Prepared by Emily Fritz, one of WCC’s amazing service dog training instructors, this recipe for homemade dog treats is not only easy to make, but it’s also healthy and “Lab-approved!”  

The benefit of making homemade treats is that you know every single ingredient you’re feeding your dog. To make them for your furry friend, simply follow the instructions below. 

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling, just plain canned pumpkin) 
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (Make sure it does not contain xylitol or other sugar substitutes, as they can be toxic to dogs!) 
• 1 cup whole wheat flour 
• 1/3 cup shredded carrots 
• cinnamon to sprinkle on each cookie 

Directions 
1. Preheat oven to 300F.  
2. Combine all ingredients except the cinnamon in a bowl. 
3. Dust a clean surface with flour and knead the dough into a ball for a minute or two until all ingredients are evenly combined. Place the dough ball back in the bowl and let it rest with a damp towel covering the top of the bowl for about 30 minutes. 
4. Dust a rolling pin (or wine bottle) with flour and roll out the ball of dough to about1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut out shapes, rerolling the dough until gone.  
5. Sprinkle cinnamon on each cookie and place them on a cookie sheet, baking for about 20-30 minutes. 
6. Allow treats to cool completely on a cooling rack and store in the fridge to keep fresh.

We do recommend that you give treats to your dog in moderation, so he maintains a healthy weight. And it’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian if you have concerns about introducing new food or treats to your dog, particular ingredients, or even allergic reactions.  

Have a homemade dog treat recipe you’d like to share? Send it our way for a chance to have it featured in one of our upcoming stories! Feel free to share by dropping us a line at  communications@warriorcanineconnection.org