With the chilling celebrations of Howl-o-ween just around the corner, we're bringing our pups to the party! Previously restricted to barking at intrepid trick or treaters and saving their owner from the bogeyman, our loyal canines didn't have much chance to enjoy the occasion. So to reward them for their immense bravery and sacrifice over the years, we've come up with a selection of gruesome and grisly dog treat recipes so that they can have some Hallowe'en fun too.
Of course, our four-legged friends rely on us to keep them healthy so make sure these terrifying treats are given sparingly, and substitute ingredients for pooches who can't tolerate certain foods.
So whether you are baking for your own canine pal at home or are hosting a pup-friendly party, cook up some of these spooky recipes to get those tails wagging. Bone appetit!
Eerie Eyeballs
These evil eyes are not for the faint-hearted. If your pooch is prone to an attack of nerves, don’t leave these unexpectedly in his dog bowl. This one is definitely for the braver breeds.
.png)
Credit: Sugar The Golden RetrieverIngredients
1 cup plain yoghurt
1 tsp coconut oil
Sliced strawberries
Method
1. Mix yoghurt and coconut oil together and pour into ball-shaped ice-cube tray.
2. Add sliced strawberries.
3. Freeze overnight and serve.
4. You can also use a Kong shaped mold for an extra-special treat on hot summer days!
Recipe from Golden Woofs
Ghouly Ghosties
When it’s time to dive under your human’s blankets (that’s you, Great Danes), it’s only right to take a snack with you in case you are under there some time. These biscuits won’t get the soft furnishings all messy either so feel free to take one in for later.
Credit: With Sprinkles On TopIngredients
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheatgerm
1/2 cup melted bacon fat
1 large egg
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup plain Greek yoghurt
1/2 cup tapioca starch
2-3 teaspoons low-fat or 2% milk
Dog-friendly decoration for eyes
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C.
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix by hand until dough forms. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky. Add more bacon fat or water if the dough is too stiff.
3. Roll out onto a floured surface, to a thickness of just under 1/2-inch. Cut into ghost shapes using a cutter and transfer to a cookie sheet. Poke divots into the cookies (you can use the end of a chopstick) and bake in a preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Turn the oven off, flip the cookies, and place back in the oven until cool (this will further crisp them).
4. For the yoghurt frosting, place yoghurt and tapioca starch in a small bowl and thoroughly combine. Mix in milk a teaspoon at a time until consistency of frosting. Then decorate the dog treats and place on wax paper and let them dry. The frosting will harden as it dries. Add some dog-safe eyes to decorate.
Recipes from The Canine Chef Cookbook and The Kitchn
Pumpkin Fro-Yo Bites
Healthy, colourful and yummy – this indulgent orange treat is a favourite with dogs all year round but great on warmer Hallowe’en eves. Easy to make, they are the perfect party treat!
Credit: Irresistible PetsIngredients
1/2 cup non-fat plain frozen yoghurt
1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/4 cup water
Method
1. Mix the yoghurt, pumpkin and water together. You can add more water to help make the mixture runny so that it's easier to fill the ice cube tray.
2. Pour the mixture into a pumpkin-shaped ice cube tray. Use a funnel to prevent spillage.
3. Freeze for 3-4 hours or overnight.
Recipe from Irresistible Pets
Ghostly Ice Cubes
What does my dog want with an ice cube, you may ask? Usually reserved for hot summer days, they can be a tasty treat if made with broth. Or just make with water and pop one in your dog’s bowl for a spooky surprise!
Credit: Irresistible PetsIngredients
Water or chicken/beef broth
Method
1. Fill the ice cube tray with water or broth.
2. Place in the freezer overnight and remove when ready.
3. Drop into your pooch’s water bowl or give to them as a treat on warmer days.
Recipe from Irresistible Pets
Pumpkin and Cheese Mummies
When it’s time for bed and you need to tempt scared pooches from behind the sofa, you’ll need to call in the big guns. These ghouly goodies will get them out in no time.
