Halloween Pumpkin Oatmeal Spice Dog Treat Recipe

by Amy Tokic

Published: October 3rd, 2021

Want to include your pooch in Halloween fun? Try our Halloween Pumpkin Oatmeal Spice Dog Treat Recipe. They’re so good, it’s scary!

It’s that time of the year again- the fist chill is in the air, everything smells like pumpkins and everyone is excited about picking the perfect Halloween costume- and kids are already daydreaming about all the candy they’ll hoard with this year’s trick-or-treating. But what about your pooch? Why should he be left out of all the fun activities? Sure, you might dress him up in a costume to make him involved in the festivities, but truth be told, it’s not the Halloween activity that your dog would have chosen to participate in. If he could get his paws on a mountain of candy, he probably would- but we all know that’s a bad idea. So what’s a pawrent to do?

Your fur baby might not get to pig out on trick-or-treating candy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to include them. Instead of leaving out your pooch from all the Halloween fun– try our Halloween Pumpkin Oatmeal Spice Dog Treat Recipe. They’re so good, it’s scary!

Halloween Pumpkin Oatmeal Spice Dog Treat Recipe

This recipe yields 20 generously-sized cookies that will have your pooch wagging his tail well after Halloween passes. And even if they snarf up all of them in a few days- we won’t tell anyone, because these homemade, wholesome treats are healthy for your pooch. Just don’t make it a regular indulgence- these cookies might be great, but all those calories will make your dog a chunky boy in no time.

*Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, but if you think your pooch won’t like the scent of in his chow, feel free to omit it from the recipe. (Just don’t sub for other spices, as they’re not all safe for pooches).

**Both pumpkin and oatmeal are great ingredients to help better digestion in dogs. Even after Halloween, these cookies can become a staple in your pet’s diet, as they can be a lovely healthy substitute to store-bought treats, especially for dogs with food allergies and sensitive tummies.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine pumpkin, oil, water, and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir well. All the “wet” ingredients should be well mixed until the consistency is smooth and even throughout.
Once the “wet” ingredients are all nicely blended, gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Slowly pour in oatmeal and flour, mixing while you do it, to form a stiff dough. It might be a bit sticky, but it shouldn’t be too soft, as you need it to be pliable to shaping and not too soggy.
Once you get the desired consistency, roll dough to 1/4″ thick and cut with cookie cutters on a floured surface.
Bake on non-stick cookie sheet for 30-40 minutes. That’s it- the whole process takes just about an hour and as a result, your whole kitchen will smell divine and your pooch will get to enjoy some dog-friendly Halloween treats.

BONUS TREAT: If your pooch happens to really like pumpkin or you want them to have an easy to digest, healthy alternative to commercial treats, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Recipes section for some delicious pumpkin inspo- our tried and true recipes include goodies such as Pumpkin Molasses Dog Treat Recipe, Devilish Pumpkin And Apple Dog Treat Recipe, Pumpkin and Almond Butter Dog Treat Recipe, and much more.

Is Pumpkin Healthy for Your Dog?

With so many different pumpkin dog treat recipes available, you may be wondering how healthy it is to treat your pup to this fall favourite. The good news is that it’s not only safe, but it also offers some great nutritional benefits. In fact, many veterinarians will even recommend including a small scoop of pumpkin puree as a meal topper with a dog’s regular feedings.

Pumpkin is packed with great vitamins and minerals for your dog’s health including vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and folate. It’s also high in fiber, making it a great option to boost your dog’s digestive health. If you notice that your dog is experiencing any digestive upset including both constipation and diarrhea, a little pumpkin is a well-known and trusted home remedy.

In addition to the digestive benefits, pumpkin has also been associated with better eye health, improved skin and coat and a stronger immune system. It’s also a low-calorie treat. That combined with the high fiber content makes it a perfect choice for those pups that are currently working on shedding a few pounds. The best part? Your dog will love the taste so much that he will have NO idea that he’s enjoying a diet-friendly snack. So, get baking and embrace the fall vibes.

