Healthy Fall Treats for Dogs: 5 Seasonal Recipes and Snacks

As the crisp air of autumn sets in, it's the perfect time to treat your furry friend to some healthy, seasonal snacks.

These ultimate homemade dog treats make the best of fall's bounty, so they will surely be a hit with dogs of all sizes. These recipes use wholesome ingredients like pure pumpkin puree, sweet potatoes, and apples to provide delicious flavors that dogs love while offering a range of health benefits.

Motivated by the exceptional quality of Volhard food, we've crafted the ultimate homemade dog treats packed with top-notch nutrition that your pets adore!

4 Benefits of Seasonal Ingredients for Your Dog

1. Natural and Fresh: Utilizing seasonal produce means your homemade dog treats are made with the freshest ingredients available, free from artificial flavors. Freshly harvested fruits and vegetables retain their nutritional integrity, providing your dog with the best possible diet. Seasonal produce is typically harvested at its peak ripeness, ensuring its highest nutrient density.
2. Variety in Diet: Introducing seasonal ingredients into your dog's diet adds variety and excitement. Whether it's pumpkin dog treats in the fall or sweet potato chews year-round, these tasty treats help keep your dog's diet exciting and balanced. This variety can also support a healthy microbiome, as different ingredients introduce diverse nutrients that promote gut health.
3. Cost-Effective: Seasonal ingredients are often more affordable during peak harvest. This makes it cost-effective for dog owners to prepare homemade dog treats like pumpkin and apple biscuits or peanut butter treats, ensuring your furry friend gets the best dog treats without breaking the bank.
4. Environmental Benefits: Using local, seasonal produce reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and storage. This eco-friendly approach benefits your dog's health and supports sustainable farming practices.

6 Tips to Safely Prepare Homemade Dog Treats

1. Choose the Right Ingredients: Always use safe, dog-friendly ingredients. Avoid toxic foods like chocolate, grapes, and certain nuts.
2. Measure Accurately: Using too much of certain ingredients can upset your dog's stomach.
3. Use Fresh and High-Quality Products: Fresh ingredients ensure better nutritional value and taste. Opt for ingredients like fresh pumpkin over pumpkin pie filling.
4. Bake Safely: Use a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
5. Storage and Shelf Life: Homemade dog treats lack preservatives, so they should be stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container and refrigerate if necessary to extend their shelf life. Always check for signs of spoilage before feeding them to your dog.
6. Avoid Overfeeding: Homemade treats are a great way to reward good behavior, but too many treats can lead to weight gain. Incorporate them as part of a balanced diet, and remember that these treats should complement, not replace, your dog's regular food.

Pumpkin and Turmeric Golden Treats

What better way to share the harvest with your furry friend than with these nutritious and flavorful pumpkin treats?

These treats combine the goodness of pure pumpkin puree and turmeric's healthy properties to create a deliciously nutritious snack. Packed with essential vitamins, they support your dog's digestive health, and their anti-inflammatory qualities aid in joint health, making them perfect for dogs of all ages.

This easy recipe uses alternatives to whole wheat flour, offering an alternative to support grain-free diets. Plus, with such few ingredients, they are gentle on sensitive stomachs!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups almond or coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Adding a little peanut butter enhances the flavor, making these treats irresistible to even the pickiest eaters!

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree and egg.
3. Mix the flour, turmeric, and cinnamon until a dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
5. Place the treats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm and golden.
7. Allow it to cool completely before serving it to your dog.

Pumpkin and Apple Biscuits

Treat your dog to the delightful taste of autumn with these pumpkin and apple biscuits! These delicious treats combine pure pumpkin puree's nutritional power and fresh apples with essential vitamins and fiber.

This easy recipe features almond or coconut flour, making it a tremendous wheat-free option for dogs with dietary sensitivities. The addition of ground flaxseed provides a boost of healthy fats, contributing to a shiny, healthy coat!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 apple, finely chopped or grated
• 2 cups almond flour or coconut flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the pumpkin puree, apple, and egg in a large bowl until well combined.
3. Add the almond flour, ground flaxseed, and honey (if using) to the mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface (using almond or coconut flour) and cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
5. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Allow it to cool completely before serving it to your dog.

Sweet Paw-tato and Carrot Chews

These chewy treats are made from just two simple ingredients: sweet potatoes and carrots, ensuring a nutritious and wholesome snack free from artificial flavors. Plus, they're easy to make and provide a delightful texture that dogs love, making them an ideal option for training treats or simply rewarding your dog.

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 large carrot

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F. This low-temperature baking method ensures that the natural nutrients are preserved.
2. Wash and peel the sweet potato and carrot.
3. Slice them into thin strips.
4. Arrange the strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 2-3 hours or until the strips are dried and chewy.
6. Allow it to cool completely before serving it to your dog.

Cranberry and Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies combine the wholesome goodness of almond flour and rolled oats with the antioxidant-rich benefits of unsweetened cranberries.

Almond flour and oats provide a great source of healthy fats and fiber, supporting your dog's overall health and digestion. Cranberries are delicious and packed with antioxidants, which help boost your dog's immune system and maintain urinary tract health.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour or coconut flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 egg

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Combine the almond flour, oats, and cranberries in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the applesauce, water, and egg.
4. Add the wet and dry ingredients to mix until a dough forms.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Flatten each cookie slightly with a fork. Use dog bone cookie cutters or other fun shapes to make treat time exciting.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Allow it to cool completely before serving it to your dog.

Peanut Butter and Banana Bites

Bananas are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, promoting your dog's overall health. Combined with low-sodium peanut butter, which is rich in healthy fats and protein, these treats provide an energy boost and support a shiny, healthy coat!

Adding organic rolled oats offers dietary fiber for good digestion, while chia seeds contribute beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, supporting joint health and a robust immune system.

Treat your furry friend to these delicious bites and watch them savor every bite!

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (make sure it's xylitol-free)
• 1 1/2 cups organic rolled oats
• 1/4 cup chia seeds

Preparation:

1. Combine the mashed banana and peanut butter in a large bowl until smooth.
2. Gradually add the oats and chia seeds, mixing until well incorporated.
3. Roll the mixture into small balls.
4. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to your dog.

Treat Your Dog to Some Healthy Autumn Meals!

Whether you're rewarding good behavior or simply treating your fur baby to something special, these homemade delights are an excellent choice for both small and big dogs.

For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, contact us and check out our blog!

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert canine nutrition coaches are now offering online consultations to help more dog parents discover why and how to feed their dogs the healthiest foods!

Speaking to a Volhard canine nutrition coach will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind.

If you want to contact one of our Volhard canine nutrition coaches, don't hesitate to access our consultation page!

References

1. Burg, Barbara. The Good Treats Cookbook for Dogs. Crestline ; Aurum Distributor, 2010.
2. Davidson, Ashley. "The Coziest, Tastiest Fall Recipes to Make Your Furry Best Friend." BeChewy, Chewy, 22 Sept. 2022, be.chewy.com/fall-recipes-for-pets/. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
3. Moutsopoulos, Diana. "5 Fall-Inspired Dog Treats for Your Furry Friend." Allrecipes, Allrecipes, 22 Aug. 2021, www.allrecipes.com/gallery/dog-treat-recipes-for-fall/. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
4. Woodford, Rick, and Alicia Dickerson Griffith. Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2021.

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