Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin?
Besides being a significant source of nutrients and fiber, pumpkin is the perfect food for dogs with upset stomachs. Notably, dogs can consume fresh or frozen pumpkin dog treats or raw pumpkin (skinless). However, pureed pumpkin is easier to digest, especially when used to make dog treats or added to a dog’s meal.
Let’s talk more about pumpkin frozen dog treats and how you can make them at home.
Can You Freeze Canned Pumpkin for Dogs?
Perhaps you opened a can of pumpkin thinking you would have time to make frozen pumpkin yogurt dog treats and got busy with life. If so, you have an open can of pumpkin and no idea what to do with it for whatever reason.
Notably, opened canned pumpkin can stay in a refrigerator for about five days, maybe a week. However, freezing canned pumpkin is the best way to store it longer. Also, there’s a better way than just throwing it in Tupperware and storing it in the freezer.
How to Freeze Pumpkin Cans
Are you wondering how to keep your canned pumpkin dog treats frozen? If so, let’s explore the process.
Notably, freezing canned pumpkin (and most foods, for that matter) requires portioning it into predetermined freezer bags. In this manner, it will defrost more quickly since it won’t freeze in a massive block, and you can thaw as much or as little as you need.
There are several ways to go about this, based on what best meets your needs:
Freezer Bags
You can freeze one-cup portions flat on a baking sheet in small zip-top freezer bags. Once solid, you can stack the bags to save space. Afterward, you can thaw one bag at a time.
Notably, a quart-sized freezer bag can hold a 15-ounce (425.2-gram) can of pumpkin if you anticipate freezing the entire can simultaneously.
Muffin Tins
You can freeze small half-cup portions of canned pumpkin in a muffin tin. Simply place half a cup of the puree into each muffin tray space, then freeze. Once solid, take the portions from the tray and put them in a freezer bag.
Even though this method saves plastic, sometimes it is challenging to remove the dog treats from some parts of the tray after freezing. However, using silicone trays or muffin cups is one way to make the release process easier.
Ice Cube Tray
You can freeze a few tablespoons of canned pumpkin in an ice cube tray. They are the ideal portion sizes for our canine companions and crack like ice. Additionally, silicone molds for ice cubes are also effective. Afterward, you can move the cubes to a freezer bag to save room and store them for longer.
Avoid using a can regardless of whatever method you decide on for freezing pumpkin. You will have an explosion on your hands when the puree freezes because it will expand.
No-Bake Three-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Treats
Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Serving size: 15
Prep time: 10 minutes
Freezing time: 4 hours
Nutritional Facts/Info per Serving
- Calories: 9 kcal
- Fat: 0.007 ounces (0.2 grams)
- Cholesterol: 0.000001 ounces (0.04 milligrams)
- Sodium: 0.00014 ounces (4 milligrams)
- Potassium: 0.00063 ounces (18 milligrams)
- Carbohydrates: 0.04 ounces (1 gram)
- Fiber: 0.007 ounces (0.2 grams)
- Sugar: 0.04 ounces (1 gram)
- Protein: 0.04 ounces (1 gram)
- Vitamin A: 1,275IU
- Vitamin C: 0.000001 ounces (0.4 milligrams)
- Calcium: 0.0004 ounces (11 milligrams)
- Iron: 0.000004 ounces (0.1 milligrams)
Equipment Needed
- A medium-sized bowl
- A spoon
- A silicone dog treat mold or an ice cube tray
Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
Directions
- Thoroughly blend the yogurt, pumpkin, and turmeric in a medium-sized bowl.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone dog treat mold or an ice cube tray.
- Freeze your three-ingredient pumpkin dog treats for a minimum of four hours.
Notes
- The mold size will determine how many treats you will make.
- Before giving your dog any new foods, see a veterinarian.
- Variations might arise due to multiple factors, such as the accessibility of products and the method of preparing the dog treats.
Frozen Yogurt and Pumpkin Dog Snacks
Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Freezing time: 4 hours
Equipment Needed
- A silicone dog treat mold
- A small cookie sheet
- A small bowl
- A stirring spoon
- A plastic bag or Tupperware
Ingredients
- Non-fat plain yogurt
- Pumpkin puree
- Water (optional)
Note: Simply combine yogurt and pumpkin in equal parts or adjust to fit what you have on hand.
Directions
- Make sure your freezer is level so that you can set the treats.
- Place your silicone mold onto a small cookie sheet to make transferring it from the counter to the freezer easier.
- Combine the yogurt and pumpkin puree in a small bowl.
- Give it a quick stir to incorporate.
- Expert advice: If you wish to stretch your mixture, add water.
- Fill molds, then freeze for solidification.