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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More Dogs Than Ever Euthanized as Shelters Hit Capacity

Each year millions of cats and dogs enter shelters and rescues nationwide. Almost a million more animals have entered and lingered in the nation’s shelters in the last three years, resulting in an ongoing capacity crisis. Last year, 3.2 million dogs entered shelters and rescue organizations nationwide. More than 359,000 dogs were euthanized in 2023, compared to 330,000 cats that were euthanized last year. This marks a four-year peak in non-live outcomes for dogs and the first time the number of dogs euthanized has surpassed the number of euthanized cats.  These heartbreaking findings were published in an annual report of shelter populations compiled by Shelter Animals Count, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization founded in 2012. “Everywhere you turn, the shelters are in crisis,” said the organization’s executive director Stephanie Filer. “It’s truly about an imbalance of animals coming in at faster rates than they’re leaving.”According to Filer, for years cats were considered most at risk because they entered shelters at high rates, but faced low adoption rates. However, focused efforts to reverse these trends are giving results, and the newest data shows a positive shift.“We have seen major positive change,” said Filer. “Adoption rates are high and intakes have decreased, and there are efforts to keep cats at home or in their communities.”Unfortunately, dog programs are suffering, with adoption rates significantly lower than in recent years. “Too many dogs are entering shelters and being left behind,” added Filer, according to USA Today. “Unlike cat adoptions, which continue to increase, dog adoptions have essentially flatlined.”When people think of animal shelters, most imagine scores of large-sized mixed breeds and pit bulls. But in reality, there are purebreds like huskies, French bulldogs, Labradors, and even designer dogs.The one thing no animal advocate thought possible happened - the rates of dog euthanasia surpassed the rates of cat euthanasia for the first time in a long time. “The real reason we’re saying, ‘Wow,’ is that it wasn’t that way for a lot of years. And now it is,” said Filer.More than 6.5 million cats and dogs ended up in U.S. shelters and rescues in 2023. While the number of intakes remained relatively steady, this was the fourth consecutive year of overpopulation. While more dogs were adopted in 2023 than in 2022, the adoption rates were insufficient to meet the demand.The high cost of living, job loss, and housing cost challenges are the main reasons adoption rates aren’t keeping up with animal intake. At the end of 2023, an additional 70,000 cats and 107,000 dogs are waiting for a forever home in one of the many shelters and rescues nationwide. “With more animals entering shelters than leaving, animal welfare organizations and their communities need to continue working together to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters, including finding ways to increase access to veterinary care and advocating for pet-friendly housing policies,” said Matt Bershadker, president and the CEO of ASPCA.Experts agree that the promotion of shelter adoptions is the best way to solve the ongoing capacity crisis. Adopting an animal from a shelter saves a life, but it also supports the struggling shelters and their staff. Although adopting a cat or a dog from a shelter isn’t possible for everyone, there are other things you can do to help. Volunteering in your local shelter, fostering a pet, or donating are great ways to get involved and help alleviate the shelter crisis.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Dog Who Spent 900 Days in a Shelter Returned 1 Day After Being Adopted

The staff at the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California was joyous when a Labrador retriever pit bull mix named Sora was finally adopted. Sora, who was the shelter’s longest resident, has waited 900 days to be adopted into a loving, furever home.Sadly, less than 24 hours after the adoption, the poor pooch was returned to the shelter. The Valley Animal Center in Fresno, the largest no-kill shelter in California’s Central Valley, welcomed Sora nearly 4 years ago after the pup’s previous owners surrendered the pet. Since then, Sora hasn’t garnered much attention from prospective adopters, which is shocking to shelter staff who know the pooch well. “Sora is a high-energy dog who loves to play and gets super excited anytime she gets to go on walks,” said Sim Kaur from Valley Animal Center to Newsweek. According to Kaur, Sora loves to walk and hike and will make an amazing travel companion to an outdoorsy person. The sweet pooch also loves playing with tennis balls and is always in the mood for a game of fetch. Sora has tested well with children over the age of five and is affectionate and lovable with adults.Despite being overlooked for so many years, this cute pup recently caught the attention of a potential adopter. After a few meetings, the person decided to adopt Sora, giving this pooch the happy ending she deserved.Then, the worst possible thing happened! Just 24 hours later, the new owner called the shelter to say they would be returning the pup. Sora arrived at the shelter heartbroken and looked particularly sad to be back in the same kennel she called home for so many years.This turn of events shocked Kaur, who believed Sora’s adopters should have given her more time to decompress and settle in her new home before deciding to return the pet to the shelter.“Being in a shelter for many years affects the mental health of our adoptables and it is no different for Sora,” she added. “Sora did not get enough time to decompress in her new home and was introduced to new family members too quickly.”Sora’s sad story was posted on TikTok and has received more than 1.6 million views, leaving doggy lovers around the world in tears. Sharing the video of Sora with another pooch, Eros, who was also returned quickly after adoption, the shelter wrote: “Their tails wagging with hope as they were welcomed into their new home. However, after a short period of time, these shelter dogs found themselves back in their kennels. They are still hopeful that somewhere out there is their furever home where they will be cherished as they deserve.”One day is not enough time for a shelter dog to adjust to its new home. Especially, if the dog in question has spent more than 900 days stuck inside a shelter. Unfortunately, staff at animal shelters see this happen often. Some people who adopt shelter dogs simply don’t give them the time they need to adjust to a new home, and all the unfamiliar sights, smells, and people. It comes as no surprise, to most people, that any dog that has spent any time in a shelter, much less 900 days, will need some time to adapt to its new life and recover from the stress they have experienced. Hopefully, the next person who adopts Sora will understand her and give her the time she needs to adjust to her new home. This adorable pooch is still looking for her furever home. If you think Sora will fit right into your family, submit an adoption application here. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

