The Trick to These Treats: They're All Healthy! Halloween Goodies for Dogs

Halloween is a fun time for everyone, including our furry friends. With all the spooky decorations, costumes and of course—candy, it's easy to get caught up in the sugar-filled fun. However, we do need to be mindful of how many sweets our furry friends are indulging in. While it's ok to give your dog a small Halloween treat, too many can lead to upset tummies, weight gain and other health issues. 

The good news? You can make your own dog-friendly Halloween treats right at home! These DIY snacks allow you to control the ingredients, so you can create tasty, tail-wagging goodies that are also nutritious for your pup. Read on for tips on homemade dog treats, portion control, seasonal recipe ideas and ingredients to avoid this Halloween.

Portion Control & Frequency 

While healthier than store-bought treats, you'll still want to limit your dog's indulgence in homemade goodies too.

Following general treat guidelines will help prevent weight gain or stomach issues:

• Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. Treats should add no more than 70 calories a day. 
• Aim for giving 3-4 small treats per day at most. 
• Substitute a homemade treat for a store-bought one to minimize excess calories. Don't give both!
• Look for our low calorie recipes made with veggies, fruits, yogurt and lean proteins. These provide more nutrients with fewer calories.
• Consider your dog's size. For example, a Chihuahua will need less treats than a Great Dane. Customize for your pup.

Follow these tips to make sure your furry friend enjoys yummy homemade snacks for Halloween (and beyond!) without overindulging. Moderation and portion control is key when giving any treats to pets.

 

                   

 

From Pup-kin Spice to Howl-o-ween Bites: Seasonal Dog Treat Recipes 

Capture the flavors of fall by making dog treats inspired by common Halloween and autumn foods. Your pup will lap up these tail-wagging bites packed with pumpkin, apples, peanut butter and more! Here are three simple recipes using classic seasonal ingredients that are also nutritious for dogs.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Paws

Creamy peanut butter and pumpkin combine perfectly in these cute bite-sized snacks.

Here's the simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
• 1⁄4 cup peanut butter (no added sugar)  
• 1 1⁄2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 egg  
• 1 tbsp honey (optional for extra sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. 
2. In a bowl, mix together the pumpkin purée, peanut butter, flour, egg and optional honey if using. Dough should form a stiff ball.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1⁄4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into fun shapes like pumpkins or bats.
4. Bake for 25 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool before serving.

These pumpkin peanut butter treats pack nutrition with vitamin A, fiber, protein and healthy fats while also providing the classic flavors of Halloween! Peanut butter satisfies a dog's sweet tooth without sugar. Pumpkin aids digestion with extra fiber. A tasty and healthy bite your pup will love!

Apple Cinnamon Bones

These apple-flavored bones are a crunchy, tangy seasonal snack. Applesauce adds moisture and binds the dough without excess fat or calories.

Here's how to make them:

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp cinnamon  
• 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions:  

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, applesauce, egg, cinnamon and baking powder. Knead into a soft dough.  
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough about 1⁄4 inch thick and cut into bone shapes. Or roll dough into a log and slice into rounds.
4. Bake for 30 minutes until lightly browned. Cool before serving. 

These apple cinnamon bones make a deliciously crunchy fall treat! Apples offer vitamin C and fiber. Cinnamon satisfies a dog's sweet tooth with natural flavor devoid of sugar. This tasty baked good captures the essence of autumn in a nutritious bone!

 

Witch's Brew Bone Broth Popsicles

These frozen pops will cool down your pup with a tasty, protein-rich treat. Bone broth is nutritious and soothing for doggy digestion.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups bone broth (chicken, beef or vegetable)
• 1 tbsp peanut butter   
• 1 mashed banana
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine all ingredients until smooth. 
2. Pour mixture into popsicle molds or small paper cups.
3. Freeze for at least 4 hours until solid.  
4. Twist molds to remove popsicles or peel away paper cups before serving.

Let your dog lick up these frozen bone broth treats! The bone broth provides hydration, minerals and collagen. Bananas give potassium and fiber. Peanut butter and honey add vitamin B and natural sweetness dogs love. A tasty and healthy homemade snack for Halloween!

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

Some key ingredients that show up in seasonal dog treat recipes have great health benefits for your pup.

