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    You are here: Home / Pets / Easy Homemade Dog Cookies

    Easy Homemade Dog Cookies

    November 2, 2015 Updated May 1, 2020 BySam 38 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    “If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them”  –Phil Pastoret

    Homemade Dog Cookies on wood board

    When my husband (then fiance) and I began hunting for our first home together, there was one thing I was even more excited about than the prospect of owning my first home–owning my first dog.

    My husband has a dog (a sweet, sensitive and relentlessly loyal mixed breed who deserves a post all to herself) and my family has always had dogs, but I’ve never had my own.  Despite the fact that some of them were dubbed “family dogs”, they were my mom’s dogs to the core–unflinchingly devoted to her, tolerating us children with tail wags and sloppy kisses but holding us in all the same esteem as they would a litter-mate.

    So, with each potential new-home walk-through I thrilled in the delight of what it might be like to have my own dog there.  Houses on busy streets where a dog might accidentally meander into traffic, houses with too-small backyards, or nowhere to go for walks, were nixed from the list without a second thought.

    We found a home that met our criteria and moved in immediately after the honeymoon.  Barely two months later, just before Christmas, I brought home (Princess) Leia.

    beautiful german shepherd dog

    She was a small, flop-eared bundle of black fur when I brought her home, the last-born of eleven puppies, so tiny that I worried constantly about tripping over her or taking my eyes off of her for longer than a heartbeat.  When she would curl herself around my feet as I stood at my counter over my KitchenAid I could relax knowing exactly where she was, and could do my baking without worrying about her making a mess on the only piece of carpet in our home or chewing something electrical.

    Now, 70 lbs later, she still wedges herself between my feet and the counter as I bake, an inconvenience I can’t bring myself to correct as she rarely begs (though each time I crack an egg her ears perk with hope that perhaps I don’t need the whole thing and a white or yolk might make its way into her food bowl).

    cutting out dog cookie dough with bone cookie cutter

    I couldn’t let her birthday pass without comment or commemoration, and so this weekend was spent making a recipe specifically for her–easy cookies made with dog friendly ingredients (you should always check with your vet first, and be mindful of any allergies your pet may have, such as an allergy to wheat).  

    They are not difficult to make with only 5 basic ingredients and an optional, easy peanut butter frosting.  After letting Leia taste-test a cookie from the first batch to make sure she approved, she wouldn’t leave me alone, trotting behind me and whining loudly for another as I snapped pictures.  Stamp of approval granted.

    homemade dog cookie shaped like pawprint 

    Leia enjoyed her dog cookies, but I can’t guarantee the same result in your human companions.  My mother remarked that they were “a bit dry” after a significant misunderstanding and a regrettably large bite.  Fortunately all ingredients used are human-grade and safe, so if you feel inclined to sample them yourself I won’t judge you, but I’m not interested.

    Dog cookies

    Homemade Dog Cookies

    Be aware of any allergies your dog may have before feeding, it can't hurt to check with a vet first!
    4.86 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: Sam Merritt

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup canned pumpkin
    • ½ cup creamy natural peanut butter MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT CONTAIN XYLITOL (I haven't seen a natural peanut butter that does but always check!), WHICH IS POISONOUS TO DOGS AND WOULD BE LISTED IN THE INGREDIENTS
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
    • 1 cup oats

    Frosting

    • ½ cup natural peanut butter
    • 2 ½ tsp whole wheat flour
    • 1 Tbsp water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
    • In KitchenAid or with electric mixer, beat together pumpkin, peanut butter, and eggs until combined.
    • Gradually add in whole wheat flour, and then oats.
    • Transfer dough to well-floured countertop or surface and dust with additional flour.
    • Knead gently/as needed until it forms a cohesive ball.
    • Use a rolling pin to roll dough out to ¼" thickness (if dough seems too sticky to roll, dust with more flour) and use a cookie cutter to cut into shapes (be sure to collect the scraps between the shapes and form them into a ball and re-roll out to cut into more cookies).
    • Use a spatula to transfer cookies to baking sheet and bake on 350F for 20-24 minutes.
    • Allow cookies to cool completely before serving or frosting.

    Frosting

    • In microwave, warm ½ cup peanut butter for 15 seconds (until it can be easily stirred).
    • Add water and stir well.
    • Add flour and stir.
    • While the "icing" is still warm, spread over cooled cookies. Re-heat for another 10 seconds if it becomes too difficult to spread.
    • The frosting will harden a bit as allowed to sit, but can be served to your dog at any time.

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

    german shepherd dog lying in grass

    “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”  –Roger Caras

    Easy Homemade Dog Cookies--Only 5 ingredients! SugarSpunRun.com
    « Pumpkin Spice Biscotti
    Salted Caramel Buttercream Candies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashlynn

      May 04, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      Hi! This recipe sounds amazing but my pup Keira is allergic to oats, how much would the treats change if I were to leave out the oats? Or does it make a difference?

      Reply
      • Sam

        May 06, 2022 at 2:52 pm

        Hi Ashlynn! I’m not exactly sure how it would turn out, but I do have another dog cookie you could try. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Amy

      February 12, 2022 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      I’m making these to take to my baby’s doggie day! On the list there was one or 2 dogs who had peanut butter allergies! Can you think of anything I can substitute in theirs for the peanut butter? Thanks you and my dog DITTY loves them!

      Reply
      • Sam

        February 15, 2022 at 8:59 am

        Hi Amy! Another nut butter that is pet friendly could work, but other than that I don’t really have any other suggestions. I hope the pups love them! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Tucker

      October 25, 2021 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      How long are they good for

      Reply
      • Sam

        October 26, 2021 at 1:19 pm

        Hi Tucker! I would say they should be good for about 2 weeks in an air tight container. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Janice

      July 24, 2021 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you very much for the recipe! Kip loves these cookies and his digestive tract loves them much more than store bought dog treats. I added grated carrot and apple to the latest batch. They freeze well.

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 25, 2021 at 9:53 pm

        I’m so glad Kip enjoyed them so much, Janice! Make sure to give him some pets from me. 🙂

        Reply
        • Janice

          July 27, 2021 at 12:18 am

          Done! <3

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    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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