Hunting for the Perfect Dog Birthday Cake?
It’s that time of the year again – dark evenings, windswept walks, pumpkins in the fields and mischief in the air! Halloween is a great excuse for a bit of fun and community spirit, so why not involve your four-legged family members too. They’re bound to get excited with all that door-knocking at trick or treat o’clock, and whilst some pooches might prefer to sit the evening’s antics out in a quiet corner, you can still spoil them with a couple of dog friendly Halloween treats.
Whilst Halloween treats for dogs are a great excuse to make a fuss of your furry friend, they’re a far cry from the sweets the neighbourhood kids are hoping for when they ring the doorbell. Dogs should avoid refined sugar; our treats contain no added sugar and can be enjoyed all year round.
Dogs can enjoy natural sweetness through certain fruits and vegetables and they don’t need sugary treats to get excited; our Turkey with Pumpkin Superfood Bars are Halloween dog treats at their seasonal best! You could also try treating them to an exciting new protein to mark special occasions, like our Country Hunter Wild Venison, or full-flavoured Rabbit Complete and Balanced Raw Nuggets. All our recipes and treats are made with only real, natural and wholesome ingredients, and never with added sugar or artificial colours or preservatives.
Get into the spirit with homemade Halloween treats for dogs
If you enjoy a spot of home baking, why not get into the spirit of the season by making some dog friendly Halloween treats. We love these easy-peasy peanut butter dog cookies, which you can theme for the occasion with a pumpkin cookie cutter.
PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN HALLOWEEN DOG TREATS
INGREDIENTS
·135g rolled oats
·125g natural peanut butter (no added sugar or salt, xylitol free)
·2 medium extra ripe bananas
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 180 and line a baking tray with parchment.
2. Blitz the oats in a food processor.
3. Mash bananas, then combine with oats and peanut butter to form a firm, sticky dough.
4. Roll out the dough to roughly ¼ inch thickness then use your pumpkin cutter to cut your biscuits out.
5. Bake for 10-15 mins and leave to cool completely.
Banana and Carrot Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting
If you’re an avid baker, you might want to use the occasion as a reason to make your darling dog some Halloween cupcakes – we love this simple, healthy recipe from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Our Natures Menu Meaty Treats or Superfood bars make the perfect cupcake toppers.
INGREDIENTS
For the cupcakes
·210g wholemeal flour
·1 peeled banana, mashed
·Half a grated carrot
·2tsp coconut oil
·250ml oat milk
·1 egg
If you’re an avid baker, you might want to use the occasion as a reason to make your darling dog some Halloween cupcakes – we love this simple, healthy recipe from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Our Natures Menu Meaty Treats or Superfood bars make the perfect cupcake toppers.
INGREDIENTS
For the cupcakes
·210g wholemeal flour
·1 peeled banana, mashed
·Half a grated carrot
·2tsp coconut oil
·250ml oat milk
·1 egg
For the decoration
1 large sweet potato, mashed
Meaty Treats for decorations
METHOD
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees centigrade and pop paper cases in your cupcake tin.
Mash banana, then add whisked egg, grated carrot, melted coconut oil and oat milk. Mix, then stir in the flour.
Spoon the cake mixture into the cupcake cases and bake for 25 – 30 minutes until completely cooked through, then remove from the oven and leave to cool. Don’t worry if your cupcakes don’t rise much - that’s because there is no baking powder in this recipe.
Whilst your cakes are cooling, make the frosting. Peel and chop your sweet potato into chunks, then boil in a saucepan of water for 15-20 minutes until soft. Drain and leave to cool before mashing. Make sure it’s mashed thoroughly and that there are no lumps. Loosen with a little water and spoon into a piping bag, ready to decorate your cakes.
Pipe some of your mash onto each cupcake and decorate with a Meaty Treat or Superfood Bar.
When the evening’s fun begins, let your dog join in with a Halloween cupcake!
If you’re not so keen to get out the wooden spoons and apron, you could try mixing some canned pumpkin in with our canned and pouch food and stuffing it into a Kong. Pop the stuffed Kong into the freezer for a tasty, chewy Halloween dog treat. Be sure to buy 100% natural pumpkin puree and avoid any added salt or sugar. For more pumpkin dog friendly Halloween treats inspiration, check out these three simple and healthy recipes from the American Kennel Club.
If you fancy giving your pooch a non-edible Halloween dog treat, we rather like this spookily cute Rufus and Rosie Spider, best suited to smaller breeds and a fun touch to pop in their beds when you’re putting up your decorations. We also love d for dog’s spooktastic Halloween dog toy range, particularly Mumzy! This rather smashing pumpkin harness made us smile, and is perfect to help your pooch be seen if they accompany you trick or treating.
Whatever your plans for Halloween, there’s no reason you can’t mark the occasion for the dog in your life, whether that’s by getting out your baking kit and rustling up some homemade Halloween dog treats, or by treating them to a seasonal recipe or spooky toy. Remember that some dogs might prefer to spend the evening away from any loud gatherings or excitable kids on a sugar high, and make sure those candy-filled trick or treat bowls are kept well out of your four-legged friend’s reach!