It’s officially spooky season! With pumpkins picked and doorways decorated, there’s only one thing left to prepare, and that’s those all-important seasonal snacks. Homemade treats are a great way to embrace the fun of Halloween, but why leave our howling hounds on the sidelines when it’s so easy to get them involved?
It’s important to understand what foods are poisonous to dogs before making homemade treats, so with the support of our friends at Battersea, we’re on hand with our trick or treat suggestions! For more inspiration, look out for our dog treat recipes in this guide or read Battersea’s guidance on toxic food for dogs.
In the mood for an autumnal getaway with Fido in tow? Click the button below to explore our collection of dog-friendly cottages and find rural boltholes, coastal retreats, farm stays and plenty more.
Poisonous foods for dogs FAQs
Yes, homemade treats can be very good for dogs, provided you take caution with the ingredients you use and how often you treat them. Making dog treats means you have total control over the ingredients your dog consumes.
However, our friends at Battersea stress that you should only make treats occasionally and ensure they’re fed to dogs in small amounts, alongside a well-balanced diet that is appropriate for their age and lifestyle
The healthiest treats for dogs are unprocessed foods that are low in calories and high in vitamins. Examples include carrots, apples (without seeds), blueberries, plain cooked sweet potato and lean, unseasoned meat.
As always when it comes to throwing dog treats down, make sure you complement them with a balanced diet and always avoid harmful ingredients, some of which are highlighted in this guide.
Fruits and veg that are safe for dogs include seedless apples, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, pumpkin, cucumber and sweet potatoes. Examples like these foods are high in vitamins and antioxidants.
Household fruit and veg that are dangerous to dogs include grapes, onions, garlic and avocados, some of which are explained in this guide.
Banana
Treat! Bananas are great for dogs thanks to their high levels of potassium, Vitamin C and fibre. These nutrients help to calm dogs’ stomachs, support digestion and aid bone growth. Low in cholesterol and fat, bananas offer a healthy and natural treat but should be given in moderation to prevent excess sugar intake.
Dog treat recipe: Banana biscuits
Ingredients: 1 banana, 60g mashed sweet potato, 160g oats/oat flour
Method: Peel, chop, and boil the sweet potato until soft, then cool completely. Blend the oats into flour, or use pre-made oat flour. Mash the banana with the cooled sweet potato until smooth, then mix it with the oat flour to form a dough. Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Roll the dough to 1cm thickness, cut it into your desired shapes, and bake on a lined tray at 180°C for 30–35 minutes. Cool thoroughly before serving.
Corn on the cob
Trick! Corn on the cob can be very harmful to dogs because, although they can digest corn kernels, the cob itself is a major hazard. If swallowed, it can obstruct your pup’s intestines, leading to severe complications.
Buttery cobs may look tasty to your furry friend, but it’s best to always keep them away.
Beetroot
Treat! Beetroot is very healthy for dogs thanks to its rich combination of Vitamin C, potassium, iron, and magnesium. These nutrients come together to strengthen Fido’s immune system, support his digestion, and contribute to a shinier coat.
As well as providing minerals that boost a dog’s energy and health, beetroot’s natural antioxidants also protect cells.
Dog treat recipe: Beetroot, cranberry and honey gummies
Ingredients: 1 beetroot, 25g cranberries, 22 packs of unflavored and unsweetened gelatin, 80g honey, shaped moulds
Method: Thinly slice your beetroot and add it to a saucepan with 250ml of cold water and pierced cranberries. Simmer for 20 minutes, then let it cool. Strain, reserving the liquid, and sprinkle the unsweetened gelatin into it, letting it sit for 5 minutes. Heat gently until dissolved, add honey, and stir. Pour into moulds and allow to set.
Remember to only use gelatin that is unsweetened and xylitol-free.
