Level up your pet parent game and make your fur baby these crunchy butternut squash dog treats! The vitamin-packed biscuits are tasty and nutritious.
If you’re looking for a go-to treat recipe that you know is good for your dog, then you just found it! Your pup will think they’re eating a cookie, but you’ll know they are eating their veggies.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As much as we love our dogs, most of us don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Thankfully, this recipe is super-easy and ready quickly. Just mix the ingredients, cut them out, and bake them. It really is that simple!
You’ll also love the combination of perfect fall flavors. Butternut squash and apple are full of gut-healthy vitamins and nutrients too.
Benefits of Butternut Squash for Dogs
Butternut squash is a nutrient-dense vegetable that’s fantastic for your furry friend. It’s a good source of fiber and is high in both vitamin A and vitamin C.
It’s also high in antioxidants that fight disease-causing free radicals. So it can help your pup stay healthier during those nasty cold months.
Read more about dogs and butternut squash.
Ingredients
The full recipe with exact ingredient amounts is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. First, I want to share some information about them:
- Butternut Squash – the star of the treats! Use fresh or frozen.
- Unsweetened Applesauce – adds moisture to the dough and natural sweetness.
- Eggs – bind the dough and add protein.
- Oat Flour – an easily digestible flour for dogs.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You can substitute the butternut squash with pumpkin puree or mashed sweet potatoes. Do not use pumpkin pie mix because it may contain spices that are toxic to dogs.
You can add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds for extra fiber.
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.
You can substitute brown rice flour, all-purpose flour, or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for the oat flour. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it’s not a good substitute to use by itself.
Equipment Needed
You probably have all the kitchen items needed to make the treats. Using dog paw cookie cutters makes them cute.
How to Make Butternut Squash Dog Treats
These are the recipe steps and some photos of making the treats. I hope they help you make them for your dog.
- If using frozen butternut squash, place it in a colander and run cold water over it until defrosted and softened. If using fresh butternut squash, boil or roast it until it is fork-tender.
- Place the butternut squash in a blender or food processor and process it. It does not have to be a smooth puree.
- Place the squash in a large bowl, add applesauce and eggs, and stir until well combined.
- Add the oat flour to the wet ingredient mixture. Stir to combine and form a dough.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Use a cookie cutter of your choice to cut out the treats. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut until all the dough is used.
- Place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Bake them at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet.
Tip: If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into squares or rectangles.
Serving Size
How many 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 considering 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, keep in mind when adding new foods to your dog’s diet to start with small amounts to ensure your dog has no allergic or adverse reactions.
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 butternut squash treats?
Yes, they sure can! All of the ingredients are safe for human consumption. They would be great cookies for folks watching their sugar intake. Give one a try, you may like it.
More Homemade Dog Treats
Do you want to make more tasty homemade treats for your spoiled hound? Try these recipes!
- Acorn Squash Dog Treats
- Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Beet Dog Treats
- Chia Seed Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats
- Sweet Potato Dog Treats
- Zucchini Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Butternut Squash Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butternut Squash Cubes fresh or frozen
- 2 Eggs
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 3 cups Oat Flour
Instructions
- If using fresh butternut squash, boil or roast it until it is fork-tender. If using frozen, place it in a strainer and run cold water over it until defrosted and softened.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Place the squash in a blender or food processor and blend. It does not have to be a smooth puree.
- Place butternut squash, egg, and applesauce in a medium bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add oat flour to the wet ingredients and combine until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and cut shapes using your favorite cookie cutter. Re-roll and cut as needed.
- Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Allow the baked treats to cool completely before removing them from the baking sheet.
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