Pumpkin Puree for Dogs: Best Homemade Recipe & Benefits · Kinship

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How to Turn Your Jack-o’-Lantern into Dog-Friendly Pumpkin Puree

This simple recipe can serve as the base for dog treats,

by Claudia Kawczynska
Updated 2 November 2023
Close up of chopped pumpkin with person chopping pumpkin in the back
Lumina / Stocksy

Pumpkin puree for dogs is super easy to make at home with this simple recipe. Puree is a simple way to add this superfood to your dog’s food. You can also use this freshly made pumpkin puree in cookies, treats, and biscuits to make your homemade dog treats more nutritious.

Benefits of Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkins are a wonderful fall-favorite fruit (yep, you heard that right!) to add to your pup’s diet. Pumpkin puree is a nutrient-dense food topper that’s low in calories and rich in vitamin A, which your pup’s body uses to create beta-carotene antioxidants. In pumpkin puree, you’ll also find loads of potassium and vitamin C, which benefit both your pup’s immune system and heart health. Canned pumpkin is a suitable substitute so your dog can enjoy the benefits year-round, but nothing beats making it yourself fresh.

Simple Pumpkin Puree For Dogs Recipe

There’s not much to this super simple recipe for pumpkin puree, but that’s what makes it so great. You only need one pumpkin, ideally a baking pumpkin that is a bit sweeter and less stringy — but any pumpkin will do, so long as it’s clean. This pumpkin puree recipe is done by baking the pumpkin in the oven, but you can also make it in an instant pot.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Pumpkin

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° degrees F.

  2. Cut your jack-o-lantern into large wedges.

  3. Place the wedges skin side up on a lightly oiled baking sheet.

  4. Bake for approximately 90 minutes, or until the pumpkin wedges are fork tender.

  5. When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the skin into a bowl, then mash it or whirl it in a food processor. If the puree is a bit watery, cook in a saucepan over medium heat until some of the moisture has evaporated.

  6. Let cool, then portion into freezer bags or containers and freeze. The puree can be defrosted quickly in the microwave or by placing the frozen bag or container into a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water.

Use by itself to help with canine constipation or diarrhea (check with your vet for the amount appropriate for your dog), or—more pleasantly—try it in this recipe for Dog-Safe Pumpkin Cookies.

Claudia Kawczynska

Claudia Kawczynska was co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Bark for 20 years. She also edited the best-selling anthology Dog Is My Co-Pilot.