Halloween isn't just for humans. From pumpkin dog biscuits to frozen treats and doggy trick-or-treat bags, there are plenty of ways to include your dog in the fun.
Quick answer: Good Halloween treats for dogs include homemade pumpkin biscuits, frozen pumpkin treats, lick mats and dog-safe treat hunts. Use plain pumpkin with no added sugar, sweeteners or spices. Keep human sweets well out of reach, especially anything containing chocolate, xylitol, grapes or raisins.
Here are seven easy Halloween treat ideas for dogs, plus a guide to the Halloween foods and hazards to keep away from them.
1. Homemade Pumpkin & Oat Dog Biscuits
Pumpkin is a popular ingredient in homemade dog treats because it's naturally rich in fibre and bakes well. Use plain cooked pumpkin or unsweetened pumpkin purée, with no added sugar, sweeteners or spices. Can't find tinned pumpkin? See how to make pumpkin purée at home below.
Makes about 40 biscuits or 20 bars · Prep 15 minutes · Bake 15–25 minutes
Ingredients
200g porridge oats, blitzed into a coarse flour
150g plain pumpkin purée
1 medium egg
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1–3 tbsp water, only if needed
Pumpkin and carrot variation: swap 50g of the pumpkin for cooked, mashed carrot.
How To:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Blitz the oats in a blender or food processor until they look like rough flour.
Add the pumpkin, egg and flaxseed and mix into a soft dough. If it's too dry, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until it holds together.
Either press the dough into a lined tin about 1cm thick and score into bars, or roll it out to about 5mm between two sheets of baking paper and cut out shapes.
Bake bars for 20–25 minutes or biscuits for 15–18 minutes, until firm and lightly golden.
Leave to cool completely before serving.
Storage: keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
For crunchier biscuits: roll the dough slightly thinner, then leave the biscuits in the switched-off oven with the door ajar for another 15–20 minutes.
Want to skip the measuring? Dog & Bond's Pumpkin & Carrot Dog Treat Mix has the dry ingredients ready to go and comes with a reusable bone-shaped cutter. Make the dough, cut out the biscuits and bake them together.
2. Frozen Pumpkin Treats
Not every Halloween dog treat needs an oven. Frozen pumpkin treats take just minutes to make.
Mix 120g plain pumpkin purée with 120g plain, unsweetened natural yoghurt, if your dog tolerates dairy.
Spoon the mixture into small silicone moulds. Paw-shaped moulds make easy individual portions.
Freeze for at least 4 hours.
Check the yoghurt label carefully. Some flavoured or "light" yoghurts contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Serve one or two small treats at a time. You can also combine the pumpkin with another dog-friendly ingredient your dog already enjoys before freezing it.
3. Frozen Pumpkin-Stuffed Chew Toy
A stuffable rubber toy filled with pumpkin keeps many dogs busy for 20 minutes or more.
Mix plain pumpkin purée with a few pieces of your dog's usual kibble.
Spoon it into the toy and seal the end with a little more purée.
Freeze overnight, then give it to your dog on a surface that's easy to clean.
It's a good option on Halloween night if the doorbell keeps ringing and your dog needs something calm to focus on.
4. Halloween-Shaped Dog Biscuits
The easiest way to make ordinary dog biscuits feel Halloween-themed is to change their shape. Make your favourite dog-safe biscuit dough, such as the recipe above, and use Halloween cookie cutters for shapes like:
pumpkins
ghosts
bats
bones
Bake a batch ahead of Halloween so your dog can have their own version of trick-or-treating. Skip the icing and decorations: toppings made for human biscuits often contain sugar or other ingredients that aren't suitable for dogs.
5. Halloween Treat Treasure Hunt
Turn Halloween treats into a game by hiding a few dog-friendly biscuits around the house or garden and letting your dog sniff them out.
Start with easy hiding places and make it harder if your dog enjoys scent games. Use small pieces of their usual treats or homemade biscuits so they don't eat too much. It's simple Halloween fun that also gives your dog mental enrichment.
6. Doggy Trick-or-Treat Bag
Why should humans get all the Halloween bags? Put together a small Halloween surprise for your dog, such as:
a few homemade dog biscuits
a favourite toy or chew
something you can make together, like a dog treat baking mix
If you're visiting friends or family over Halloween, bring your dog's own treats. It makes it easier to stop well-meaning people sharing human sweets with them.
7. Pumpkin Lick Mat
A pumpkin lick mat is an easy no-bake Halloween treat.
Spread a thin layer of plain pumpkin purée across a lick mat.
Serve it straight away, or freeze it first to make it last longer.
No purée in the cupboard? Dog & Bond's pumpkin topper, made with pumpkin, flax and apple, mixes with water into a spreadable paste.
Whatever you use, make sure it contains no added sugar, sweeteners or spices.
