3-Ingredient Apple Pumpkin Dog Treats

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them, DogHib may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The mistake I made for years: I’d stuff my dog’s chew toy with treats, hand it over, and watch him empty it in 90 seconds. Then he’d stare at me like, “Now what?” The fix was simple. Freeze a soft filling inside, and that 90 seconds turns into 30 minutes.

This is one of my 3 ingredient recipes, all made with just three things.

These 3 ingredient apple pumpkin dog treats aren’t cookies. They’re a frozen filling for a stuffable rubber toy or a lick mat. You stir together plain pumpkin, unsweetened applesauce, and plain cooked oatmeal, spoon it in, and freeze. It’s the best boredom buster I know for rainy days.

Recipe Snapshot

• Hands-on time: 10 minutes (plus 5 to cook the oats)
• Freeze time: 3 to 4 hours
• Fills: about 3 medium toys or 2 lick mats
• Calories: about 58 per medium toy
• Keeps: 5 days in the fridge (unfrozen mix), 2 months frozen

What Goes in the Filling?

• ½ cup plain canned pumpkin
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup plain cooked oatmeal, made with water and cooled

How Do You Make It?

First, cook ¼ cup of rolled oats in ½ cup of water for about 5 minutes. That gives you roughly ½ cup of cooked oatmeal. Let it cool all the way.

Then stir the oatmeal, pumpkin, and applesauce together in a bowl. It should be thick, like soft-serve. Now pick how you want to serve it.

For a stuffable toy

1. Plug the small hole with a dab of pumpkin.
2. Spoon the filling in and press it down with the back of a spoon.
3. Stand the toy upright in a mug so it doesn’t tip.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours.

For a lick mat

1. Spread a thin layer over the mat with a butter knife.
2. Push it into the grooves.
3. Lay it flat in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours.

How Long Will It Keep My Dog Busy?

It depends on the toy, the freeze time, and how determined your dog is. Here’s what I see with my Lab mix.

For puppies or beginners, start with the unfrozen version. If it’s too hard, some dogs give up.

Why Does Licking Help?

Licking and working for food give a dog’s brain a job. I use these when I need my dog calm, like during a work call or a thunderstorm. They’re also great in a crate. I talk more about that in my post on crate training a puppy.

If your dog is wound up most of the time, a stuffed toy is one tool. I share more ideas in my guide to getting your dog to calm down, and in these mental stimulation tips, which work for any breed. For a step-by-step plan, I like this calm dog behavior training program.

When Do I Use These?

I don’t hand out stuffed toys at random. I save them for times when I need my dog calm and busy:

• Work calls: A frozen toy buys me a quiet half hour.
• Rainy days: When we can’t get a long walk, licking helps burn off some of that energy.
• When guests arrive: It gives him something to do besides jump on people.
• After surgery or rest days: If the vet says to keep things quiet, a lick mat is a gentle way to stay busy.
• Bedtime: A small, unfrozen fill in his crate helps him settle.

What Mistakes Should I Avoid?

• Using a toy that’s too small. If your dog can fit the whole toy in their mouth, it’s a choking risk. Go one size up.
• Using sweetened applesauce. Many jars have added sugar. “Unsweetened” or “no sugar added” should be on the front, and apples should be the only ingredient.
• Serving hot oatmeal. The AKC says to serve oatmeal at room temperature, since hot food can burn a dog’s mouth. Let it cool before mixing.
• Freezing it rock-hard for a beginner. A brand-new licker may get frustrated. Start soft, then freeze longer as they get the hang of it.

How Do I Make It Easier or Harder?

Every dog is different. Some figure out a stuffed toy in seconds. Others need a little help.

• Easier: Leave the filling loose and unfrozen. Smear some on the outside of the toy so they get the idea.
• Medium: Freeze it for 2 hours, so it’s firm but still soft in the middle.
• Harder: Pack it tight and freeze overnight. For expert lickers, add a layer of their regular kibble in the middle.

I keep a few 3 ingredient apple pumpkin dog treats ready in the freezer at all times. It’s my secret weapon for quiet afternoons.

What Can I Swap?

• Fresh apple instead of applesauce: Finely grate ½ of a cored apple. The AKC says to remove the seeds, core, and stem.
• Banana instead of applesauce: Use ½ mashed ripe banana.
• Plain yogurt instead of oatmeal: If your dog handles dairy, plain Greek yogurt with no xylitol works.
• Something to bake instead? My 3 ingredient apple dog treats are crunchy, and so are these healthy apple pumpkin dog treats.
• More pumpkin ideas: Try my 3 ingredient pumpkin dog treats or the pumpkin banana pancakes.

How Do I Prep a Week of Fillers?

I make a triple batch on Sunday. I fill 3 toys, spread 2 lick mats, and spoon the rest into an ice cube tray. Once the cubes are frozen, I pop them into a bag. Then, when I need a quick refill, I push one or two cubes into a clean toy and it’s ready in minutes. The unfrozen mix keeps in the fridge for about 5 days, so you can also just scoop some out as you go.

FAQ

Can I use raw oats instead of cooking them?
I don’t. The AKC says oatmeal should be cooked, because raw oats are harder for dogs to digest.

How do I clean the toy?
Soak it in warm soapy water for 10 minutes, then use a bottle brush. Most rubber toys are top-rack dishwasher safe, but check the label.

Can I give this every day?
Yes, for most dogs, if you count the calories. On filler days, I cut back a little on dinner. I peek in on my dog with a pet camera to make sure he’s licking, not chewing the toy.