Pumpkin, Peanut Butter & Veggie Dog Treats (Bobbi Jo Approved!)

Another baking day means another batch of homemade rewards! Bobbi Jo always keeps a very close eye on the kitchen the second a jar of peanut butter makes an appearance. Today, we are packing some hidden veggies into a delicious pumpkin and oat dough to make a huge batch of fresh, crunchy snacks.

Important Safety Note: Always check your peanut butter label to ensure it does not contain any artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Additionally, be sure to review the ingredient list against any known food allergies your pet may have, and consult your vet if you are introducing new foods into their diet!

Ingredients

• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 2 big scoops of peanut butter (about 1/4 cup)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
• 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (plus extra for adjusting the dough)
• 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
• 1 zucchini, peeled and shredded

Instructions

1. Prep the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the base: If you have a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, that works perfectly here. Beat the pumpkin, peanut butter, and eggs together until they are mixed well.
3. Add the dry ingredients: Gradually add in the old-fashioned oats. Next, gradually add about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of the whole wheat flour, mixing just until combined and the dough is no longer sticky.
4. Fold in the veggies: Mix in the freshly shredded carrot and zucchini. Note: This will make the dough sticky all over again because fresh veggies hold a lot of juice!
5. Knead the dough: Add more flour until the mixture is no longer too sticky. Mom found it easier to just heavily flour a clean work surface, turn the dough out, and work the additional flour in by hand rather than fighting it in the bowl.
6. Roll and cut: Once the dough reaches a good, workable texture, flour a rolling pin and roll the dough out to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out your treats! The final count will depend on how big your cutters are. Mom used the same tea biscuit cutter she always uses, and this batch yielded exactly 87 treats!
7. Bake: Place the cutouts on your prepared baking sheet and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly toasted.

Let them cool completely before sharing them with your furry helpers!