World’s Largest Cruise Ship Welcomes a Super Cute Dog as a Resident

“Icon of the Seas” might have been known as the largest cruise ship until this year, but now, everybody will know it as the ship with a permanent doggy resident – Rover, a cute Lab with (apparently) four sea legs!Ever since coming on board, Rover has been the focus of social media posts by the cruise ship’s crew members. Based on the posts, the adorable pooch boarded the ship while it was stationed in Ponce, Puerto Rico, just as it was about to finish its journey in Miami, Florida. And soon enough, Rover, who is a young  Labrador Retriever, became the ship’s very own mascot and likely everybody’s favorite resident.After all, Rover was so friendly and loveable that it took only one day for the crew to decide that he would become the permanent resident of the vessel – that takes some serious charm, ya know?“Meet Rover,” one Instagram post said, “the Resident Mascot of the Icon. He just came on board today. He’s a friendly Labrador who’s going to be the permanent resident of the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, Icon of the Seas.”The crew all quickly gathered around to ensure that Rover would be given the best possible care in his new role of “Chief Dog Officer”. Allison, one of the crew members is originally from Australia and has been a member of the crew for five years. She ensures that Rover receives plenty of treats and a ton of love. "As a crew member on Icon, Rover's job is to bring joy to her fellow crew and guests onboard. All the while, she gets to explore the Caribbean shores and beautiful ports," she said. Even though Rover had been on the ship for just a short time, he did not fail to capture everyone’s heart. He enjoyed walks on the “lido” deck and even visited the Captain in The Bridge - a privilege reserved only for the select few. And, in no time, many other crew members chimed in on social media welcoming the doggo onboard. "We are absolutely thrilled to introduce our newest team member, Rover, who has joined us as a permanent resident aboard the magnificent Icon of the Seas," said  @godwin_fernandes2000.So much so, that even Royal Caribbean, the company behind the Icon of the Seas, posted about Rover on their own official account! Now, Rover found his new forever home – in the unlikeliest of all places: a cruise ship. And if you want to follow the adventures of this sea-faring puppy, be sure to check out his Instagram account  @chiefdogrover where they’ll be documented!

