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Trick or Treat, Smell My Paws! Homemade Halloween Dog Treats

We got some treat recipes for the cats too!

By: The Kid’s Directory Family Resource Guide – Houston
September 2026 on kids-houston.com

Image for Trick or Treat, Smell My Paws! Homemade Halloween Dog Treats blog article showing a dog and cat at a table filled with treats, dressed in halloween outfits in a themed Halloween room.

Halloween is a magical time of year.

The kids have approximately 14 pounds of candy.

You’ve already “quality controlled” several Reese’s Cups.

There’s fake spider web stretched across every shrub you own.

And your dog is standing in the kitchen staring at everyone like:

So…when exactly do I get a treat?

Fair question.

While our four-legged family members definitely shouldn’t be helping themselves to the Halloween candy bowl, they don’t have to miss out on the treats altogether.

This Halloween, grab the pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters, round up the kids and turn the kitchen into your very own dog-friendly Halloween bakery.

We’ve put together more than 10 homemade Halloween dog treat recipes, from pumpkin biscuits and frozen ghost treats to creepy little “eyeballs” and miniature pupcakes.

And because cats have undoubtedly been sitting nearby judging this entire production, we’ve included a special Halloween treat section for them too.

But first…

Before You Become the Neighborhood Dog Bakery...

Dogs cannot safely eat everything humans can.

Halloween is an especially important time to remember that chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins can be dangerous to dogs. Onions and garlic are also foods pets should avoid.

Peanut butter deserves special attention because some brands may contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Always read the ingredient label before using peanut butter in homemade treats. Unsalted peanut butter without xylitol is the safer choice. Also remember that homemade treats are still treats, not dinner. The AKC recommends keeping treats to roughly 10% or less of a dog’s daily diet. (American Kennel Club) 

If your dog has diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease, food allergies, digestive problems, is on a prescription diet or has another medical condition, talk with your veterinarian before introducing homemade treats.

And never assume an ingredient is safe just because it’s “natural.”

Poison ivy is natural too.

Nobody is putting that in a cookie.

1. Pumpkin Patch Dog Biscuits

These are the Halloween classic.

They’re easy enough for kids to help make, they require only a few ingredients and you can use pumpkin, ghost, bat or bone-shaped cookie cutters.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup natural, unsalted, xylitol-free peanut butter

You’ll Also Need

  • Parchment paper
  • Rolling pin
  • Halloween cookie cutters
  • Baking sheet

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the pumpkin and peanut butter into a large mixing bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
  3. Gradually add the flour. Keep stirring until the mixture begins forming a dough.
  4. Lightly flour your work surface and place the dough on it.
  5. Roll the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thick.
  6. Now call in the kids.
  7. Let them use Halloween cookie cutters to make pumpkins, ghosts, bats, cats, moons or whatever other creatures are currently inhabiting your cookie-cutter drawer.
  8. Place the shapes onto your prepared baking sheet.
  9. Bake for approximately 12–18 minutes, depending upon thickness, until firm and lightly browned.
  10. For crunchier biscuits, turn off the oven and leave them inside as the oven cools.
  11. Allow them to cool completely before serving.

Plain pumpkin puree—not pumpkin pie filling—is the important distinction here. Pumpkin pie filling contains additional ingredients that aren’t necessary for your dog. AKC also recommends plain pumpkin for homemade dog treats.

Kid Job: Measuring, mixing, rolling and cutting shapes.

Dog Job: Sitting approximately three inches from your feet supervising operations.

2. Frozen Pumpkin Ghosts

Houston may say it’s October. Houston’s thermometer occasionally disagrees.

These frozen treats are perfect for those Halloween afternoons when it still feels suspiciously like summer.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt

Directions

  1. Combine the pumpkin and yogurt in a bowl.
  2. Spoon the mixture into silicone Halloween molds—ghosts, pumpkins, bats and skulls are especially fun.
  3. Gently tap the mold against the counter to remove air pockets.
  4. Freeze for several hours or overnight until completely solid.
  5. Remove the treats from the mold and store them in an airtight freezer container.

This pumpkin-and-yogurt combination is also used in an AKC frozen dog treat recipe.

Start with a small serving, particularly if your dog isn’t accustomed to dairy; some pets don’t digest dairy products well. (ASPCA)

Kid Job: Mixing and filling molds.

Dog Job: Checking the freezer every seven minutes.

