When autumn arrived and Ethan’s tummy felt a bit off after long walks, I wanted a healthy, gentle, and truly tasty snack. These pumpkin & coconut treats became our go-to: five simple ingredients, light on calories, and friendly to sensitive stomachs. If you’re new to building a balanced snack routine, start with our primer Healthy Dog Treats – What Every Owner Should Know. And on weeks I don’t bake, I keep a tiny pouch of Fruitables Pumpkin Minis—they’re soft, light, and fit the same “healthy daily reward” idea.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
It’s the kind of bake that makes your kitchen smell cozy—warm pumpkin and a hint of coconut—yet it stays mindful of calories and ingredients. Ethan loves the crunch after cooling and I love the clean label: no fillers, no weird sweeteners. On training-heavy days we’ll rotate flavors with a store option like Fruitables Apple Bacon Minis for variety, and if we’re focused on reps, I’ll bring a small bag of Low Calorie Dog Treats (Apple & Carrots) to keep his intake tidy.
Ingredients (Simple & Natural)
| Ingredient | Amount | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Pure pumpkin purée | 1/2 cup | Fiber for gentle digestion |
| Coconut flour | 1 cup | Grain-free, low glycemic base |
| Coconut oil | 1 tsp | Supports skin & coat |
| Egg, beaten | 1 | Protein binder, structure |
| Oat milk or water | 1–2 tbsp | Moisture control |
New to DIY snacks? See our basics and safe swaps in the Homemade Dog Treats Guide.
How I Cooked It (Step by Step)
- Make the wet base. In a medium bowl, whisk pumpkin purée with the beaten egg and coconut oil until silky. If your pumpkin is very thick, loosen with a teaspoon of oat milk.
- Add the dry base. Sprinkle in coconut flour gradually. Stir until a soft dough forms—tacky but not sticky. Add tiny splashes of oat milk if it feels crumbly.
- Shape for even bakes. Roll dough between parchment to about 1/4 inch (6–7 mm). Cut into small bones or coins for quick, consistent baking.
- Bake to set. Transfer to a parchment-lined tray and bake at 325°F / 163°C for 22–25 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers feel set.
- Cool fully. Move to a rack and let them crisp as they cool. This improves texture and shelf life.
For heavy training days when I need a lot of tiny rewards, I’ll pack a soft, grain-free backup like Nulo Turkey Trainers so we can keep reps high without adding too many calories.
Healthy Dog Treats Recipe (Pumpkin & Coconut, Vet Approved)
- – Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spatula
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie cutter (bone or paw shape)
- Baking sheet + parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
- ½ cup pure pumpkin purée plain, unsweetened
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 –2 tbsp oat milk or water adjust as needed
- 1️⃣ Mix the wet ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, beaten egg, and melted coconut oil until smooth and creamy.
- 2️⃣ Add the dry ingredients – Gradually stir in coconut flour until the dough forms. If it feels dry, add a splash of oat milk or water.
- 3️⃣ Shape the treats – Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick, then cut into small bone or coin shapes.
- 4️⃣ Bake – Arrange on a lined baking sheet and bake at 325°F (163°C) for 22–25 minutes, until edges are firm and slightly golden.
- 5️⃣ Cool completely – Let the treats cool fully on a wire rack before storing to achieve a crisp texture and longer shelf life.
• Always use plain, unsweetened pumpkin — not pie filling.
• Coconut flour absorbs moisture quickly; add water slowly to reach the right dough consistency.
• For variety, rotate with store-bought light treats like
Fruitables Pumpkin Minis{:target=”_blank” rel=“nofollow sponsored noopener”} or
Blue Dog Bakery Trainers{:target=”_blank” rel=“nofollow sponsored noopener”}.
• If you don’t want to bake weekly, see our complete guide:
Healthy Dog Treats – What Every Owner Should Know{:target=”_blank” rel=“nofollow noopener”}.
Why These Ingredients Help
- Pumpkin brings fiber that helps regularity and satiety.
- Coconut flour is gentle and naturally low in digestible carbs.
