnamon is optional (skip for very sensitive dogs; never nutmeg).

Gear: Mixing bowl, spoon, baking tray + parchment, silicone molds/ice trays, rolling pin & cookie cutter (for baked), cooling rack.

Shopping notes

• Pumpkin purée: US (Libby’s, 365, store brand). UK (Biona, Baking Buddy, or supermarket own brand labeled “100% pumpkin”).
• Flour: Wholewheat flour or blitz oats in a blender for oat flour.
• Molds: Any ice tray works — cute bone/pumpkin shapes are a bonus.

1) Frozen Pumpkin Yogurt Cubes (AKC‑style)

These frozen pumpkin yogurt cubes are the definition of easy dog treat recipes: stir, pour, freeze, done. If you’re doom‑scrolling for “Pumpkin Dog Treats Easy” and you need something now—not in two hours after dough chills—this is your move.

They cool dogs down after walks, double as a quick lick‑mat spread, and you can scale the batch in minutes.

Don’t feel like dairy? No probs—use water or broth.

Want a training trick? Blend a cube with water and drizzle over kibble for a “new” food vibe without changing foods.

FYI, frozen cubes melt fast, so serve on a towel and supervise.

Best for: hot days, teething pups (supervised), quick enrichment.

Ingredients (makes ~20 small cubes)

• 1 cup 100% pumpkin purée
• 1 cup plain yogurt (or lactose‑free)
• Optional splash of water if too thick

Steps

1. Whisk pumpkin and yogurt until smooth. Thin with a splash of water if needed.
2. Spoon into cute silicone molds or an ice tray.
3. Freeze 3–4 hours. Pop out and store in in a freezer bag.

Serve: 1–2 cubes for small dogs, 2–4 for larger. Let soften a minute for senior teeth.

Swaps & tips

• Dairy‑free: Use water, low‑sodium broth, or lactose‑free yogurt.
• Enrichment: Smear the mix on a lick mat and freeze.
• Training hack: Blend 1 cube with water as a pup‑kin pup‑shake; use a splash to scent low‑value kibble.

Creator credit & further reading: Inspired by the American Kennel Club’s pumpkin treat ideas.

2) No‑Bake Pumpkin–Peanut Butter Bites (Chill to set)

When your oven is full of actual people food (or it’s 95°F and you refuse to heat the kitchen), these 3‑ingredient dog treats save the day.

Pumpkin + peanut butter + a bit of coconut oil bind into a spoonable mix you press into molds. Chill to set. That’s it.

If it looks a little loose, fold in quick oats.

Want budget‑friendly? Skip the oil and use a spoon of oat flour.

Are they cute enough for Insta? Yep.

Are they practical for training? Press them thin and snap into tiny squares so you don’t overdo calories. Monty loves the snap; I love the 5‑minute cleanup.

Best for: zero‑oven days, 5‑minute projects, Halloween party prep.

Ingredients (fills ~1 standard ice tray / 12–16 bites)

• 1/2 cup 100% pumpkin purée
• 1/4 cup xylitol‑free peanut butter
• 1–2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (start with 1 tbsp; add more only if needed for set)
• Optional: 1/4–1/2 cup quick oats for a firmer, spoonable mix

Steps

1. Stir pumpkin and peanut butter until smooth.
2. Mix in melted coconut oil. The mixture should be creamy but not runny. If loose, fold in oats.
3. Spoon into silicone molds/ice tray.
4. Chill until set (2–3 hours) or freeze 1–2 hours for a quicker firm‑up.

Serve: Tiny = 1 bite, Small = 1–2, Medium = 2–3, Large = 3–4 (adjust for the fat content).

Swaps & tips

• Lower‑fat: Skip coconut oil; use a spoon of oat flour or crushed plain Cheerios for body.
• Allergy‑friendly: Try peanut‑free dog‑safe butters (plain pumpkin alone will also set when frozen).
• Monty’s note: I press these extra‑thin so they snap easily into training‑size pieces.

Creator credit & further reading: Based on simple no‑bake mixes popularized by Eat the Gains.

3) Baked Pumpkin Biscuits (Crunchy or Soft)

Sometimes you want a jar of homemade dog biscuits that actually crunch (or stay soft for seniors—your call).

