ByEvery August, my garden tries to bury me in zucchini. One year I had nine on the counter at once. That same week, my corgi, Waffles, turned five. So I did what any tired dog mom would do. I made him a birthday “cake” out of zucchini.
These 3 ingredient zucchini dog treats are savory pupcakes. You mix plain ground turkey, grated zucchini, and one egg. Then you bake them in a muffin tin. No flour, no sugar, no frosting. They come out moist, meaty, and just right for a party, or for any day you want to spoil your pup a little.
At a Glance
You need ½ pound ground turkey, 1 cup grated and squeezed zucchini, and 1 large egg. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22 to 28 minutes, until the center of a pupcake reads 165°F (74°C). It makes 6 regular pupcakes or 18 mini ones. Each regular pupcake is a big treat, so I cut it into quarters for everyday use.
Is Zucchini Safe for Dogs?
Yes. The American Kennel Club says zucchini is safe for dogs. AKC also says a cup of raw zucchini has only about 20 calories, and it’s low in fat. That makes it a nice filler for a treat like this.
A few rules from that same AKC page:
- Plain raw, steamed, or cooked zucchini is fine.
- Skip zucchini cooked with oil, salt, garlic, onion, or seasoning.
- Zucchini bread and other sweet baked goods are not a good idea. They have extra fat and sugar, and some may contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
- Big chunks can be a choking risk. Grate it or chop it small.
Our recipe uses plain grated zucchini, so it checks every box. And the turkey? Plain, cooked turkey without skin or seasoning is a common dog treat. Our healthy turkey dog treats post covers more turkey ideas.
Why zucchini and not just meat? It adds moisture and bulk without many calories. The pupcake looks bigger and feels more like a cake, but most of the extra size is water and veggie. That’s a good trade for a party treat.
What Goes Into Turkey Zucchini Pupcakes?
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Ground turkey (½ lb / 227 g): Plain, no seasoning. 93% lean is a good pick. Cook to 165°F.
- Zucchini (1 cup grated, squeezed): About 1 small zucchini. Leave the skin on.
- Egg (1 large): Binds the pupcakes. AKC says eggs should be fully cooked for dogs, with no salt or seasoning.
- Never add: onion, garlic, chives, salt, or butter. The ASPCA lists onions, garlic, and chives as harmful to dogs. See our list of foods dogs cannot eat before you add anything extra.
Got three things in the pantry? You will find more ideas in my short-list dog treat recipes.
How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Zucchini Dog Treats?
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease 6 cups of a regular muffin tin, or use silicone cups.
- Grate the zucchini on the small holes of a box grater.
- Put the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel. Twist and squeeze over the sink. You’ll be shocked how much water comes out.
- In a bowl, beat the egg with a fork.
- Add the turkey and the squeezed zucchini. Mix with your hands until it looks even.
- Divide the mix into the 6 muffin cups. Press it down gently.
- Bake for 22 to 28 minutes. Check one pupcake in the middle with a thermometer. It must reach 165°F (74°C), the safe number for ground poultry on the FoodSafety.gov chart.
- Let them cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then move them to a plate.
- Pour off any juice that collects. Cool fully before serving.
Pro Tip
Don’t skip the squeeze. Zucchini is mostly water. If you leave the water in, your pupcakes turn soggy and fall apart. One small zucchini can give up a few tablespoons of liquid.
What Size Pupcake Should I Make?
The size depends on your dog and the day. Here’s how I decide.
| Pan | Makes | Bake time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular muffin tin | 6 | 22 to 28 min | Birthday treat, cut into pieces |
| Mini muffin tin | 18 | 14 to 18 min | Small dogs and everyday rewards |
| 8×8 pan, cut in squares | 16 | 20 to 25 min | Quick slicing, no tin needed |
Always check the center for 165°F, no matter which pan you use. Smaller ones cook faster.
How Many Calories Are in a Pupcake?
I added up the ingredients using USDA FoodData Central numbers. The whole batch comes to about 430 calories. That’s roughly 72 calories per regular pupcake, or about 24 per mini.
That’s a lot for a small dog in one go. The VCA guideline says treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories. So on Waffles’ birthday, I gave him half a pupcake and cut his dinner a little. On normal days, he gets a quarter.
Our guide to how many treats a dog should have a day has more help.
Vet Tip
Party days can be rough on tummies. If your dog has never had turkey or zucchini, try a small piece a few days before the party. That way you know it agrees with them before the big day.
How Do I Throw a Simple Dog Birthday?
You don’t need much. Here’s what we did:
- One pupcake on a plate, with a paper flag stuck in the top (removed before eating).
- A paper crown for photos. Waffles tolerated it for about four seconds.
- A short walk to his favorite park.
- A new chew toy.
I set up a pet camera so I could catch the moment he spotted his pupcake. Worth it.
If you want a sweet option for the party, our pumpkin banana dog pancakes stack up like a little cake too.
Can I Change the Recipe?
Sure. Here are swaps that work well:
- Chicken for turkey: Plain ground chicken works the same way.
- Meatballs instead of cups: Roll the mix into small balls, like our turkey pumpkin meatball bites. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, to 165°F.
- Yellow squash for zucchini: Same weight, same squeeze.
- Grated carrot: Swap half of the zucchini for grated carrot to add color.
- No egg? Use 2 tablespoons of plain pumpkin. The pupcakes will be a bit softer.
If you have tons of zucchini left, try our easy zucchini dog treats recipe or the healthy zucchini dog treats.
How Do I Store Them?
- Fridge: Up to 3 days in a sealed container.
- Freezer: Wrap each pupcake and freeze for up to 2 months.
- To serve from frozen: Thaw in the fridge overnight. Serve cool or at room temperature, never hot.
Key Takeaway
Turkey, zucchini, and egg make a moist, savory pupcake with no flour or sugar. Squeeze the zucchini dry, bake to 165°F, and cut big pupcakes into small pieces. They’re perfect for birthdays and for using up garden zucchini.
Zucchini Dog Treat Questions
Can dogs eat zucchini skin? Yes. AKC says all parts of the zucchini plant are non-toxic. I leave the skin on and grate it fine.
Can I add a “frosting”? I keep it plain. If you want a topping, a thin smear of plain unsweetened Greek yogurt works for dogs who handle dairy well. Keep it very small.
Is zucchini bread okay for dogs? No. AKC warns that zucchini bread and other baked goods have extra fat and sugar, and some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Can I serve the pupcake warm? Let it cool first. Hot meat can burn a dog’s mouth.
Will my dog get diarrhea from zucchini? Most dogs do fine. AKC notes that large amounts of anything can upset a tummy. Start small.
My Final Thoughts
Waffles ate his birthday pupcake in about two bites, then looked at me like I owed him another. That’s a win in my book. These 3 ingredient zucchini dog treats turn a pile of garden squash into a real party snack. Save some for the next birthday.
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