3. Monster Apple Pumpkin Bites

These soft little bites are particularly nice for dogs who aren’t enthusiastic about hard biscuits.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups oat flour
  • Additional oat flour as needed

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine the pumpkin, applesauce and egg.
  3. Slowly stir in the oat flour until you’ve created a soft but workable dough.
  4. If it’s extremely sticky, add a little more flour.
  5. Roll the mixture into small balls appropriate for your dog’s size.
  6. Place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently flatten each one with your thumb.
  7. For Halloween fun, use a fork or toothpick to make little pumpkin lines.
  8. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until firm.
  9. Cool completely.

IMPORTANT: Use plain, unsweetened applesauce. Check the ingredient label and avoid products containing xylitol.

4. Sweet Potato Jack-O'-Lantern Chews

This might be the easiest recipe in the entire article. One ingredient. That’s it. Even those of us whose culinary specialty is “ordering pizza” can handle this.

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet potato

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to approximately 250°F.
  2. Wash and peel the sweet potato.
  3. Cut it into slices approximately 1/4-inch thick.
  4. For Halloween, use a small pumpkin cookie cutter to cut shapes from larger slices—or simply leave them as circles.
  5. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet without overlapping.
  6. Bake for approximately 2½–3 hours, flipping halfway through.
  7. The longer they bake, the drier and chewier they’ll become.
  8. Cool completely before offering one to your dog.

Because homemade chews contain moisture and no commercial preservatives, store them refrigerated and discard them if you notice mold, unusual odor or texture changes.

Kid Job: Using the cookie cutter after an adult slices the potato.

Adult Job: Knife duty. This is Halloween. We want fake severed fingers. Not real ones.

5. Peanut Butter Spider Biscuits

Spiders crawling around the kitchen normally mean we have a problem.

These are the exception.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup xylitol-free natural peanut butter
  • Approximately 1/2 cup water

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine flour and oats.
  3. Add the egg and peanut butter.
  4. Slowly add water, a little at a time, until a firm dough forms. You may not need all of it.
  5. Roll the dough approximately 1/4-inch thick.
  6. Use a round cookie cutter to create circles.
  7. Now let the kids turn them into spiders.
  8. Use a toothpick or the blunt edge of a butter knife to press four little “legs” into each side of the dough.
  9. Bake approximately 18–25 minutes, until firm and lightly browned.
  10. Cool completely.

**Remember: check that peanut butter label every single time. Xylitol can be extremely dangerous for dogs

6. Blueberry "Monster Eyeballs"

These are ridiculous. Which is exactly why they’re going on the Halloween menu.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
  • 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • Fresh blueberries

Directions

  1. Place one blueberry into each cavity of a small silicone mold or ice cube tray.
  2. Combine pumpkin and yogurt.
  3. Spoon the mixture over each blueberry.
  4. Freeze until solid.

When removed from the mold, you’ll have little orange-and-white frozen bites with a blueberry “eyeball” inside.

For small dogs, use tiny molds and consider cutting treats into smaller pieces before serving.

Always supervise your dog while eating treats that contain whole fruit to reduce choking risk.

Kid Rating: Extremely fun.

Mess Rating: Moderate.

Dog Approval Rating: Our focus group would like another sample.

7. "Candy Corn" Carrot & Pumpkin Frozen Treats

No actual candy corn will be involved. Your dog will never know.

Ingredients

  • Plain pumpkin puree
  • Plain unsweetened yogurt
  • Cooked carrot puree

Directions

  1. You’ll create these in layers using silicone triangular molds.
  2. First, spoon a small amount of plain yogurt into the pointed end of each mold.
  3. Freeze until firm.
  4. Add a layer of pumpkin puree.
  5. Freeze again.
  6. Finish with carrot puree.
  7. Freeze completely.
  8. Pop them out and you’ll have adorable orange, white and golden dog-friendly treats inspired by candy corn.

They aren’t perfectly identical to human candy corn. Your dog has extremely low expectations regarding graphic design. He’ll cope.

Kid Job: Layering the colors.

This is also a great Halloween kitchen activity because kids get to see how freezing each layer keeps the colors separated. Sneaky science lesson. Don’t tell them.

8. Pumpkin Banana "Boo Bites"

No oven required.

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup xylitol-free peanut butter

Directions

  1. Mash the banana thoroughly.
  2. Add pumpkin and peanut butter and mix until smooth.
  3. Spoon the mixture into small Halloween silicone molds.
  4. Freeze for at least several hours.
  5. Store frozen.

Because peanut butter is calorie-dense and high in fat, these should be small occasional treats rather than something handed out like Halloween candy.

For little dogs, tiny molds are your friend.

A Chihuahua doesn’t need a frozen treat the size of a hockey puck.

