Yummy Squash Dog Treat Recipe

In honor of National Acorn Squash Day, September 7, Cristina's Dog Treats shares this simple recipe for acorn squash dog treats! If you love baking for dogs, these vegetable dog treats are healthy and easy to make. 

Squash dog treat recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup squash, pureed
• 1/4 cup canola/olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1 egg
• 3 cups rice flour

Directions

• Cut the squash in half and takes the seeds out
• Place in the oven at 400 F and bake until tender. 
• Scrape it out and do a quick blend to puree it.
• Mix squash, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and honey together.
• Add egg and oil.
• Slowly add the flour. You want to add enough flour to form a nice dough that is still a little sticky but not too sticky.
• Knead and roll out on a floured surface to 1/4" thickness. 
• Cut out into desired shapes. 
• Bake at 350 F for 15 to 20 minutes. For crunchier dog treats, turn the oven off and let the biscuits sit. 

Cristina gives this warning: "The treats smells delicious while baking so humans may come by to sample them."

Acorn squash is non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

Pumpkin may be used in place of squash if your dogs prefer.

Fruit Dog Biscuits

Make homemade fruit dog biscuits and your kitchen will smell fresh and inviting!

This recipe is for those dogs that enjoy citrus flavors. These fruit dog treats were baked by Cristina's Dog Treats, a dog bakery based in Tillamook, Oregon.

Fruit dog biscuits from Cristina's Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup oatmeal 
• 2 cups flour or rice
• 1 orange zested and juiced
• 1 lemon zested and juiced

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Zest the orange and the lemon
• Microwave for 10 seconds to help release the juice
• Mix all the ingredients together to form a dough
• Knead the dough and roll out
• Cut shapes as desired
• Bake in oven for 15 minutes

The recipe asks you to "zest". Just what does that mean?

As Cristina explains, "You take the fruit peels and scrape the very top. Do not use any of the white part of the peel." The white part, or "pith", tastes bitter which is why you do not want to include any in the dough!

There is a baking tool called a zester made just for this very instruction and makes it easy. Move the zester all across the peel in a horizontal direction.

Join the Facebook group "Homemade Dog Treats" and learn about baking for your pooch! 

Making Dog Treats

Want to learn about making dog treats? You are invited for dog treat recipes, business tips, networking, making new friends who share your interests, and more! Click "Homemade Dog Treats Facebook Group" now to become a member! It's free and carries no obligations.

Making homemade dog treats is always a fun activity! Plus...you are guaranteed that someone will enjoy everything you bake!

Making dog treats

The "Homemade Dog Treats Facebook Group" was started in August, 2012, as a networking and gathering place for those who share the passion or the interest of baking for dogs. As of this post we have over 200 members from around the world, and more join every day. 

The group is moderated by Frosting Fran from K9Cakery.com, and an expert crafter, Theresa The Scrapbooking Queen. But don't let the group name dissuade you. You do not have to make dog treats at home to join! We also share craft making ideas and how to make cat treats too! 

We share dog treat recipes, information about dog nutrition, craft ideas, dog treat business tips for beginners and those already in the business, strategy for marketing dog treats, pricing, selling and more. The group is comprised of those starting out in business, veteran business people, expert cake decorators, people who have never decorated before, and others who are just curious. 

If you need motivation, you will definitely find it here. If you need interesting recipe ideas, you will definitely find them here. If you want to "meet" like-minded people who do not think that baking dog treats and cakes for dogs is strange behavior, this is the right place to be.

All you have to do is request an invite by clicking the red link above. We hope you will join us!

If you would prefer to stay in touch but not be in a group, simply sign up to follow this blog. I regularly post easy dog treat recipes, photos, and other interesting information that comes from the group with due credit given.