Credit: KolchakpuggleIngredients
2 eggs
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2 cans shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg yolk (save the white to brush the cookies for a glossy finish)
optional: 1 heaped tsp fresh parsley or parsley paste
Dog-friendly decoration to make eyes
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, then mix in oil and pumpkin. Stir in cheddar cheese. Add flour and baking powder, mixing until combined. Mix the dough with your hands to ensure you get the right consistency. You want the dough to be non-sticky and workable, but not stiff or dry.
2. Set aside 1/3 of the dough. Dust your counter top with flour and roll out the remaining dough to about 3/16" thick.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the pumpkin, egg yolk and parsley. Spread in a thin, even layer over the dough.
4. Roll out the remaining 1/3 of the dough to about 3/16" thick. Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into thin strips. Layer the strips onto your base dough, pressing it gently into the pumpkin filling. Using a round cookie cutter, a drinking glass or a shot glass (depending on the size you want) cut cookies into circles.
5. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 17 - 20 minutes, until golden brown. Remove cookies from oven and allow to cool to the touch. Add some eyes to decorate.
Recipe from Kol's Notes
Scary Skeleton Bones
Not to be confused with the real variety which you really don’t want your four-legged friend bringing in on this most scary of nights, these ghostly bones offer a tasty alternative for hungry pups.
Credit: Irresistible PetsIngredients
2 1/2 cups non-bleached flour
1 egg
1 cup of water
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 cup non-fat plain yoghurt
1/2 cup water
Method
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C and spray the cookie pan lightly to prevent the bones from sticking.
2. Mix all of the ingredients together and knead dough until it forms a ball.
3. Take a small piece of dough and roll it - then place the dough in the bone shaped cookie pan and press it into the shape of the bone.
4. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Take out of the oven and allow the bones to cool. Don't worry about the cracks - they make them look like real skeleton bones!
6. Mix 1 cup of non-fat plain yoghurt with about 1/2 cup water. Mix well so that there are no lumps.
7. Place the cooled bones into the bowl with the yoghurt 'dip' and cover the entire bone.
8. Place the 'dipped' bone on to wax paper and then place bones in freezer until the yoghurt dip is frozen.
Recipe from Irresistible pets
Spooky Zombie Cookies
Fend off unwelcome visitors with these chilling cookies and get your pooch to eat their veggies at the same time! Just make sure that you use dog-friendly vegetables and pup-proof decoration.
Credit: Dalmation DIYIngredients
1/2 cup finely pureed dog-safe green vegetables
1/2 to 3/4 cup rice flour or similar
Water to adjust consistency
Dog-friendly decoration to make zombie faces
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C.
2. Pour your veggie puree into a bowl and incrementally add flour, mixing into a firm dough. The amount of flour required for these treats will vary depending on your chosen veggies (liquid content will vary) and type of flour. Mix incrementally, and you can add a little bit of extra water or flour to adjust consistency to a nice workable play dough type texture if needed. A slightly dry (but still pliable) dough will help create cracks for crinkly zombie skin as you cut/bake.
3. Hand roll into small balls, place on a lined baking sheet, flatten gently, and (optional) decorate. Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Cool before serving or storing.
4. Using green veggies will give these treats a natural green colour or you can add a dog-friendly colouring. To make the zombie faces, your imagination is the limit, but remember to keep it dog safe and size appropriate for your pet.
Recipe from Dalmation DIY
Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Bones
Pumpkin isn’t just for human Hallowe’en pies, small amounts are good for your canine’s digestion and will make them feel part of the celebrations. You can also make the biscuits into scary spider or bloodcurdling bat shapes if your pet is all about the visuals!
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons peanut butter (without Xylitol)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C.
2. Whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough and use a cutter to make the biscuits into bone shapes. Prick the dough with a fork.
3. Bake in preheated oven for about 40 minutes until hard.
Recipe from Allrecipes
Fancy spending Hallowe'en away with your dog?
If you're looking for a place to snuggle up with a furry friend, have a peek at our selection of dog-friendly holiday properties that will welcome you and your very own werewolf. From cosy cottages on windy moors and remote lodges in the Highlands to city apartments and coastal retreats, we'll have something to make this night the most special one of the year!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.