9. Apple "Mummy" Dog Cookies

Here comes another one for the kids.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups oat flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine pumpkin, applesauce and egg.
  3. Slowly add the oat flour until a workable dough forms.
  4. Roll approximately 1/4-inch thick.
  5. Cut the dough into simple rectangles or use a gingerbread-person cookie cutter.
  6. Kids can use a toothpick to gently draw crisscrossing “mummy bandages” into each cookie.
  7. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Bake approximately 20–25 minutes, or until firm.
  9. Cool completely.

Want eyes?

Instead of adding candy decorations, simply poke two little eye holes into the dough before baking.

Your dog will not complain about the absence of googly eyes.

10. Halloween Chicken & Pumpkin Training Treats

Maybe your dog doesn’t care about peanut butter. Maybe your dog is a meat-and-potatoes individual. We respect that.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked, unseasoned chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
    1 egg
  • Approximately 1 cup oat flour

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Finely chop or process the cooked chicken.
  3. Combine chicken, pumpkin and egg.
  4. Gradually add oat flour until you have a thick mixture.
  5. Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet approximately 1/4-inch thick.
  6. Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
  7. Remove from the oven and carefully cut the partially baked mixture into tiny squares.
  8. Return it to the oven for another 10–15 minutes, or until firm.
  9. Cool completely.

These make great little rewards during a Halloween walk because you can cut them into very small pieces.

IMPORTANT: The chicken should be plain—no garlic, onion, seasoning blends or sauces. Onions and garlic can harm both dogs and cats.

Because these contain meat and moisture, refrigerate them promptly and use them quickly, or freeze extras.

11. Mini Pumpkin Pupcakes

Your dog has watched everyone else get cupcakes long enough. It’s his moment.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole-wheat or oat flour
  • 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
  • Approximately 1/4 cup water, as needed

Optional “Frosting”

  • Plain pumpkin puree
    OR
  • A very small amount of plain unsweetened yogurt if your dog tolerates dairy.

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine pumpkin, egg and peanut butter.
  3. Stir in flour.
  4. Add just enough water to create a thick cake batter.
  5. Spoon into a greased or lined mini-muffin pan, filling each cavity approximately two-thirds full.
  6. Bake for roughly 15–20 minutes, until set in the center.
  7. Allow the pupcakes to cool completely.
  8. Top each with a tiny spoonful of pumpkin.
  9. For Halloween, make a little pumpkin face by creating indentations with a toothpick rather than adding sugary decorations.

Serve according to your dog’s size.

A Great Dane may regard one mini pupcake as an insult.

A Yorkie may consider one a three-course meal.

12. Frankenstein's Green Bean & Pumpkin Bites

Finally, Frankenstein enters the kitchen.

Technically Frankenstein’s monster, but this is a dog treat article, not an English literature exam.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups oat flour
  • 1/3 cup finely pureed cooked green beans

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix pumpkin and egg.
  3. Gradually add the flour until a soft dough forms.
  4. Remove approximately one-quarter of the dough and mix the green bean puree into it. Add a little additional flour if the mixture becomes too wet.
  5. Roll out the orange pumpkin dough.
  6. Cut it into small squares or pumpkin shapes.
  7. Use the green dough to make tiny Frankenstein-inspired “hair,” stems or other decorations.
  8. Keep decorations fairly flat and securely attached to the biscuit rather than creating small pieces that could break off.
  9. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes.
  10. Cool completely.

Kids can design the faces before baking using a toothpick. Expect some artistic liberties. Frankenstein may end up looking like SpongeBob. The dog won’t care.

Turn Dog Treat Baking Into a Halloween Activity With the Kids

This doesn’t have to be another project where Mom or Dad does 93% of the work while everyone else disappears.

Give children actual jobs.

Younger children can pour pre-measured ingredients, mash bananas, stir pumpkin, press cookie cutters and fill silicone molds.

Older kids can measure ingredients, roll dough, design cookies and help package finished treats.

You could even create little “Trick or Treat for Dogs” bags for friends and family who have pups.

Have the kids decorate paper bags and include a card listing every ingredient.

That’s particularly important when giving homemade treats to someone else’s dog because you don’t know which animals have allergies, food sensitivities or dietary restrictions.

And always ask the dog’s owner before giving a pet food.

We know.

You’re the cool neighbor handing out homemade Halloween dog cookies.

But Rover’s veterinarian outranks you.

Don't Forget Homemade Halloween Treats For Cats!

At this point, your cat has probably been watching from the kitchen counter thinking:

“Pathetic. Twelve recipes for the dog.”

We hear you, Whiskers.

Cats have very different nutritional needs from dogs, and treats should not replace a complete and balanced cat diet.

Because cats are obligate carnivores, we’re keeping their Halloween menu much more meat-focused.

And remember that onions and garlic are especially problematic for cats, so use completely unseasoned meat.

