Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs – Healthy + Yummy

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Your furry family member will be waking you up early for these pumpkin pancakes for dogs. However, you don’t have to feed them these pancakes just for breakfast. Well, I guess you could! Nonetheless, you might as well save them as a special treat for anytime of the day.

These pumpkin pancakes for dogs are seriously healthy for your fur baby. For starters, the pumpkin purée adds so many nutrients to make these pancakes healthy. For instance, you can read here how pumpkin is a nutrient powerhouse for your dog.

However, the pumpkin in these pumpkin pancakes for dogs isn’t the only healthy ingredient. Unsweetened applesauce delivers a healthy punch. To clarify, you can read here about the health benefits your dog can derive from eating unsweetened applesauce.

In addition, the heartiness of these pumpkin pancakes for dogs comes from the quick rolled oats. Find out here why I added oats to these dog pancakes.

So, when deciding on which ingredients would work in this recipe, I kept contemplating the use of milk. For instance, I always use milk when making pancakes for my husband and I. However, I haven’t used milk in any of my dog treat recipes. 

Furthermore, I’m not sure why I haven’t used milk, other than the controversy among pet nutritionists. For example, some pet nutritionists say milk and dairy products are safe for our dogs. On the other hand, some blame them for all sorts of dog health issues.

Most importantly, many dog treats on the market and dog treat recipes contain milk. Therefore, is it a safe and healthy ingredient to include in these pumpkin pancakes for dogs?

Cow’s Milk in Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs

After researching the above question, I found the answer to be yes. Yes, milk is a safe and healthy ingredient to include in these pumpkin pancakes for dogs.

However, it is important to note that this also depends on your dog. For instance, some dogs are lactose intolerant or even allergic to milk and dairy products. 

Furthermore, most lactose intolerant dogs are not born that way. In fact, just like with people, lactose intolerance usually develops during adulthood. 

Common Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance:

• Bloating
• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Therefore, observe your dog for any signs of sensitivities when feeding dairy products. Plus, it’s good practice to observe unusual signs when giving your dog something not usually in their diet.

In addition, milk ingredient treat recipes contain a minimal amount. To clarify, the measured amount of milk is small and dispersed into several small treats.

Therefore, if your dog shows no signs of intolerance, milk is a healthy ingredient to add to treats. Milk is a good source of nutrients like protein and calcium. In addition, milk provides important vitamins such as, D and B12.

Nevertheless, as already pointed out, the main issue with giving milk to dogs is the potential for intolerance. So, if you are uncomfortable with this ingredient, there are alternatives.

For instance, you can substitute the cow’s milk with goat’s milk. Plus, you can use plant based milks such as almond, oat, coconut, and soy. Pippa at the Labrador Site covers these alternatives more thoroughly.

Let’s Make Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs

These pumpkin pancakes for dogs are healthy and yummy. In addition, the almond butter glaze gives an added flavor. Other toppings you can add are blueberries, strawberries, or bananas. However, dogs are perfectly happy eating these pancakes plain.

This recipe is called Pumpkin Pup Pancakes with Almond Butter Glaze.

Pancake Ingredients Needed:

• quick rolled oats
• Ceylon cinnamon
• ground ginger
• organic pumpkin purée
• organic unsweetened applesauce
• 2% cow’s milk

Glaze Ingredients Needed:

• almond butter
• melted coconut oil

Pancakes Step by Step

First, put the oats, cinnamon, and ginger in a blender or food processor. Then, blend these three ingredients for about 60 seconds until finely ground. I used a small food processor I purchased at my local Bed Bath & Beyond. 

Secondly, in a small mixing bowl, stir together the pumpkin purée, applesauce, and milk. Most importantly, make sure the applesauce is unsweetened. If you would rather use eggs, substitute with two. Plus, DO NOT use pumpkin pie filling. You can also make your own pumpkin purée and applesauce. I love using organic whenever possible.

Thirdly, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until evenly combined. You want the batter to be liquidy similar to pancake batter you make for yourself. However, it will not be as smooth because of the ground rolled oats.

Then, lightly coat the surface of a non-stick pan with coconut oil and heat at medium. You can use olive oil instead of coconut oil. Furthermore, you’ll know the pan is hot enough when a drop of water sizzles on it.

Next, pour a ⅛ cup or 1 tablespoon of batter onto the pan.

Continue pouring three to four scoops. While scooping, quickly shape each one into a circle using the edge of a spoon or butter knife.

After that, let the pancakes cook for two to three minutes until firm enough to flip. It’s important to note that you will not see the bubbling like normal pancake batter does. Once the underside is lightly golden, flip the pancakes with a spatula. Then, cook for another 90 seconds to 2 minutes.

Next, place the cooked pancakes on a cookie sheet to cool. Then, lightly oil the pan in between, repeating the above steps until all of the batter is gone.

Glaze Step by Step

First, melt the coconut oil in the microwave for 20 seconds. Again, you can substitute with olive oil.

Secondly, in a small bowl, mix the coconut oil and almond butter together until smooth. In addition, you can substitute with peanut butter for the almond butter. My Bella is allergic to peanut butter, so I use almond butter for treat recipes.

In Conclusion

Above all, the best part of making homemade dog treats is sharing them with your fur baby. My two eagerly await for me to finish and one treat never seems to satisfy.

You can store these pumpkin pancakes for dogs in an airtight container or storage baggie.  Then, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. In addition, you can keep them in the freezer for up to three weeks.

Furthermore, I found that it is easier to store the pancakes and glaze separately. Therefore, you can add the glaze whenever you serve a pancake to your dog. Plan to store the glaze in an airtight container. Plus, you can leave it in the pantry or on top of the kitchen countertop.

What variations would you add to these pumpkin pancakes for dogs? We would love to read about your creativeness in the comments below.

We have other recipes in our Dog Chef section that include pumpkin purée, unsweetened applesauce, or rolled oats. You might want to try these:

• BUTTERY PUMPKIN DOGGY COOKIES
• BANANA APPLE PUPCAKES
• DOGGY DONUTS

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