Leaves are falling, nights are becoming crisper, and pumpkin is slowly enveloping everything on our shelves and feeds. It’s that time of year: pumpkin spice season! So why not hop on this trending train and create a cozy puppy latte for your best friend at home?
Recipe
Why we love this recipe for dogs
Outside of this DIY dog treat recipe, you can easily introduce pumpkin to your dog’s diet by adding our organic pumpkin powder to their meals: simply sprinkle our powder on top of their food or mix with water to create a pumpkin puree. While canned pumpkin can be added to your pup’s food, it contains a high concentration of water (often 90-95%), which yields less of this nutritious fruit’s benefits. Consequently, one 15 ounce can/cup pumpkin puree is equivalent to approximately 2 tablespoons of our organic pumpkin powder. Be sure never to use pumpkin pie filling, which typically contains spices, added sugars, preservatives, and sugar substitutes like xylitol, which is deadly to dogs.
For this Pupkin Spice Latte, you will need to use our organic pumpkin powder (as opposed to canned pumpkin because the pureed pumpkin is thick and slightly grainy) to achieve a smooth, latte-like consistency similar to the drink you’d pick up from Starbucks. To create this delicious and gluten-free pumpkin dog treat recipe, I used warm water and a small quantity of heated milk (microwaved for 60 seconds) to top it off. According to the AKC, milk is safe for dogs in small quantities. Since all dogs are different, try giving them a small amount (less than an ounce) to start. If your dog has a known dairy allergy, simply skip or substitute. Lastly, I topped it off with a sprinkle of pumpkin powder. I mixed the puppy latte in a short cup (a small mixing bowl works too) with a handheld, electric frother like this one from Amazon. I also used the handheld frother to froth the topper milk. If you prefer, you could top the puppuccino with whipped cream (be sure it does not contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) and even add a dog biscuit or dog bone.
Always err on the side of caution when introducing new treats or foods to your furry friend. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze overnight for a frozen treat. If your pet is sensitive to dairy, consider alternative options like Native Pet's Goat Milk. This recipe does not contain coffee or caffeine, as it is harmful to dogs and should be avoided when making homemade dog treats.
Special Note: Start by feeding your pup a small amount of this dog-friendly latte. As with all new foods, it should be introduced slowly. Keep in mind, you can always freeze any remaining amount for future treats.
For more dog-friendly recipes, check out our, frozen watermelon recipe here, featuring fresh blueberries in an adorable paw print form.
