Wondering how to feed your furry friend acorn squash? Make these healthy acorn squash dog treats! They taste like biscuits, but give your dog the nutrition they need.
These homemade dog treats are as easy to make as cookies, and so good for your fur baby. As an overprotective dog owner, I love knowing I’m making healthy dog treats – and you’ll love it too!
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Why You and Your Dog Will Love These Treats
Are you looking for ways to improve your dog’s diet? These treats have fiber which is good for your dog’s digestive system. They are also dairy-free and gluten-free.
You’ll love how much fun it is to bake treats for your dog. It’s even more rewarding when you know they are good for your dog’s health. Yup, these crunchy cookies are good for your furry best friend! This is one of the best ways to give your pet a healthy treat that’s like a multivitamin.
Benefits of Acorn Squash for Dogs
Acorn squash is so good for dogs! It’s high in fiber, which is good for their gut health. But it’s also really high in vitamin C (which is good for their immune system).
This winter squash is full of antioxidants that fight free radicals in your dog’s cells. See? This special treat is a great addition to your pup’s treat time.
Read more about dogs and acorn squash.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these treats. Here’s a quick list and some information on each one. The exact measurements and nutritional value are in the printable recipe card below.
- Acorn Squash – The star of the treats!
- Oat Flour – An easily digestible flour for dogs.
- Eggs – Add protein and binds the dough.
- Coconut Oil – One of the best healthy fats for dogs.
- Coconut Milk – To add moisture to the dough. Also has healthy fats and nutrients.
- Cinnamon – For flavor.
- Ginger – For flavor.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
One great thing about this recipe is you can customize it to fit your dog’s taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are some ways to do this:
Use a different type of winter squash like butternut squash, delicata squash, or pumpkin. You can also use plain pumpkin puree or mashed sweet potatoes.
Egg Free – Make flax eggs by mixing 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
You can make oat flour by placing uncooked old-fashioned oats in a food processor or blender and blending until it has the consistency of flour. One cup of oats makes about 3/4 cup of flour.
You can substitute the oat flour with all-purpose flour or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it’s not a good substitute to use by itself.
How to Make Acorn Squash Dog Treats
Making these treats is so simple! These are the recipe steps and some photos of making them. I hope they help you make these squash treats for your dog.
- Cut the acorn squash in half. Scoop out the stringy pulp and squash seeds.
- Place the squash cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the squash at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until it is fork-tender. Let it cool.
- Scoop out the flesh and mash it with a fork.
- Put the mashed squash in a bowl with eggs and coconut oil. Stir until combined.
- Combine oat flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients mixture.
- Stir until a dough forms, adding just enough coconut milk until it is a good rolling consistency.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface and use a dog treat cookie cutter to cut out the dough.
- Place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Let the treats cool on the baking sheet.
Recipe Tips
Acorn squash is hard and difficult to cut through. Be sure to use a heavy sharp knife, a chef’s knife or santoku knife is best.
Place the cutting board on a kitchen towel or rubber mat to help prevent it from moving while you’re slicing the squash.
Clean and roast acorn squash seeds like you would do with pumpkin seeds. Grind them up and sprinkle them on top of your dog’s food or use them in treats.
If you don’t have cookie cutters, use a knife or pizza wheel to cut the dough into small pieces.
Frozen Acorn Squash Dog Treats
There’s no need to let the extra mashed acorn squash go to waste! Make some frozen dog treats with it. Here’s how:
- Measure the mashed squash.
- Combine it with the same amount of plain Greek yogurt.
- Put the mixture into silicone dog treat molds or ice cube trays.
- Freeze until solid.
- Transfer the frozen treats to a plastic freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
- Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Size
How many of these homemade treats should you give your canine companion? That depends on the amount of food you gave your pet to eat that day and the size of your dog. Large dogs can consume more than smaller dogs.
Treats should be included when you consider your dog’s daily caloric intake. Make sure you don’t exceed the recommended amount for your dog. That amount changes for each dog breed, size, and activity level.
I suggest only giving your spoiled hound one treat per day. However, you can use your judgment or consult with your veterinarian regarding how many treats are right for your dog.
Also, start with a small amount when adding any new food to your dog’s diet to ensure your dog has no allergic or negative reactions such as stomach upset.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 1 week.
For longer storage, you can freeze the treats in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Can people eat these treats?
Yes, they most certainly can. All the ingredients are safe for human consumption. Give one a try and see if you like it.
More Dog Treat Recipes
Do you want to make some more homemade dog treats for your spoiled hound? Try these recipes:
- Butternut Squash Dog Treats
- Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Oatmeal Cookies
- Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Zucchini Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Acorn Squash Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cut the acorn squash in half, scoop out and discard the stringy pulp and seeds. Place the halves cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until tender. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.
- Scoop the flesh into a bowl and mash well with a fork. Place 1/2 cup of mashed squash, eggs, and coconut into a separate bowl. Stir until combined and smooth.
- In another bowl, combine the oat flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Add flour mixture to the wet ingredient mixture and combine into a dough. Mix in enough coconut milk as needed to create the right dough consistency for rolling.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough until about 1/3″ thick.
- Use a cookie cutter to cutout the dough. Gather the scraps and re-roll and cut as necessary until all the dough is used.
- Place the cutouts onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes. Remove the treats from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
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