Easy Pumpkin and Banana Dog Treats

These easy pumpkin and banana dog treats use four ingredients: plain pumpkin puree, a ripe banana, an egg, and flour. They take about 40 minutes from start to finish. The one thing that keeps them safe is using 100% pure pumpkin, never pumpkin pie filling, which can hide sugar, spices, and even xylitol.

Recipe Snapshot

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes
• Total time: About 40 minutes (plus cooling)
• Yield: About 40 one-inch treats
• Difficulty: Easy
• Storage life: 7 days in the fridge, 3 months in the freezer

✅ Key Takeaway: Plain pumpkin + ripe banana + egg + flour. About 25 calories per one-inch treat (my estimate). Keep all treats to 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

I like recipes that use what’s already in my kitchen. This one does. A spotty banana and a can of pumpkin are all it takes to turn a flour bag into a batch of treats your dog will circle the kitchen for.

Are Pumpkin and Banana Safe for Dogs Together?

Yes, for most healthy dogs, in small amounts. Plain cooked or canned 100% pumpkin is fine for dogs, and PetMD’s pumpkin guide says to skip pie filling, which can contain nutmeg, cloves, or xylitol. Bananas are also safe in moderation. PetMD’s banana guide notes that bananas are naturally high in sugar and that treats of all kinds should stay under 10% of daily calories.

That’s why this recipe uses only about half a cup of mashed banana for the whole batch. Each treat has just a small taste. If you want the full banana story, I wrote about it in Can Dogs Eat Banana?

What Do I Need to Make Pumpkin Banana Dog Treats?

Four ingredients and a rolling pin. Here’s the full recipe card.

Pumpkin Banana Dog Treats: Recipe Card

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana, mashed (about ½ cup)
• ½ cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups whole wheat flour, plus extra for rolling (up to ¼ cup more if the dough is sticky)

Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash the banana in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Stir in the pumpkin puree and the egg.
4. Add the flour. Stir until a dough forms.
5. If the dough sticks to your hands, add flour one tablespoon at a time.
6. Lightly flour your counter. Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick (⅛ inch for extra crunch).
7. Cut into small shapes. Re-roll the scraps.
8. Place the treats on the baking sheet, about ½ inch apart.
9. Bake 20-25 minutes for thin treats or 25-30 minutes for ¼-inch treats, until golden and firm at the edges.
10. Cool completely on a wire rack. They crisp up as they cool.

🐾 Dog-Safe Ingredient Check

• Pumpkin: The can should list one ingredient: pumpkin. If it says “pie filling” or “pumpkin pie mix,” put it back.
• Banana: Peeled, and never banana bread, chips, or pudding.
• Flour: Plain whole wheat, not self-rising (it has added salt and leavening).
• Spices: No nutmeg or cloves. Skip cinnamon if you want zero worries.
• Add-ins: If you add peanut butter, it must be xylitol-free. See Can Dogs Eat Peanuts Safely?

💡 Pro Tip: Sticky dough? Flour your rolling pin and cutter, not just the counter. Then chill the dough for 15 minutes. It handles much better than adding cup after cup of flour.

Can My Dog Eat These Every Day?

Not as a daily habit. Treat them like any other treat. The common rule is that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, as PetMD explains.

Here’s the math I use. The whole batch is roughly 1,000 calories across about 40 treats, so each one-inch treat is about 25 calories. That’s my own estimate. Your flour and banana size will change it a little.

Rough starting points (count every other treat too):

• Small dogs (under 20 lb): 1-2 treats a day
• Medium dogs (20-50 lb): 2-4 treats
• Large dogs (over 50 lb): 4-5 treats

🩺 Vet Tip: Your vet can tell you your dog’s daily calorie number. Ten percent of that is your treat budget. If your dog has diabetes or is overweight, ask before feeding banana treats.

For more on portions, read How Many Treats Should a Dog Have a Day?

Are Homemade Treats Really Better?

Often, yes, because you control what goes in. There are no mystery fillers, and you can see every ingredient. I go deeper in Are Homemade Dog Treats Healthier Than Your Usual Brand?

If you’re short on time, that’s fine too. On busy weeks I keep a bag of ready-made dog treats on hand, and you can find my picks in Best Treats for Dogs.

How Do I Store and Freeze Them?

Keep cooled treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Freeze them in a flat layer, then bag them, for up to 3 months. Because these have fresh banana and pumpkin in them, I don’t leave them on the counter for days. If they go soft, throw them out.

Want to watch your dog enjoy the first bite from another room? A dog camera makes that easy.

What Can I Swap in These Treats?

Here are safe swaps. I’d test each one with a half batch first.

• Oat flour instead of wheat: Start with 2 cups. The dough will be softer and stickier, so add a little at a time.
• Grain-free: Coconut flour absorbs a lot of moisture, so add it slowly. Treats tend to be softer and don’t keep as long, so freeze what you won’t use in a week.
• No egg: Use 2 extra tablespoons of pumpkin. The dough will be softer.
• Smaller dog or training use: Cut ½-inch pieces. See How to Train a Dog to Sit for a starter reward plan.
• Nutrition boost: If you’re thinking about a supplement, check with your vet first. Then see this dog supplement option.

If you want a pumpkin-only or banana-only version, try Easy Pumpkin Dog Biscuits for Beginners or Simple Banana Oat Dog Treats.

FAQ

Q: Can dogs eat pumpkin and banana together? A: Yes, for most healthy dogs in small amounts. Use plain pumpkin puree and peeled banana, and keep treats under 10% of daily calories.

Q: Can I use canned pumpkin? A: Yes, if the can says 100% pumpkin. Never use pumpkin pie filling. PetMD warns it can contain sugar, spices, and xylitol.

Q: Can I freeze pumpkin banana dog treats? A: Yes. Freeze them in a single layer, then bag them. They keep about 3 months.

Q: Is there a gluten-free version? A: Try oat flour or a coconut flour blend. Add flour slowly, and expect softer treats.

Q: How many treats can my dog have? A: About 1-5 depending on size. Use the calorie guide above and check with your vet.

Q: What foods should I never put in dog treats? A: Xylitol, chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, macadamia nuts. Read What Dog Cannot Eat before you experiment.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This recipe is for healthy adult dogs. Check with your vet before adding new foods, especially for puppies, seniors, or dogs with health conditions.