Onions
Trick! Onions contain compounds that damage our dogs’ red blood cells, leading to symptoms like fatigue, vomiting and possibly anaemia. Eating an onion could result in life-threatening health issues for your pup because they lack the enzymes needed to break down an onion’s harmful compounds – making even small amounts potentially toxic.
For Fido’s safety, always keep him away from onions and similar foods like garlic and chives.
Honey
Treat! Honey can be very beneficial for dogs as it contains natural sugars, vitamins and antioxidants that boost energy, support immunity and enhance their coat’s shine. Honey could also help with minor irritations and allergies for your pup, making it a great natural remedy at this time of year.
However, due to honey’s high sugar content, it should only be an occasional treat, especially if Fido is trying to shift a few pounds.
Dog treat recipe: Honey and peanut butter bites
Ingredients: 130g whole wheat flour, 45g rolled oats, 65g peanut butter (unsweetened, xylitol-free), 20g honey, 120ml water
Method: Mix the flour, oats, peanut butter (unsweetened and xylitol-free), honey, and water into a dough. Roll out the dough and cut it into shapes before arranging them on a baking sheet. Bake at 175°C for 15–20 minutes until they're golden brown. Allow the treats to cool completely before serving to your dog.
Remember to only use peanut butter that is unsweetened and xylitol-free.
Sweetener
Trick! Xylitol is a sweetener found in many human treats, but should always be kept away from dogs as it causes a rapid release of insulin, leading to a sharp drop in blood sugar. This drop can cause fatigue, vomiting, tremors, seizures and liver failure in dogs.
Unlike humans, dogs can digest xylitol quickly, meaning even a small amount of the natural sweetener could be toxic in as little as 10 minutes.
Pumpkin
Treat! And it’s a good job too, now Fido can join in on the pumpkin-carving fun! Pumpkin’s rich fibres and important vitamins not only support healthy digestion and aid with constipation and diarrhoea, but also help weight management and contribute to a healthy coat, skin and eyes.
Low in calories and high in antioxidants, pumpkin makes for a great seasonal dog treat, especially when served plain and cooked.
Dog treat recipe: Frozen pumpkin and yoghurt
Ingredients: 200g pure pumpkin puree, 250g plain yoghurt, jumbo ice cube tray
Method: Mix your pumpkin and yoghurt in a bowl, then pour the mixture into ice cube trays. Freeze for 24 hours, creating a frozen treat for your dog that’s simple, healthy, and delicious. When you’re ready to treat your dog, pop a cube out of the mould and allow it to melt slightly before serving. This step ensures the cube won’t stick to your dog’s tongue, making it a safe and refreshing snack.
Grapes
Trick! Even if Fido only steals a couple, grapes are toxic to dogs and can lead to liver damage and kidney failure. With symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and a decreased appetite, you should always keep your dog away from grapes.
Due to the varied severity of grape toxicity, any ingestion should be treated as an emergency, with immediate vet advice.
Learn more about Battersea
Before you treat your deserving doggo to their Halloween snack, it's important to remember Battersea's advice that you should only treat your dog occasionally and in small amounts, and that it's important to complement treats with a well-balanced diet that is appropriate for your dog's age and lifestyle.
For more dog owner support and advice this Halloween, Battersea's Canine Behviourist and Training Manager, Nathalie Ingham, says “While Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for us humans, our pets don’t always share the same spooky enjoyment. At Battersea, we have a range of tips and advice to consider this Halloween season to make sure your dogs stay safe and don’t get spooked, from giving your pets their own safe space where they can retreat away from the hustle and bustle, to keeping them away from human sweets.”
Book a dog-friendly getaway this autumn
If all this talk of spooky snacks has put you in the mood for an autumnal getaway with Fido, click the link below to explore our collection of last-minute dog-friendly cottages.
Retreat to the countryside on a working farm, spot the stars from a cosy cottage garden or gather your friends and furry companions for a group stay in a luxurious cottage. Whatever your seasonal plans are, our collection is sure to offer the perfect base.
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.