Technology Tracking Dogs Really Are a Thing

We’ve all heard of dogs that can sniff out drugs and explosives or locate missing persons from a simple whiff of their clothing… but what’s all this about technology trackers? Can I seriously teach my pooch to hunt down the TV remote that went missing over the weekend? Actually, it’s not that kind of technology. You see, this highly specialized dog is trained to detect a compound called triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) and with a dog’s approximately 400 million olfactory receptors (humans have closer to 50 million) these super sleuths can smell that stuff through pocket material, duffle bags, a shoe insole, and even drywall. Now, if you’re wondering what TPPO is, it’s the compound used to cover circuit boards in storage devices ranging from hard drives to USB sticks, memory cards and even those tiny SIM cards that store data on our cellphones. Essentially, it’s the all-important coating that prevents these gadgets from overheating and because of that, it’s a compound that will never not be present on electronic devices.But as to why this specific training is growing in K9 units worldwide you need to consider the increase in cyber-terrorism. From drug and human trafficking to child pornography and weapons offences, the need to locate a criminal’s “tools of the trade” such as computers, burner phones, and hard drives is essential to securing a successful conviction. And while internet use and location trackers have made it easy to trail an individual, many perpetrators now work on darknets – an overlay that uses the internet but requires special software for the person to access illicit data.Of course, even a darknet involves a computer system and that’s where the TPPO-sniffing pooch steps up to the plate. Find the perp and let this specially trained K9 agent track down the concealed storage system. I mean, when you’re dealing with something as easily hidden as a SIM card, having a secret furry weapon that detects the scent, then sits, barks and wags his tail saves a heck of a lot of time.Truth is, technology-tracking dogs are becoming more and more common in the execution of this type of warrant because police often get just one shot at finding the much-needed evidence. No surprise that the best dogs for this type of work tend to be the usual suspects – Labrador retrievers because of their heightened sensory skills, innate hunting traits and their gentle disposition – important if there are younger family members present during a search. Other faves include the stately Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd dogs for their tenacity and handler loyalty. I’m not convinced my Schnoodles would rank but as with most family pooches, they’re ace at hunting down an errant chip between the sofa cushions… and that’s good enough for me.

Study Finds Pet Parents Care More About Their Dogs Than Their Cats

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Homeless Man Rescues a Litter of Orphaned Puppies During a Storm

An anonymous homeless man has become an internet sensation after rescuing a litter of puppies and taking them to the shelter during a storm. In the wake of a recent storm, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society in North Carolina discovered that a nameless man had dropped off a litter of five puppies at the shelter’s door. The puppies, estimated to be less than two months old, were left with a touching note. “The note was from a kind soul, a homeless man who, despite his own hardships, took it upon himself to rescue these innocent lives after their mother, a local stray he cared for, tragically passed away,” share the shelter in a Facebook post. The shelter also posted pictures of the note left by the homeless man, who apologized for not being able to care for the puppies himself. “Please help,” he wrote. “I found these puppies sadly after noticing a local stray dog that I would often feed when I could, dead by the road. She had been hit by a car.” The man added that he knew she had a litter of puppies nearby and that he searched the area for them, so they wouldn’t starve and freeze to death waiting for their mom to return. “I’m sorry for leaving them like this, but I myself am homeless and cannot afford to care for them,” the man explained. “My heart shatters for them and their mother. I just want them to be given the chance their mother, like myself, was never given.”“Please do not think poorly of me, but it felt wrong leaving them alone in the cold waiting on a mother that would not be coming home. Sincerely, the nameless man.” Touched by this selfless act of kindness, the shelter thanked the nameless man, saying that his good deed hadn’t gone unnoticed. The shelter promised to honor this selfless gesture by ensuring these puppies get all the love and care they deserve. “Your empathy in the face of adversity gives us hope and inspiration,” the shelter wrote. The staff invited the man to come by the shelter to visit the puppies and get a proper thank you. So far, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society has not heard from the man but noted that many people have offered to help him get back on his feet if he comes forward. To acknowledge the lucky circumstances of their rescue, the shelter named the puppies Chance, Kismet, Serendipity, Fortun, and Fate. The puppies were extremely malnourished and small when they were rescued, so the shelter couldn’t yet determine their breed.“We are guessing they are lab mixes and will grow to be about 30 to 40 pounds, but again that’s a guess,” said the shelter. According to the shelter, the applications to adopt these cute puppies will open on February 1. The organization explained that they will only consider applicants from Cumberland County, North Carolina because the puppies are going home on a foster-to-adopt basis until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered. In the meantime, the organization is accepting donations and has a wish list available for anyone willing to assist in caring for these puppies. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have any updates about the kind man who brought these puppies to us. While the puppies have names now, their rescuer remains unknown. We continue to hope he’ll come forward,” the shelter wrote. “Thank you for your continued support and love for these animals. Together we’re making a difference in their lives one puppy at a time.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

