That half-used can of pumpkin in the fridge is about to become your dog’s favorite snack. These pumpkin dog treats need three ingredients: plain canned pumpkin, oat flour and one egg. Below: picking the right can, the method, a no-bake frozen version, biscuits per day by size, and storage.
Prep: 15 minutes • Bake: 20–25 minutes at 350°F (175°C) • Yield: about 36 small biscuits • Difficulty: Easy • Storage: counter 3–4 days, fridge 2 weeks, freezer 3 months
Each 1½-inch biscuit has roughly 18 calories, so they work as everyday rewards in small numbers.
Table of Contents
Check the Can First: Pumpkin Puree vs. Pie Filling
The two cans look almost identical, but only one belongs in a dog treat:
- Use: 100% pure canned pumpkin, where the ingredient list says just “pumpkin.”
- Skip: pumpkin pie filling or pie mix, which is sweetened and spiced. The American Kennel Club warns pie mix may even contain xylitol.
Fresh pumpkin works too: roast or steam the flesh and puree it. Skip the stem, the rind and any carved jack-o’-lantern that has been sitting out.
Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Treats
- ½ cup (about 120 g) plain canned pumpkin: brings moisture, color and fiber. Store-bought canned pumpkin for dogs is simply the same puree you’d bake with.
- 1 large egg: binds the dough so the shapes hold together.
- 1¼ cups (about 130 g) oat flour: mild and gentle on most stomachs. Make your own by blending rolled oats until powdery.
That’s it. No sugar, salt or spice is needed; dogs are drawn to the pumpkin and oats on their own.
How to Make the Biscuits, Step by Step
3-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Whisk the pumpkin and egg together in a bowl until smooth.
- Stir in the oat flour a little at a time until a soft dough forms. Add an extra tablespoon of flour if it is sticky.
- Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment to about 1/4 inch thick and cut shapes with a 1 1/2-inch cutter. Reroll the scraps.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until firm and dry on the bottom.
- Optional: turn off the oven and leave the tray inside for an hour so the biscuits crisp up.
Notes
No-Bake Pumpkin Dog Treats (Frozen Bites)
Short on time, or baking in a hot kitchen? This two-ingredient version takes five minutes plus freezing:
No-Bake Frozen Pumpkin Dog Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the pumpkin and yogurt together until smooth.
- Spoon into a silicone mini mold or ice cube tray, about 2 teaspoons per cavity.
- Freeze for at least 3 hours, then pop the bites out into a freezer bag.
Notes
The batch makes about 24 bites at roughly 4–5 calories each. For a dairy-free batch, swap the yogurt for mashed banana.
How Many Pumpkin Treats Can Your Dog Have?
The whole biscuit batch adds up to about 640 calories, based on USDA FoodData Central values for oat flour (~525), canned pumpkin (~41) and one egg (~72). That works out to roughly 18 calories per biscuit.
WSAVA guidelines keep treats to about 10% of daily calories. If these biscuits are the only treats of the day:
| Dog Size | Weight | Baked Biscuits Per Day | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | Under 10 lb | 1–2 | 18–36 kcal |
| Small | 10–25 lb | 2–3 | 36–54 kcal |
| Medium | 25–50 lb | 3–5 | 54–90 kcal |
| Large | 50–90 lb | 5–8 | 90–144 kcal |
| Giant | 90+ lb | Up to 9 | ~160 kcal |
Estimates for healthy adult dogs. Halve the count if your dog also gets other treats, and ask your vet about puppies or dogs on a weight plan.
Storage and Shelf Life
- Counter: fully cooled, crisp biscuits keep 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Fridge: up to 2 weeks. Softer biscuits should go straight in the fridge.
- Freezer: up to 3 months for biscuits; use frozen bites within about 2 months.
- Leftover pumpkin: move it out of the can into a covered container and use it within 3–4 days, or freeze it in spoonfuls.
Toss any batch that smells off or shows mold. Homemade treats have no preservatives.
Swaps and Add-Ins
- Different flour: whole wheat flour works if your dog tolerates wheat; chickpea flour gives a grain-free biscuit.
- No egg: use 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, rested for 5 minutes.
- Peanut butter twist: add 2 tablespoons of xylitol-free peanut butter for a four-ingredient biscuit, plus a splash more flour. Check the jar with our peanut butter label guide.
Keep pumpkin spice out of it. Pie spice usually includes nutmeg, which is toxic to dogs in larger amounts. Also skip chocolate, raisins and sugar-free sweeteners, since the FDA warns xylitol can cause a dangerous blood sugar crash in dogs. If your dog eats something risky, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Pumpkin Treats for Dogs: Quick Serving Guide
Do
- Buy 100% pure canned pumpkin
- Bake biscuits until dry and firm
- Count them toward daily treats
- Introduce pumpkin gradually
Don't
- Pumpkin pie filling or pie mix
- Pumpkin spice or nutmeg
- Sugar-free sweeteners
- Old carved jack-o'-lanterns
Every dog is different. Check with your veterinarian before adding new treats if your dog has a health condition or a sensitive stomach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pumpkin a laxative for dogs?
Not exactly. Pumpkin’s fiber absorbs water and adds bulk, so it can help firm up loose stool and also ease mild constipation. Fiber works best with plenty of water. If either problem lasts more than a day or two, see your vet.
Can I give my dog a spoonful of pumpkin every day?
Many healthy dogs do fine with a small daily spoonful of plain pumpkin, as long as it fits their treat calories. Introduce it gradually, and ask your vet before using it to manage an ongoing digestive issue.
Which is better for dogs, sweet potato or pumpkin?
Both are good choices. Plain pumpkin is lighter in calories, which suits treats you give often. Cooked sweet potato is starchier and denser; see our sweet potato guide for portions.
What’s the best flour for dog treats?
Oat flour and whole wheat flour are the most common picks. Oat flour is mild and easy to make at home, and chickpea flour suits grain-free recipes. Skip self-rising flour, which contains added salt and leavening.
What are the side effects of pumpkin for dogs?
Too much at once can cause gas, bloating or loose stool, mostly from the sudden jump in fiber. Start small, and stop if your dog’s stomach seems unsettled.
Find your next bake in our homemade dog treats guide, sorted into baked, frozen, meaty and holiday recipes.
The Bottom Line
Homemade pumpkin dog treats are about as simple as baking gets: pure canned pumpkin, oat flour and an egg, with a frozen yogurt version when you’d rather not turn on the oven. Read the can, skip the spice, and count biscuits toward your dog’s daily treat budget. Planning a celebration instead? Try our dog cake recipe, or browse every recipe in Homemade Treats. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- American Kennel Club (AKC) — Can pumpkin help with dog diarrhea
- WSAVA — WSAVA guidetotreats dogs 251107
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Paws xylitol its dangerous dogs