“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
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.
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).
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.
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.
Homemade Dog Cookies
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
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.
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” –Roger Caras
Patty
The dog treats went over great. really good recipe
Mary
I have frozen mashed pumpkin from Halloween in my freezer, would it work for this? I am thinking these are all delicious for pet owners too?
Sam
Hi Mary! The frozen pumpkin should work. Pet owners could eat these but I’m not sure I would recommend them.
Maya
I tried making these for valentines treats and they turned out amazing. Fun tip: you can boil some beets and use them as coloring to make them pink or red. I also cut them into little heart shapes. They turned out so amazing!!
Sam
That is so awesome! Thanks for the tip, Maya! 🙂
Allison
My dog has a chicken allergy. Do you have any recommendations for an egg substitute?
Thank you for all your awesome recipes!! My family loves them… hopefully our dog will get to enjoy this one as well.
Sam
Hi Allison! You could try applesauce, or mashed bananas. The cookies may be a little more crumbly but I’m sure your pup won’t mind. 🙂
Yvonne
Try making these for your or your neighbours pooches for Thanksgiving—Halloween–Christmas and Easter as pooches love to join in all our family celebrations!!!! I also add 1 teaspoon of dried parsley as it is good for their breath. Our furry pets may not be human but they are always there for
us in good times and the not so good!!!! We have a little doxie and he is loved to the moon and back!
Love you beautiful Leia!!!!
Thank you for your reciepe you have made many pooches happy today (on my way out to pick up three fresh pie pumpkins peel– seed– and steam them– portion and freeze extra for more pup cookies)!!!!!
Happy Holidays to all pup
Benny
Sam
That is such a great idea! Dogs are the best. 🙂
Midnight
Dogs might get into some trouble just like kids but we wil never stop loveing them
Sam
They are the best. 🙂
Kaci
Genius! How long are these good for if sitting out in a bag?
Sam
Hi Kaci! I usually recommend using within 2 weeks just to be safe.
Aliyah
I am on a mission to make all your recipes since those amazing pumpkin muffins haha. Question.. is WHOLE WHEAT flour mandatory??? And if so, how come?
Sam
Hi Aliyah! All-purpose (plain) flour would work just fine instead of whole wheat flour. I hope your pups love the cookies! 🙂
Annie
Wow! What a magnificent dog!
Sam
Thank you so much! She is such a sweetheart. 🙂
Ann Nell
Oh my goodness ! What a beauty she is ! I always wanted a German Shepherd. Aren’t dogs the greatest comfort and companions ? !!
Sam
Thank you so much! She is my baby, they really are just the best! <3 🙂
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four
Aww your dog is so beautiful, Sam! Dogs are the very best. When I graduated college, I was so excited to get my own dog in my own place. I can’t imagine life without my best buddy now :p Your cookies look great! I’m sure mine would scarf those down too! :p
Sam
Thank you so much, Beeta! Dogs really are the best, aren’t they? And thank you! 🙂
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction
Leia is so beautiful! I bet she enjoyed them treats for her birthday 🙂 I’m definitely making these for Kiba’s birthday this month!
Sam
Thanks so much, Marsha. She definitely did love them! 🙂
Adina
It would be fun to make these for my mother-in-law’s Aaron, she loves her dog more than anything in the world, I think. But I am sure she never thought of actually making biscuits for it. I even think Aaron was born sometimes in winter, so I could actually make him a present this year.
Sam
How perfect! Thanks, Adina! 🙂
Meagan @ The F&B Department
I love these!!!! I don’t currently have a dog (apartment living *sigh*), but I’ve been looking for an awesome dog cookie recipe for friends with four-legged loves. By the way, making homemade dog cookies to celebrate your pup’s birthday qualifies you as the best dog owner ever. Happy birthday to Leia!!!
Sam
Haha, thanks so much, Meagan!! 🙂
Amanda
I love that you made these for your dog’s birthday! And she looks so sweet! What a great idea.
Sam
Thanks so much, Amanda!