New Study Reveals Dogs Can Sniff Out Neurodegenerative Diseases

We all know that doggos have incredible noses and a superb sense of smell. It is tens of thousands of times stronger than our own. This makes us wonder – what secrets can such a sense of smell unveil? Many scientists consider the canine sense of smell a great potential to enhance human lives thanks to its accuracy. And that is exactly what was unveiled in a recent study published in “bioRxiv”, by researchers Samuel V. Johnston and Lisa Holt from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Thanks to their efforts, and the incredible abilities of doggos, it was revealed that our four-legged friends have the potential to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s disease is a terrible condition, affecting primarily seniors. What is even worse is that this disease has many difficulties in diagnosis, which prevents doctors from accurately identifying the disease in the early stages. But the breakthrough study could change all that! Thanks to doggos and their powerful noses, we could be on the brink of completely changing the way Parkinson’s is diagnosed. “Dogs have an extraordinary olfactory capability, which far exceeds that of humans. Dogs’ sense of smell seems to be the main sense, allowing them to not only gather both current and historical information about their surrounding environment, but also to find the source of the smell, which is crucial for locating food, danger, or partners for reproduction.”  writes Agata Kusiak, from the Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University. “Dogs can be trained by humans to use their olfactory abilities in a variety of fields, with a detection limit often much lower than that of sophisticated laboratory instruments.”Utilizing this remarkable sense of smell, scientists trained 23 dogs of different breeds and backgrounds, to successfully differentiate between samples of both Parkinson’s-positive individuals and Parkinson’s-negative individuals. The results were more than successful, with the dogs showcasing 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity in distinguishing the samples. In many ways, this is a revolutionary study and opens new doors and new possibilities in medical diagnostics. What is even better, it offers new hope for the timely detection of Parkinson’s disease. However, it is important to note that the study is still in relative infancy, and is still awaiting peer review. But the potential here is incredible. If validated, the study could help improve patient outcomes, and help with early diagnosis of this troubling disease.

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Why is My Rabbit Eating Poop and How Do I Stop It?

It’s a weird and uncomfortable habit, but if your rabbit is eating poop, it may not be a sign of health issues! In fact, for rabbits, eating poop may actually be a healthy decision (even if we’d prefer not to see it).In this article, we’re diving into the mystery of why rabbits eat poop, including why you may want to let your rabbit engage in this “cringey” habit. Plus, we’ll look at the warning signs that something is, indeed, off and when you should contact your veterinarian.Let’s get started…Is it Normal for a Rabbit to Eat Their Poop?Obviously, seeing your rabbit eating their own feces isn’t something any rabbit parent enjoys. If this is your first time seeing your rabbit engaging in this behavior, it may even cause serious concerns. What could possibly be so wrong with your rabbit’s system that they would feel tempted to do that? You may be surprised to learn that this is incredibly common and, in many cases, a regular part of their digestive process. By eating a specific type of poop, they ensure that they are getting (and keeping) all the nutrients that they need to support a healthy, happy life. The idea of chowing down on our own waste is disgusting to us. But for our furry friends, this is a normal part of their daily routine. Rabbit Poop vs Cecotropes To better understand the connection between poop eating and your rabbit’s health, we need to learn about the different types of rabbit waste. More specifically, we need to know about cecotropes. When we go to the bathroom, we have one type of solid waste – a material we couldn’t imagine getting near, let alone making into a meal. Rabbits, however, pass two different types of droppings. The first is fecal waste or poop. If your rabbit has a healthy, functioning digestive system, these will be small, round, dry, ball-like pellets that are light brown. This is often found in your rabbit’s litter box (if they are litter-trained) or the bottom of their cage.The second and the most important type of droppings are cecal pellets or cecotropes. These have the appearance of a small bunch of grapes with several round pellets clumped together. They are shiny, coated in mucus, and usually dark brown/mulberry color. The mucus is sticky, which could cause the cecotropes to pick up a layer of hay, wood shavings, or fur from their environment. While feces is the body’s way of discarding everything your body doesn’t need from your food, aka the ‘waste,’ cecotropes are a little different. These pellets contain partially digested foods that passed through your rabbit’s system without the nutrients being absorbed the first time. They are packed with nutrients as well as helpful bacteria and fungi that support a healthy gastrointestinal system. When you see a rabbit eating their waste, they are usually eating these cecotropes. This allows them to absorb the much-needed nutrients that would otherwise be lost.

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