Here’s a quick look at some of the nutritional value behind the flavors:

• Pumpkin – This classic fall squash provides vitamin A, potassium and fiber. The fiber aids healthy digestion to reduce chances of constipation or diarrhea. Pups usually love the mild sweet flavor too! Use plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix.  

• Peanut Butter – A longtime favorite treat ingredient for dogs! Peanut butter offers protein, vitamin B, vitamin E, niacin, magnesium and healthy fats. Look for all-natural peanut butter without added sugars or salt. Go easy on portion sizes as the fat can add up.

• Apples – Apples offer vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber and potassium. Dogs can eat apples raw or use applesauce in treats. Avoid apple seeds and stems as those contain trace amounts of cyanide.

• Cinnamon – This warming spice packs antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Always use cinnamon in small amounts as excess may irritate some dogs’ stomachs or airways.

So feel good about baking up these autumnally-inspired dog treats for your pup! Ingredients like pumpkin, apples, peanut butter and cinnamon not only capture seasonal flavor, but also provide great nutritional value.

The Verdict? Enjoy Homemade Dog Treats This Halloween!

Halloween is a fun holiday filled with costumes, decorations and of course—candy and sweets! While too many treats can negatively impact a dog's health and waistline, there's no need to ban treats entirely. In moderation, homemade snacks can be part of the seasonal celebration. 

To provide your dog with tail-wagging Halloween treats both safely and healthily, opt for homemade goodies where you control the ingredients. Choose dog-friendly flavors like peanut butter, pumpkin and apples combined with whole grains and natural flavors. Prevent tummy trouble or toxicity by avoiding chocolate, raisins, nuts, xylitol and other hazardous ingredients. 

Beware of These Ingredients! Making Safe Halloween Treats for Dogs

While it's fine to let your dog have a small nibble of your Halloween candy as a special treat, certain ingredients can cause major health issues for pups. Chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts and the artificial sweetener xylitol are some of the most hazardous ingredients for dogs around Halloween. 

Before doling out any candy to your four-legged friend, check the ingredients list carefully. You also want to ensure homemade treats don't contain anything potentially toxic. Here are some of the most dangerous food items for dogs to avoid around Halloween and how to safely bake treats:

Chocolate 

Chocolate contains methylxanthines like theobromine and caffeine, which dogs cannot metabolize well. Ingestion of chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, elevated heart rate, tremors, fever, seizures and even death. All forms of chocolate should be kept away from dogs.

Raisins and Grapes

While the exact cause is unknown, grapes and raisins can cause severe kidney failure and lack of urine production in dogs. Even a small amount can be extremely toxic.

Macadamia Nuts 

Macadamia nuts can also cause severe reactions even in small doses, including weakness, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia. 

Xylitol

This common artificial sweetener found in many candies and gums is extremely toxic to dogs. Low blood sugar, seizures and liver damage can occur. Check labels for xylitol in any sweets.

When baking homemade Halloween dog treats, avoid using any of these ingredients. Also beware of candy, gum, baked goods, nuts, and alcoholic treats around pets during Halloween. If you suspect your dog has ingested any of these toxic ingredients, call your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately. With prompt treatment, many dogs recover well.

Some Safer Treat Options:

Fortunately, there are many harmless and even healthy treat options to offer your dog during Halloween!

Here are some dog-safe ideas:

• Baked or dehydrated chicken/turkey strips  
• Freeze dried meat treats 
• Peanut butter (xylitol-free) biscuits
• Baby carrots 
• Apple slices 
• Plain popcorn 
• Veggie or fruit frozen in broth for "pupsicles"
• Plain cooked pasta or rice 
• Unsalted crackers 
• Slices of cooked potato or sweet potato
• Plain canned pumpkin or applesauce
• Dog biscuits or dental bones

Follow basic treat guidelines and steer clear of potentially toxic ingredients, and your dog can still enjoy the fun of Halloween treats! Use the ideas above and bake up homemade goodies so your pup doesn't miss out on the Halloween celebration.

When trick-or-treaters come to the door with costumed canines in tow, you can have some homemade healthy treats on hand to give the pups. Handing out Apple Cinnamon Bones

 or Pumpkin Peanut Butter Paws to visiting dogs makes them feel included in the Halloween fun and gives responsible pet parents a pet-friendly alternative to candy.