Homemade Doggie Treats: Your pooch will Give Thanks!

Pumpkin Pup Snacks

With Thanksgiving fast approaching and family gathering to feast on so many foods that smell absolutely delicious to your pet, but is also likely not very healthy for it, your pup can feel rather left out of all of the festivities.

The best cookie I've had in years. Thank you! – "Ninja"

Thankfully, fall is also a time for the main ingredient of this flavorful treat and it is not only safe, it is healthy, and your dog will love the taste. You can use fresh (baked and pureed), frozen, or canned pumpkin (plain, no pie spices added) so if you have leftover halloween decorations, or extra Thanksgiving pie ingredients, consider taking the time to pamper your pooch and make these quick and easy dog cookies that he will be sure to love.

Pumpkin Pup Snacks

The first step is to gather all of your ingredients and kitchen equipment. Now is the time to preheat your oven to 350 degrees. This is a double batch.

• 2 cups pureed pumpkin- plain

• 2 bananas- mashed

• 6 cups whole wheat floor- extra for dusting counter for rolling out dough

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon powder

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley- finely chopped **can substitute dried parsley using 2 tablespoons of parsley flakes

• 1/4 teaspoon ground dried ginger powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric powder

• 4 eggs

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, blend pumpkin and banana making sure to smooth out any lumps. Add your spices (cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, salt, and pepper) then add your eggs to the mix one at a time. Once fully incorporated, slowly add in the whole wheat flour, one cup at a time. Batter will be stiff and should form a ball. Dough can be made ahead of time and chilled until needed, just cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator over night.

3. Dust counter top and rolling pin, cookie cutters with whole wheat flour to prevent sticking. Roll out dough to desired thickness, around 1/8 inch thick- similar to human sugar cookies. Using cookie cutters for fun shapes, or a butter knife to make desired shapes, cut out your cookies and place them on the parchment covered cookie sheets, leaving room between each cookie for some slight expansion and so they will brown evenly.

4. Bake until the cookies have golden edges, approximately 20 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and set them in a baking rack for 10 minutes to cool. Voila! Your cookies are ready. Serve them right after or store them in an airtight container for up to 1 week.