Treat your furry friend to these irresistible homemade turkey dog treats. Made with lean ground turkey, wholesome oats, and the goodness of pumpkin puree, these treats are a healthy and flavorful option for your pup.
Baked to perfection in adorable silicone molds, they’re not only tasty but also visually delightful. Your pup will wag their tail in anticipation every time you reach for these delicious treats!
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- Why You'll Love This Turkey Dog Treats Recipe
- Benefits of Turkey for Dogs
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes
- Flour Substitutions
- Equipment Needed
- How to Make Turkey Dog Treats
- Recipe Variations
- Serving Size
- How to Store Homemade Turkey Dog Treats
- How Long Do Homemade Turkey Treats Last?
- Can people eat these turkey dog treats?
- More Dog Treat Recipes
- Turkey Dog Treats
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Dog Treats Recipe
When you make homemade treats with natural ingredients, you’ll know confidently that you’re making food that is good for your pet. These tasty treats are a fantastic source of protein and the perfect way to cook something for your dog in your kitchen.
This time of year – the fall – it seems like the stores are full of pumpkin food. But what about turkey? Well, these are a great way to share turkey with your pet. These Thanksgiving dog treats are crunchy and bursting with flavors that dogs love.
So, if your pup begs for their own food while you are cooking, give them a healthy treat that’s good for them. With just five simple healthy ingredients, they are a lot healthier than store-bought dog treats.
Benefits of Turkey for Dogs
Turkey can offer several benefits for dogs when incorporated into their diet in moderation. However, it’s important to note that individual dogs may have varying reactions, so it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
- Turkey is a lean source of protein, which is essential for your dog’s overall health and muscle development.
- Turkey contains essential nutrients such as B vitamins (B6, B12, niacin), phosphorus, and selenium, contributing to your dog’s well-being.
- Turkey provides important amino acids that support your dog’s muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall immune system function.
- Skinless, cooked turkey meat is generally low in fat, making it a suitable choice for dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight.
- Turkey is often considered a novel protein source, which can be beneficial for dogs with food allergies or food sensitivities. Novel proteins are those that your dog hasn’t been exposed to before, potentially reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
Ingredients
Here’s a handy ingredient list. The exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. First, I want to share some information about the ingredients in this homemade turkey dog treats recipe. They are common ingredients found in regular grocery stores.
- Ground Turkey – The star of the treats!
- Pumpkin Puree – Healthy vegetable that goes with turkey so nicely.
- Egg – To bind the treats. Also adds protein.
- Oat Flour – One of the best flours to use for making dog treats.
- Old-fashioned Rolled Oats – For texture.
You’ll need to use organic ingredients if you want to make organic turkey dog treats.
Ingredient Notes
Do not use pumpkin pie mix because it may contain spices toxic to dogs.
Instead, use pure pumpkin puree to make this healthy snack.
These Thanksgiving turkey dog treats are made with oat flour. But you can save money on oat flour by making your own. Place uncooked old-fashioned oats in a blender or food processor and blending until it has the consistency of flour. Easy!
Flour Substitutions
When you make these dog treats and want to use different flours, there are a few things to keep in mind:
You can substitute all-purpose flour or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for the oat flour. The amount will have to be adjusted since those flours will cause the dough to have a different consistency. It will take less of those flours than oat flour. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it’s not a good substitute to use by itself.
You can substitute oat flour with rice flour or chickpea flour. If you use chicken pea flour, reduce the amount to 1 cup.
You cannot substitute coconut flour for oat flour because it will cause the treats to be too dry. Coconut flour absorbs moisture about twice as much as other types of flour.
You cannot substitute almond flour for oat flour because it will not absorb any moisture and the treats will fall apart.
Equipment Needed
You probably have most of the kitchen items you need to make these ground turkey dog treats. You can use any regular silicone candy mold, but a dog bone mold gives these treats a fun look.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Large Bowls
- Dog Treat Molds
- Baking Sheet or cookie sheet
How to Make Turkey Dog Treats
These are the recipe steps and some photos of making the treats. I hope they help you make this healthy turkey and pumpkin dog treats recipe! Note there’s a printable recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine the oat flour and oats in a medium mixing bowl.
- Place the turkey, pumpkin puree, and egg in a large bowl.
- Combine the wet ingredients. It’s easy to do this using your hands.
- Add the dry ingredients to the turkey meat mixture and combine everything.
- Press the dough into silicone molds. Place the molds on a cookie sheet to make it easy to transfer them in and out of the oven.
- Bake the treats for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown on the top and the internal temperature is at least 165°F. Bake time can vary depending on the size of the treats.
- Cool the baked treats to room temperature before removing the treats from the molds.
Recipe Variations
The best part of using simple ingredients is that it’s easy to make different varieties. Here are a few ways to change up this easy recipe.
- Turkey Bacon Dog Treats – Add 2 slices of cooked bacon chopped into small pieces.
- Turkey Cranberry Dog Treats – Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Turkey and Sweet Potato Dog Treats – Substitute plain mashed sweet potatoes for the pumpkin puree.
Serving Size
Even though they are good for your canine companion, they are still treats. You should give them to your dog as part of a full balanced meal. Only share small portions of the treats.
That means that small dogs should only eat one treat each day. Larger breeds can eat two treats each day.
How to Store Homemade Turkey Dog Treats
These treats should be stored in an airtight container or airtight bag. Because they are made with meat, they need to be refrigerated or frozen. Do not store them at room temperature.
How Long Do Homemade Turkey Treats Last?
These turkey treats will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator. They will last up to 4 months in the freezer.
Can people eat these turkey dog treats?
Yes, everything in the treats is safe for human consumption. However, I doubt folks would like them since they aren’t sweet or spiced in any way. But you can always give one a try and see if you like it.
More Dog Treat Recipes
If you enjoy making homemade dog treats, here are some great options:
- Baby Food Dog Treats
- Bone Broth for Dogs
- Chicken Jerky Dog Treats
- Cranberry Dog Biscuits
- Dog Gravy Meal Topper
- Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Thanksgiving Dog Treats
Find lots of recipes for meaty dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Turkey Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Oat Flour
- ½ cup Old-fashioned Rolled Oats
- ½ pound Ground Turkey
- ¼ cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1 Egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, combine oat flour and oats.
- In a separate large bowl, combine ground turkey, pumpkin puree and eggs.
- Add the flour mixture to the meat mixture and combine well.
- Place the dough in silicone molds. Place the molds on a cookie sheet for stability.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the baked treats from oven and cool them completely before removing them from the molds.
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