Kitty Recipe #1: Tiny Chicken Halloween Bites

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fully cooked, plain chicken breast
  • 1 egg

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Finely process the cooked chicken.
  3. Add the egg and blend until you have a thick paste.
  4. Place tiny portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Flatten them into little discs.
  6. Bake until cooked through and firm, approximately 10–15 minutes, depending on size.
  7. Cool completely.

Keep these tiny. Cat treats should be treat-sized—not hamburger patties.

Refrigerate leftovers promptly or freeze them.

Kitty Recipe #2: Salmon Pumpkin Paw Bites

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fully cooked, unseasoned salmon with all bones removed
  • 2 tablespoons plain pumpkin puree
  • 1 egg
  • Enough oat flour to create a workable mixture

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Flake the salmon carefully and double-check for bones.
  3. Mix salmon, pumpkin and egg.
  4. Add a small amount of oat flour until the mixture holds together.
  5. Form tiny balls and flatten them.
  6. Bake approximately 10–15 minutes, until thoroughly set.
  7. Cool completely and refrigerate.

Pumpkin isn’t the star here.

Salmon is.

Your cat insists we make that very clear.

Kitty Recipe #3: Frozen Tuna "Full Moon" Treats

Ingredients

  • Plain tuna packed in water with no added seasoning
  • Water

Directions

  1. Drain the tuna.
  2. Blend a small amount of tuna with enough water to create a thin puree.
  3. Spoon tiny portions into miniature round silicone molds.
  4. Freeze until solid.
  5. Offer one small frozen treat occasionally.

Check the tuna label carefully—you want plain tuna without sauces, onion, garlic or seasoning.

These aren’t meant to become a major component of your cat’s diet. They’re simply a little Halloween bonus.

Your cat will accept the tribute.

Halloween Ingredients That Stay OUT of the Pet Treat Bowl

This part is worth sticking on the refrigerator.

Keep these away from your homemade dog and cat treats:

  • Chocolate
  • Xylitol
  • Grapes
  • Raisins
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Alcohol
  • Raw yeast dough
  • Excessively salty foods

ASPCA Poison Control specifically identifies grapes/raisins, xylitol, onions and garlic among significant food exposures in pets, while chocolate continues to account for a substantial share of poisoning calls. (ASPCA Pro)

Also resist the temptation to make pet treats look more “professional” by covering them with human frosting, chocolate, candy melts or sprinkles.

Your dog doesn’t know his cookie isn’t Pinterest-worthy. He eats things he finds underneath the kitchen table. His presentation standards are manageable.

How Should You Store Homemade Dog Treats?

Unlike commercial dog biscuits, homemade treats generally don’t contain preservatives.

That means they shouldn’t live indefinitely in a decorative jar on the counter.

For baked treats, let them cool completely before storing them. Any remaining warmth can create condensation inside the container.

Soft, moist treats and recipes containing meat, eggs, yogurt or other perishable ingredients should be refrigerated and used promptly. Frozen treats should remain frozen until serving.

For longer storage, freeze batches in small portions and thaw only what you’ll use.

If anything smells strange, develops mold, becomes unusually moist or simply makes you wonder, “Is this still good?”…

Throw it away.

Making another pumpkin cookie costs significantly less than an emergency veterinary appointment.

What If My Dog Raids the Human Halloween Candy?

Don’t wait around for symptoms if your dog eats something potentially toxic.

Chocolate, xylitol-containing products, grapes and raisins can all require prompt veterinary attention. The AKC recommends contacting your veterinarian, emergency veterinary clinic or a pet poison service promptly after a potentially dangerous Halloween ingestion. (American Kennel Club)

If possible, keep the packaging so you can tell the veterinarian exactly what your dog ate and what ingredients it contained.

And don’t induce vomiting or try an internet home remedy unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so.

Make Halloween a Treat for Everybody

Halloween doesn’t have to be one long evening of telling the dog: “NO.”

  • No chocolate.
  • No candy.
  • No stealing the kids’ trick-or-treat bags.
  • No eating wrappers.
  • No licking the jack-o’-lantern.
  • No running down the driveway dressed as Batman.

Making a batch of homemade Halloween dog treats gives your four-legged family member something that’s actually meant for them.

Even better, making the treats together can become one of those simple Halloween traditions the kids remember.

Put on some Halloween music. Pull out the pumpkin cookie cutters. Let the kids make ridiculous dog biscuits. Take pictures. Make treats for your friends’ pets.

And when your beautifully decorated pumpkin biscuit disappears in approximately 1.7 seconds without so much as a thank-you…

Don’t take it personally.

Compliments to the chef are apparently optional when you have paws.

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