Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

3 delicious Halloween treats you can make for your dog

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

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
Recommended Videos

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

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Can dogs eat shrimp? The answer may surprise you
How to cook, cut, and prepare shrimp for dogs
A French bulldog puppy wearing a yellow sweater stands next to a dog bowl in front of a blue background

When dog owners are in the kitchen, it's only normal to have an extra pair of eyes watching their every move. Furry friends are never far away when food is around, and it's all too easy to toss your dog a table scrap their way when they look up with those pleading eyes. How could you say no?
Unless a dog is dealing with dietary restrictions or medical issues, the occasional bite of people food won't hurt. Of course, it's important to make sure that whatever you're feeding them is safe for canine consumption, as so many dog owners go to the internet to double-check. That's why you're here!
If you've been wondering, "Can dogs eat shrimp?" -- you've come to the right place. We'll break down everything you need to know about feeding dogs shrimp so you can get back to cooking.

Can dogs eat shrimp?

Read more
The best oversized dog beds your pup will love
One of these dog beds will help your puppers have a good night's sleep
Dog in bed with white blanket over his head

If you’ve ever come home from work and caught your pup snoozing on your bed, you know. Dogs like a soft place to lie down every bit as much as we do. And why not? They spend as much as 18 hours a day sleeping.

Big dogs, in particular, can develop health-related problems, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and joint pain, as they age. Not only does the right bed provide comfort and support, but it also enhances good sleep, which is equally important for their cognitive health. The right bed is also one that gives your pooch plenty of room to stretch out comfortably.
Our top recommendations
So, how big should a dog bed be? Take a look at these oversized dog beds for your favorite pup.
FunnyFuzzy Large Dog Cushion Bed

Read more
Does your dog drink a lot of water? Here’s when you should be concerned
It's usually just the weather, but you should look for signs of dehydration or excess thirst
A pug drinking water from a sink faucet

Ensuring your furry best friend gets plenty of water is one of the most important parts of being a pet parent. But how much water should your dog drink on a daily basis? Veterinarians claim the general rule of thumb is a simple equation: The majority of dogs require around 1/2 to 1 ounce (about 1/8 of a cup) of water per pound of body weight each day. Don't want to reach for your measuring cup? Make sure your pup has round-the-clock access to clean water, and everything should be fine.

That being said, if your dog empties their water bowl several times a day, or you notice their intake has increased drastically, you should probably keep a close eye on things. If your dog drinks a lot of water, you may be wondering, "Why is my dog always thirsty?" We'll share how to monitor your pup's water intake, the most common reasons your dog may be thirsty, and when you should speak with your vet.

Read more