- Coconut oil supports a shiny coat and healthy skin barrier in modest amounts.
- Egg adds complete protein and structure to the dough.
- Oat milk keeps the mixture soft without heavy fats.
On weeks we want a crunchy counterpoint, we’ll mix in a few pieces from Fruitables Grilled Bison—high-protein and portion-friendly.
Nutritional Breakdown (Approximate)
| Per Treat | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bone | ~2 g | ~1.5 g | ~5 g | ~45 kcal |
These sit right between low-calorie and nutrient-dense. If you prefer store alternatives with similar macros, skim our curated list in Best Healthy Dog Treats (Top Rated Picks).
Serving & Storage Tips
- Daily rhythm: most adult dogs do well with 3–6 small treats, spread across the day.
- Room temperature: airtight up to 5–7 days.
- Refrigerate: up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: up to 1 month; thaw before serving.
Travel days? I’ll pack a tiny tin of Blue Dog Bakery Perfect Trainers to pair with these pumpkin bites—both are light, clean, and easy to carry.
My Dog’s Reaction
Ethan parks himself by the oven the moment the pumpkin aroma drifts out. He gets one after our evening walk, sits extra straight, and wags exactly twice before taking it—every time.
What Vets Usually Say
Vets like that this recipe balances fiber (for gut calm) with modest fat (for skin & coat), and that portions are naturally small. For high-rep training periods, many families rotate DIY snacks with soft, low-calorie bites like Nulo Turkey Trainers to keep nutrition predictable across sessions. For broader shopping ideas, see Best Healthy Dog Treats.
Easy Variations
- Sweeter & softer: add 1/2 ripe banana, mashed.
- Omega-boost: sprinkle 1 tsp ground flaxseed into the dough.
- Summer twist: thin the batter with oat milk and freeze in silicone molds—see our Frozen Dog Treats (Yogurt & Blueberries) for workflow.
FAQ
Are pumpkin dog treats healthy to feed every day?
Short answer: Yes, in small portions. Details: Pumpkin brings gut-friendly fiber without added sugar, which makes it ideal for daily rewards. Balance total calories with meals and activity. If you need store backups with similar macros, browse our picks in Best Healthy Dog Treats.
Is coconut oil safe for dogs?
Short answer: In moderation. Details: A teaspoon across a whole batch helps coat and skin, but high-fat diets may need stricter limits. For ultra-light training sessions, consider soft, low-calorie alternatives like Nulo Turkey Trainers.
How many treats can I give per day?
Short answer: 3–6 small bones for most adult dogs. Details: Keep treats under 10% of daily calories and scale to size, age, and activity. For a crunchy commercial counterpoint, we like Fruitables Grilled Bison.
What’s the best way to store homemade dog treats?
Short answer: Airtight, cool, and dry. Details: Room temperature for a week, two in the fridge, and a month in the freezer. Cool fully on a rack before sealing. During travel, I add a handful of Blue Dog Bakery Perfect Trainers for convenience.
Are these safe for puppies or sensitive stomachs?
Short answer: Usually yes, if portions are small. Details: This recipe is built around gentle ingredients, but introduce new foods slowly and check with your vet for individual needs. If you need more background on healthy formulas, start with Healthy Dog Treats – What Every Owner Should Know.
Which Dogs Will Enjoy This Recipe
Great for: dogs on weight-conscious plans, pups with sensitive digestion, and shiny-coat routines. Use caution: confirmed coconut or egg allergies; always tailor portions to size, health, and your vet’s guidance.
Notes
No time to bake every week? We rotate with a few light, vetted options: Fruitables Pumpkin Minis, Blue Dog Bakery Perfect Trainers, and soft, grain-free Nulo Turkey Trainers. For store options by size and texture, see Best Healthy Dog Treats (Top Rated Picks).
Explore More
Final Thoughts
These pumpkin & coconut bites are the definition of healthy comfort—simple ingredients, cozy flavor, and easy portions. If your pup loves them, save this recipe for your next bake day and share your batch with us. Healthy doesn’t have to mean bland—just balanced.