How to Make Pumpkin Purée at Home
Tinned pumpkin can be hard to find in UK supermarkets, but homemade purée is easy.
Halve a small pumpkin or butternut squash and scoop out the seeds.
Roast cut-side down at 200°C (180°C fan) for 40–50 minutes, until soft.
Scoop out the flesh and blend until smooth. Don't add salt, butter or spices.
Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it in ice-cube trays for ready-made portions.
Pumpkin purée is not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling contains sugar and spices, including nutmeg, which can be harmful to dogs. Check the label says 100% pumpkin.
How Many Treats Can My Dog Have?
A common vet guideline is that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. On days you give extra Halloween treats, reduce their main meal slightly.
If you're adding plain pumpkin to your dog's food, start small: around a teaspoon for small dogs and a tablespoon for larger dogs. Too much fibre at once can upset their stomach. Ask your vet if your dog has a health condition or a sensitive stomach.
Halloween Foods: Safe vs Unsafe for Dogs
| Food | Safe for dogs? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain cooked pumpkin or 100% pumpkin purée | Yes, in small amounts | No sugar, salt or spices |
| Carrot | Yes | Cooked or raw, cut to a safe size |
| Plain natural yoghurt | Usually, if your dog tolerates dairy | Check for xylitol |
| Oats | Yes | Cooked or baked |
| Chocolate | No | Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous |
| Sweets and gum containing xylitol | No | Xylitol may be listed as birch sugar |
| Grapes, raisins, sultanas | No | Includes fruitcake and some cereal bars |
| Pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin spice | No | May contain sugar and nutmeg |
| Macadamia nuts | No | Watch out for nut chocolates and cookies |
| Alcohol | No | Includes punch and boozy desserts |
| Old carved pumpkins | No | Can go mouldy quickly once left outside |
Other Halloween Hazards for Dogs
Sweet wrappers: foil and plastic can cause blockages if swallowed. Keep sweet bowls and trick-or-treat bags out of reach.
Glow sticks: the liquid tastes very bitter and can cause drooling and distress if chewed.
Candles and lit pumpkins: wagging tails and curious noses can knock them over. Try LED candles instead.
Costumes: make sure your dog can move, see, breathe and bark freely, and never leave them alone in one.
The doorbell: constant callers can stress some dogs and give others a chance to slip out. Give your dog a quiet room away from the front door.
If you think your dog has eaten something they shouldn't have, contact your vet straight away, even if they seem fine.
An Easy Way to Bake Halloween Dog Treats Together
If you'd like to bake Halloween treats for your dog without buying lots of ingredients, our Pumpkin & Carrot Dog Treat Mix makes it simple. It's made to be baked at home and comes with a reusable bone-shaped cutter, so you can make a fresh batch whenever you like.
It's an easy autumn activity, a fun Halloween treat and, most importantly, something you can enjoy doing together.
Halloween Dog Treats: Frequently Asked Questions
What are good Halloween treats for dogs?
Good Halloween treats for dogs include homemade pumpkin biscuits, frozen pumpkin treats, pumpkin lick mats and stuffed chew toys made with dog-safe ingredients. Human Halloween sweets should never be shared with dogs.
Can dogs eat pumpkin?
Yes, dogs can eat plain cooked pumpkin or 100% pumpkin purée in small amounts. It should have no added sugar, salt, sweeteners or spices, so pumpkin pie filling isn't suitable.
How much pumpkin can I give my dog?
Start with around a teaspoon for small dogs and a tablespoon for larger dogs. Too much at once can upset your dog's stomach. Treats, including pumpkin, should make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories.
Can dogs eat a Halloween pumpkin?
Fresh, plain pumpkin flesh is fine to use in dog-friendly recipes. However, don't feed your dog an old carved pumpkin that has been sitting outside, as it can quickly spoil or go mouldy.
Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds?
Plain pumpkin seeds that are roasted without salt or oil and ground up are generally fine in small amounts. Avoid salted or flavoured seeds, and don't give whole seeds to small dogs.
Is pumpkin spice safe for dogs?
No, pumpkin spice mixes usually contain nutmeg, which can be harmful to dogs. Pumpkin spice lattes and desserts also contain sugar and sometimes sweeteners.
Can dogs eat human Halloween sweets?
No, dogs shouldn't eat human Halloween sweets. Many contain chocolate or xylitol, which are toxic to dogs, and wrappers can cause blockages. Give your dog treats made specifically for them instead.
What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?
Contact your vet straight away, even if your dog seems fine. Tell them what kind of chocolate it was, roughly how much was eaten and your dog's weight. Symptoms can take several hours to appear.
How do I make homemade Halloween dog treats?
Make a dog-friendly biscuit dough, such as pumpkin and oat, and cut it out with Halloween cookie cutters. For a no-bake option, freeze plain pumpkin purée in silicone moulds or a stuffable chew toy.