These baked pumpkin dog treats use pantry basics and behave nicely: the dough rolls well, cutters don’t stick, and you choose the finish—longer bake for crunchy dog cookie recipes, shorter for soft dog treats.

Gift them, stash them, dunk one in your pup’s snuffle mat (works a charm).

If you’re new to baking, start here. If you’re a pro, add oat flour for a gentler crumb or brush with egg for a glossy bakery look.

Best for: make‑ahead jars, giftable treats, training breaks.

Ingredients (yields ~40 small biscuits)

• 1 cup 100% pumpkin purée
• 2 tbsp xylitol‑free peanut butter (or 1 egg if omitting PB)
• 2–2½ cups (200–250 g) whole wheat flour or oat flour, as needed
• Optional: 1 egg (adds structure)
• Optional: tiny pinch ground cinnamon (skip for very sensitive dogs; never nutmeg)

Steps

1. Heat oven to 325°F / 165°C. Line a tray with parchment.
2. Stir pumpkin and PB (and egg, if using) until smooth.
3. Add flour gradually to make a soft, non‑sticky dough.
4. Roll to ¼‑inch thick. Cut small shapes.
5. Bake 20–25 minutes until set.
   • For crunchy: switch off oven, crack the door, and let biscuits dry inside 15–30 minutes.
   • For softer (senior‑friendly): bake on the low end and cool on a rack.

Serve: Tiny = ½–1 biscuit; Small = 1–2; Medium = 2–3; Large = 3–4.

Swaps & tips

• Oat flour version (gentler): blitz rolled oats in a blender.
• Wheat‑free: Use oat flour + a little extra egg or pumpkin to bind.
• Glossy finish: Brush with beaten egg before baking (optional, purely aesthetic).

Creator credit & further reading: Informed by baked pumpkin biscuits from vet‑led charities (PDSA), the ASPCA’s oat‑flour cookies, and reader‑tested versions like Allrecipes.

Quick comparison table (time • effort • budget)

Budget key: Low = pantry staples; molds/cutters optional.

Portion & storage cheat‑sheet

Storage

• Frozen cubes & no‑bake bites: Freeze up to 2 months in zip bags. Defrost in the fridge or serve straight from the freezer (supervise).
• Baked biscuits: Airtight jar up to 1 week, or freeze up to 2 months.

Serving (starting points)

• Tiny dogs (≤5 kg / 11 lb): 1 frozen cube or ½–1 small biscuit
• Small (5–10 kg / 11–22 lb): 1–2 cubes or 1–2 small biscuits
• Medium (10–20 kg / 22–44 lb): 2–3 cubes or 2–3 biscuits
• Large (20 kg+ / 44 lb+): 3–4 cubes or 3–4 biscuits

Adjust based on your dog’s weight, activity, and tummy. Keep all treats combined at ≤10% of daily calories.

Optional Halloween add‑on: The Pumpkin Cup (Frozen Enrichment)

Need a calmer evening on trick‑or‑treat night? Try this enrichment setup.

You’ll need: A KONG/Toppl or a lick mat, ½ cup pumpkin, spoon of yogurt or PB, and a few kibbles.

How to:

1. Mix pumpkin with a spoon of yogurt or PB.
2. Layer into the toy with a few kibbles for “treasure”.
3. Freeze 2–4 hours. Serve on a towel mat, supervised.

Why it helps: Licking + sniffing can take the edge off all that doorbell drama.

Final note from me (and Monty)

I’m a big believer in simple, evidence‑led homemade treats you can make on a Tuesday night.

If you try a batch, save this post to your Pinterest board and share your pup’s fave — I’m the one shooing a small white dog away from the cooling rack while pretending I’m in a cooking show..

Happy Pup‑kin season! 🎃🐾

Peek at our roundup post of 25 Easy & Healthy Homemade Dog Treats Your Pup Will Drool Over for more ideas!

FAQs About Easy Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats

About The Author

Andrea

Andrea — BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies grad and trainee in Dog Behavior & Canine Nutrition — turns nerdy research into bite-size, tail-wagging tips. Expect quick fixes, Westie-tested hacks, and just enough humor to keep the zoomies going. 🐾

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