- Take the candies out of the mold and store them in a plastic bag or Tupperware.
Dog Treat Variations
The following are alternative ingredients you can use to make frozen dog treats with pumpkin:
- Use cinnamon instead of turmeric.
- Stir in natural peanut butter. However, be sure it has no xylitol, as it is highly toxic to dogs. Added sugar should also be avoided.
- A lactose-intolerant option for dogs is coconut yogurt.
How Many Frozen Dog Treats Can I Give My Dog?
Pumpkin frozen dog treats should be a part of your dog’s daily calorie allowance, just like any other dog treats. So, one or two a day is sufficient, in our opinion.
The Benefits of Making Dog Treats at Home
While your neighborhood store probably has a wide variety of treats available, are you aware of the advantages of making homemade treats for dogs? If not, let’s explore them:
Saving Money and Time
Making homemade dog treats at home using cheap, locally available ingredients is simple. It saves money and time you could have spent hopping from one pet food store to another looking for commercial dog treats.
Healthy Ingredients Without Fillers
When reading the ingredients list on a package of treats for your pet, have you ever had trouble pronouncing words? Then you’re not alone! Notably, although certain brands perform admirably in providing premium ingredients, numerous others fall short.
So, when you can prepare a healthier alternative at home, why pay for a treat loaded with fillers? Making dog treats at home restricts preservatives, fats, and other chemicals that might be present in the commercial varieties.
Dog Treat Customization
Just as no two pets are alike, so are their dietary and medical requirements. Fortunately, you can tailor-make your homemade treats for your pet, including frozen pumpkin dog treats without yogurt.
This move applies whether you’re trying to accommodate a food allergy or intolerance or want to take advantage of the nutritional advantages of a particular ingredient.
Prioritizing Safety
The potential for a recall is one of the main dangers of buying commercial treats. Notably, there are often social media alerts claiming that a particular brand of pet food or treat has killed or seriously sickened someone’s cherished animal companion. However, these issues frequently remain un-alarming until a close family’s pet suffers.
Sometimes, some companies quickly remove their products from the shelves and release news briefs about the recall. In contrast, others try to conceal the problems or refute the accusations to protect their finances.
By making your dog treats at home, you can eliminate risk and stop worrying about which brands to trust or taking chances!
It’s Fun!
Making homemade dog treats is a great activity for the whole family, including the dogs, which is one of the best reasons to do it. Interestingly, many cook and bake simply for enjoyment, producing elaborate meals, cakes, and pastries for their families. So, why not apply the same logic to household pets as well?
To ensure success, list a few enjoyable recipes you’d like to try and dedicate quality time to them.
Our Top Tips for Making Frozen Pumpkin Treats at Home
Here are some tips for making homemade frozen pumpkin dog treats:
- Use plain canned pumpkin: Make sure the pumpkin is 100% pumpkin puree without added sugars, spices, or seasonings.
- Check ingredients are dog-safe: Double check ingredients like Greek yogurt, peanut butter, or puréed fruits are safe for your dog before using them.
- Use fresh pumpkin: A neglected pumpkin, such as one used for fall décor, can harbor bacteria and mold that can harm your dog. So, always use fresh pumpkin.
- Puree or mash ingredients: For a smooth texture, purée or mash the pumpkin with the other ingredients and leave some small bits for texture.
- Include healthy add-ins: Because pumpkin is versatile, you can make savory and sweet dog treats using various other ingredients. So, add carrots, sweet potatoes, or bananas for extra nutrients. Or try oats, chia seeds, or shredded coconut for crunch.
- Don’t over-spice: Only add some ginger, cinnamon, or turmeric for flavor. Too much spices can upset a dog’s stomach.
- Use silicone molds: For easy removal, pour or spoon the mixture into silicone treat molds before freezing.
- Freeze completely: Place filled molds on a baking sheet and freeze until the treats are solid, usually at least four hours.
- Prevent freezer burn: Transfer treats to an airtight container or bag for storage once frozen. They’ll stay frozen for two to three months.
- Thaw before serving: Always thaw frozen pumpkin dog treats in the refrigerator or at room temperature before feeding to prevent dental issues.
In Conclusion…
The simple and nutritious frozen treat recipe options we discussed will make satisfying your puppy’s pumpkin cravings easier. So, to see your four-legged friend’s smiles and tail wag, prepare some frozen pumpkin peanut butter cups, pumpkin yogurt drops, or pumpkin bacon bites, among others.
Now is the perfect opportunity to treat your dog to a tasty, nutritious, artistic pumpkin creation. Remember, dogs often beg for second helpings of these delicious frozen treats. So always watch out and resist the urge to be overly giving at all times!
