Halloween is a tricky night for dogs. The house fills with candy they can’t have, the doorbell rings nonstop, and someone keeps putting a hat on them.
These two Halloween dog treats give your dog something of their own: crunchy Pumpkin Bones and no-bake Boo Bites shaped like little ghosts. Between the two recipes, you need just seven ingredients.
Why make your own?
Store-bought Halloween dog treats are often loaded with colorings and sugar. Homemade ones let you control exactly what goes in.
- Short ingredient list you can actually read.
- No added sugar or salt.
- Easy to adjust if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
- Fun to make with kids, who can cut out the bones and shape the ghosts.
The seven ingredients
Check two labels carefully before you start. They matter more than anything else here.
- Pumpkin puree: plain, 100% pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling has sugar and spices like nutmeg, which isn’t safe for dogs.
- Peanut butter: make sure it has no xylitol (sometimes listed as “birch sugar”). Xylitol is very dangerous for dogs. Unsalted is best.
- Eggs
- Whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
- Rolled oats
- Plain Greek yogurt: unsweetened, with no artificial sweeteners.
- Blueberries
Recipe 1: Pumpkin Bones
Crunchy, sturdy and easy to store. This batch makes about 30 medium bones, depending on your cutter.
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons xylitol-free peanut butter
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, plus a little for rolling
- A splash of water, only if needed
Steps
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Whisk the pumpkin, eggs and peanut butter in a big bowl.
- Stir in the flour a little at a time until a stiff dough forms. Add a spoonful of water if it’s too crumbly.
- Roll the dough about 1/4 inch thick on a floured counter.
- Cut out bones (or pumpkins, or bats) and space them on the tray.
- Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until firm and dry.
- For extra crunch, turn off the oven and leave the bones inside for an hour to dry out.
Small dog? Use a mini cutter or snap the bones into pieces after baking.
Recipe 2: Boo Bites
Little no-bake ghosts with blueberry eyes. They’re soft, so they’re good for puppies and older dogs with sensitive teeth. Makes about 20.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
- 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
- A handful of blueberries
Steps
- Pulse the oats in a blender for a few seconds so they’re finer. Optional, but the bites hold together better.
- Mix the oats, pumpkin and peanut butter into a thick dough.
- Roll into small balls, then pinch one end into a little ghost tail.
- Dip the top of each ghost in the yogurt and set it on a parchment-lined tray.
- Cut blueberries into tiny pieces and press two in as eyes.
- Freeze for an hour, or until the yogurt coat sets.
Serve them straight from the freezer or let them soften for a few minutes.
Tips for treats that turn out right
A few small things make a big difference with dog treats.
- Roll evenly. Thin edges burn while thick middles stay soft.
- Keep the sizes the same on each tray so everything bakes at the same pace.
- Let the bones cool completely before you store them. Warm treats sweat and go moldy.
- Work fast with the yogurt. Dip, add the eyes, and get the tray into the freezer.
How many treats can your dog have?
Even healthy treats add up. A common guideline is to keep treats to about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
- Small dogs: one Boo Bite or half a bone is plenty.
- Medium dogs: one or two a day.
- Large dogs: two or three.
Trying something new? Start with one piece and watch for an upset tummy. If your dog has allergies, a sensitive stomach or a health condition, ask your vet first.
Storage
- Pumpkin Bones: airtight container on the counter for about a week, or the fridge for two. Freeze for up to three months.
- Boo Bites: keep them in the freezer in a sealed bag or box. Use within a month.
- Label the container “dog treats” so nobody grabs one with their coffee.
If a bone ever gets soft or smells off, toss it. Homemade treats have no preservatives.
Easy variations
Want to switch it up? These swaps all stay dog safe.
- Sweet potato bones: use plain cooked, mashed sweet potato instead of pumpkin.
- Apple bones: add 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce with nothing else added.
- Banana Boo Bites: swap the pumpkin for mashed ripe banana.
- Different shapes: cats, bats, pumpkins or tiny gravestones.
Skip food coloring. Pumpkin is already the perfect Halloween orange.
Keep Halloween candy out of reach
The real danger on Halloween is the candy bowl. Keep it up high, and remind kids not to share.
- Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate.
- Sugar-free candy and gum with xylitol.
- Raisins, including chocolate-covered ones.
- Wrappers and lollipop sticks, which can cause choking or a blockage.
If your dog eats any of these, call your vet or an animal poison hotline right away. Don’t wait for symptoms.
Make the night calmer for your dog
Treats help, but a quiet space helps more.
- Set up a cozy room away from the front door with a bed and water.
- Give a Boo Bite in a puzzle toy to keep them busy while the doorbell rings.
- Check that your dog’s ID tag is on in case they slip out an open door.
Dressing up your dog too? Here are some DIY dog Halloween costumes you can make in 10 minutes. And for the next big day, try our dog birthday cake recipe.
Common questions
Is canned pumpkin safe for dogs?
Plain canned pumpkin is fine in small amounts. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which has sugar and spices.
Can I use regular peanut butter?
Yes, as long as it has no xylitol. Unsalted, with just peanuts on the label, is ideal.
Can puppies eat these treats?
Most puppies can have a small piece. The soft Boo Bites are easier for young teeth.
Can I make these wheat-free?
Yes. Swap the whole wheat flour for oat flour. The bones come out a little softer.
How long do homemade dog treats last?
Crunchy bones keep about a week at room temperature. Frozen Boo Bites last about a month.
Halloween Dog Treats: Pumpkin Bones and Boo Bites
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Whisk the pumpkin, eggs and peanut butter in a big bowl.
- Stir in the flour a little at a time until a stiff dough forms. Add a spoonful of water if it's too crumbly.
- Roll the dough about 1/4 inch thick on a floured counter.
- Cut out bones (or pumpkins, or bats) and space them on the tray.
- Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until firm and dry.
- For extra crunch, turn off the oven and leave the bones inside for an hour to dry out.
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