Homemade Pumpkin Chunks (Dog Treats)

I started making these treats awhile back when we weren’t going out much for groceries. Our two little fur babies thought they needed a few treats every day just for looking cute. The treats are super simple to make with only 3 ingredients. This recipe calls for plain pumpkin (which I had in my freezer), however you can substitute a can of plain pumpkin puree, cooked butternut squash or sweet potatoes.

It’s recommended to offer treats when reinforcing good behavior (such as coming when called, sitting on command, etc during early training) or as a distraction from potentially naughty behavior. I also like to give them a treat when I send them to their crates when we have to go out or at night. Yes, I have trust issues with these two little dogs.

I hate to have to crate them when we have to leave, but they are smaller than the large dogs that roam around outside, they climb the fence to get out of the yard and I don’t trust them being left loose in the house. (See video below)

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Pumpkin Chunks

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned pumpkin puree, or cooked butternut squash or sweet potatoes
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups uncooked oatmeal
• Optional: 2 – 3 teaspoons nutritional yeast (a wonderful source of B vitamins trace minerals and antioxidants)

Directions

Mix the ingredients together well. I used a wooden spoon.

Fur babies love getting treats, but the size of the treat doesn’t matter so much, so try to keep them on the smaller side. I used a regular teaspoon and dipped out small amounts of dough, then flattened them a little. They are about as big around as a quarter and 1/4 to 1/2 tall.

Bake in pre-heated oven 375°F/190°C for 20 minutes.

Let cool thoroughly, then store in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Use with 2 -3 weeks. Extras can also be stored in the freezer for longer periods.

And for your Beagle entertainment…. (these are NOT my fur babies, but mine are every bit as ornery!)

These are my fur babies below! Daisy Mae and Huckleberry!