Dogs are said to be man’s best friend and everyone wants to spoil their dogs once in a while. If you are looking for a way to pamper your pooch, here is a very simple dog treat recipe you can make with just five ingredients. 

Ingredients

For this recipe you will need peanut butter, pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour, eggs and cinnamon. 

Safety note: When it comes to peanut butter, most dogs enjoy it and it is usually okay for them to eat. However, be sure that your peanut butter does not contain Xylitol, a sugar-free sweetener. This is very toxic to dogs and can cause seizures, liver failure and in the worst cases, death.

Directions

The measurements for this recipe are not exact; the main thing you want is for the dough to be easy to manage. Think of it being the texture of cookie dough: easy to shape and a little sticky. In order for this to be a tasty treat for your dog, try and add the least amount of flour possible in order to maximize the flavor. 

Once you have the dough made, the rest is simple. You can use a cookie cutter to shape the cookies or you just roll them into circles if you like. The size of the cookie is up to you, depending on what you think your dog will like. After you roll them out, put them onto a baking sheet.

Bake times also vary, depending on the texture you think your pup will enjoy. As a reference point, start at 20 minutes and then go up if you want them to be more on the crispy side. 

As they cool, they tend to become a bit more crunchy as well. 

In terms of storage, they keep best in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They tend to keep for about two weeks. 

If you want them to last even longer, you can freeze them. In the freezer they can keep for up to six months. 

Dogs provide their owners with so much love on a daily basis and it is important that they are shown the same love in return. These treats may be a great way to show them how much you appreciate them. 

Sasha Anand is a third year Literature and Writing major and Spanish minor. She aspires to pursue a writing  or teaching career in the future. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing and spending time with her family and friends. This is her third year working with The Cougar Chronicle.