Skip to main content

3 delicious Halloween treats you can make for your dog

Halloween treats for dogs are in no short supply, especially if you’re a pet parent who likes to make dog treats from home. With just a few seasonal ingredients and some time to spend in the kitchen, anyone can bring these fun recipes to life. Trust us, your dog will certainly be glad you did! And with treats this adorable, even the trick-or-treaters will be jealous.

If you’re feeling creative, go ahead and customize any of these recipes to your liking. Different shapes and decorations are fun ways to make these snacks a creation all your own. (Though be sure to use only dog-safe ingredients!) These cute and creepy dog Halloween treats will leave your furry friend drooling for more this October. Here are a few of our frightening favorites:

A Spanish water dog wearing a pumpkin headband lies on an orange pillow and licks their lips
lubero / Adobe Stock

Halloween Eyeball Gelatin Gummy Dog Treats

These layered gelatin treats are just as fun for you to make as they are for your pup to devour on Halloween night. Laura from Dalmatian DIY notes that it will take a bit of time to make, then harden, each layer, so grab a pumpkin spice latte and get comfy at home before you begin. Here’s what you’ll need for these treats:

  • 1 cup cool, unsalted, unseasoned chicken stock
  • 3½ tablespoons powdered gelatin
  • Natural coloring for your treats (spirulina and beetroot powder for the pupils, turmeric for the irises, and yogurt or kefir for the whites of the eyes)
  • A food-safe gelatin mold

You can make things easy for yourself by concocting one batch of gelatin to use for all the layers (follow the directions on the gelatin packaging), using chicken stock instead of water. Then, you’re ready to divide your mixture and add the colors.

Start by mixing spirulina and beetroot powder into a tiny batch to make the pupils of the eye. Use a dropper or spoon to make careful dots in the center of your molds, then set the molds in the fridge to cool while you prep the next layer. Once the pupil is hardened, you can pour your next colored layer (the irises) over it slowly — then cool in the fridge again. For the whites, you’ll complete the same process with a gelatin/yogurt mixture, filling all the way to the tops of the molds.

Check out Dalmatian DIY’s recipe for more detailed, step-by-step instructions.

DIY Skeleton Bones Dog Treats

These ghoulish goodies combine a classic Halloween symbol with a popular chew for dogs — bones, of course! Thanks to Aimee and Irresistible Pets for the recipe. You’ll need to gather these ingredients:

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube

You’ll also need 1 cup of nonfat plain yogurt and another ½ cup of water for the icing that envelops these goodies. A bone-shaped mold is another must-have! To make these mouthwatering cookies, just mix all the ingredients into a dough, press dough into each bone in the mold, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Once they’re baked and cooled, mix together your icing ingredients and coat each cookie thoroughly. A trip to the freezer will help the icing harden and keep the treat fresh for longer, too.

Dog treats spread out around a witch hat-shaped dog cookie
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Easy Homemade Halloween Pumpkin Dog Treats

For a reinvented take on the classic pumpkin, check out this supereasy recipe from Dalmatian DIY. The best part? You need only two ingredients (plus water), though a frozen green pea garnish takes these cookies to the next level. You’ll need:

  • About ½ to ¾ cup brown rice flour
  • 1 small jar pumpkin baby food or ½ cup plain pureed pumpkin
  • Water as needed

Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees, then mix small amounts of flour into your baby food until it reaches the consistency of a dough. If the mixture gets too hard or crumbly, just add a bit of water.

To create your pumpkins, roll the dough into small balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Flatten out the balls with the palm of your hand, then press the thin, flat side of a fork or knife into the dough to make a line running down the middle. Laura, the creator of this recipe, used the curved sides of a spoon to make lines on each side of the middle one for a more rounded, pumpkin-esque, effect. Check out her blog post for step-by-step pictures!

Whichever treat (or treats) you decide to indulge your pup in this October, don’t forget to arrange some festivities for yourself, as well. Enjoy the fall colors with your dog, cuddle on the couch for some spooky movies, or take that extra trip to the pumpkin patch! Fall comes only once a year, after all.

Editors' Recommendations

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
These are the 5 dogs with the least health problems, so your furry friend sticks around for a long time
Bring home one of these breeds for a dog with the least health issues
Chihuahua lies down on a soft rug

Picking out the perfect pooch involves a lot more heart than science — you know the right one the second you see her. But when you choose a dog breed, you should consider a number of factors, including the animal's health and life expectancy, along with other factors, such as size and temperament. After all, you need a pup that fits into your lifestyle and that sticks around with you for a long time. Here's a list of the top five dog breeds with the least health issues.

What breed of dogs has the least health problems
Chihuahua
We're coming with this one out of the gate, because it's the longest-living breed on average. They routinely make it to 20 and nearly always hit the teenage years if properly cared for. Chihuahuas generally have few health issues, though they can be prone to bad teeth, loose knees, and trachea problems like other small dogs. And don't make the mistake that your tiny fluffer doesn't need exercise: She will quickly become obese if not given enough walks and playtime.

Read more
How long can an old dog live with a heart murmur?
Does your old dog have a heart murmur? This guide will help you and your pet
Man in a plaid shirt hugging his dog

Learning that your senior dog has a heart condition can feel devastating. It forces you to contemplate the idea that your best friend won’t be around forever. But while the diagnosis of a heart murmur can be scary, there is no reason to jump to the worst-case scenario. Murmurs range in severity; while some are serious, others are less so. Before you start frantically Googling “old dog heart murmur life expectancy,” keep reading to learn more about the different types of heart murmurs, the prognosis, and how you can help your pup live a long and content life.

What is a heart murmur?
Like us, dogs’ hearts pump blood throughout their bodies, creating a steady beat that can be heard through a stethoscope. If there is a disturbance in the blood flow, it makes a noise distinct from a regular heartbeat called a murmur. There are a few different ways vets classify heart murmurs: type, grade, and configuration.

Read more
Why do dogs sleep on their backs? The adorable reasons will leave you feeling overjoyed
Read this to find out why your dog sleeps on their back
Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever lies on teal couch upside down

Dogs are wonderful companions. They're sweet, loyal, and sometimes a bit goofy. However, their behavior isn't always easy to understand, and they can sleep in some pretty unusual positions. Unique sleeping positions can mean anything, from discomfort and joint pain to just getting comfy. If you've ever looked over at your dog and seem them spread out on their back, you might be wondering if this behavior is as cute as it looks.
We’ve looked into this funny phenomenon to see what vets and canine behavior specialists had to say, and the answer is sweeter than you might expect! Here's everything you need to know about what your dog's sleeping position means.

Why do dogs sleep on their backs? Five reasons for this funny-looking position
Like any behavior or sleep position, back-sleeping can stem from many causes. Some of these reasons are more subtle than others, but none are reasons to worry about your pet’s health or well-being. Generally speaking, when a dog sleeps on their back, it’s a good thing!

Read more