Pumpkin Cat Treats Recipe
This homemade pumpkin cat treats recipe is a fun and healthy way to spoil your feline friend — made with real, human-grade ingredients; no fillers, additives, or preservatives here.
If your kitty loves homemade treats, you might also like my homemade chicken cat treats — it’s another easy way to show them some love, without giving them the mystery ingredients found in store-bought snacks.
Let’s talk about this recipe
When pumpkin season rolls around, why should your cat be left out of the fun? These treats are crunchy, flavorful, and simple enough to whip up anytime you want to make your cat feel extra special. They take just four simple ingredients to make — baking wholesome, natural goodness into every crunchy little bite.
If your cat isn’t the only fur baby in your home, my homemade apple dog treats, soft sweet potato dog bites, and canine pumpkin lattes are all great recipes for your pooch. They skip all the unnecessary additives and use only real food ingredients too. Both recipes are proof that the healthiest pet treats come from your own kitchen, not from a plastic bag in the store.
What makes these treats so good
- Simple ingredients make this recipe easy to trust and even easier to prepare in your own kitchen.
- No mystery fillers or additives, so you know exactly what your furry friend is getting in every bite.
- Easy to customize so you can whip up a smaller batch, or make a bigger batch, depending on your needs.
- Made with real food that provides fiber, flavor, and nutrients your cat will appreciate.
- Crunchy texture that offers a satisfying snap that makes treat time even more pleasurable.
Ingredients you’ll need
These wholesome ingredients come together to create treats that are simple, nutritious, and cat-approved.
- Oat flour: This is what gives these treats their structure and that satisfying crunch cats love. You can make your own in less than a minute by blending whole rolled oats into a fine powder. It’s more economical than buying pre-made oat flour, and you’ll always know it’s fresh.
- Pumpkin: Use only 100% pure pumpkin purée — not pumpkin pie filling, which contains ingredients that aren’t cat-friendly. Real pumpkin is gentle on the tummy and adds natural fiber, making it a perfect choice for pets.
- Applesauce: Go with unsweetened applesauce that contains only apples and water — no added sugar or flavoring. Homemade applesauce is an excellent choice if you have the time to make it; it’s the purest option and safest for your cat.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Make them your own
- Swap pumpkin for another winter squash, if your cat prefers a slightly milder flavor — butternut, acorn, and kabocha all work beautifully in this recipe.
- Add a touch of tuna water for fish loving felines — the aroma alone can make these treats irresistible to them.
- Mix in a little salmon puree for extra protein and a flavor twist most cats can’t resist.
- Mix in some shredded cooked chicken to add protein and make these treats a little more enticing for picky eaters.
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How To make pumpkin cat treats
These treats come together quickly with just a few steps and a short bake time — the perfect little weekend project to surprise your feline friend.
Step 1: Mix all ingredients together and let rest for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Split the dough in half and roll each piece to about ½-inch thick on a floured surface.
Step 3: Cut into bite-sized pieces with a small cookie cutter.
Step 4: Place the cutouts on a silicone-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, flip, and bake another 10 minutes. Cool on the pan.
Step 6: Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 10 days.
You’ll find measurements, and more detailed step-by-step instructions, in the recipe card below, which you can also print for your convenience if you’d like.
Recipe FAQs
You can, but oat flour is the best choice here — it’s much gentler on your cat’s belly and it creates just the right crunchy texture for these treats.
Yes, as long as it’s 100% pure pumpkin with no added sugar or spices. Pumpkin is known to support healthy digestion in cats.
Treats should make up no more than about 10% of your cat’s daily food intake. These are best served in moderation.
Absolutely! They keep well for several days in an airtight container, and you can also freeze extras for later.
Yes, these treats are dog-friendly. Adjust the size of the treat when you cut them to suit the size of your pup.
Giving these treats to your cat
Offer a few of these treats to your cat as a daily snack or an occasional special reward. You’ll love knowing exactly what’s in each bite they take — and they’ll love the taste. Keep in mind that these treats are meant to complement your cat’s regular diet, not replace it.
I’m currently working on a recipe for an extra-special celebration treat just for cats. In the meantime, if there’s a canine friend in your home who is celebrating a special occasion, my peanut butter bacon pupcakes are a stellar way to show them a little extra love.
Diane Gail’s tips for success
- Use extra flour on the counter: This dough can be sticky, so flouring your surface makes it much easier to roll and cut.
- Let the dough rest before rolling: This gives the oat flour time to fully hydrate, making the dough smoother and easier to handle.
- Work with half the dough at a time: Smaller portions are easier to handle and help minimize struggles with sticking.
- Cut the treats small: Large pieces are crunchy and don’t break easily once baked, so cutting them small ensures that you’ll have bite-size pieces for your cat.
- Watch them closely in the oven: They bake quickly, so keep an eye on them and be sure to flip them halfway through for even browning.
- Freeze for later: Arrange the cooled treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag — this keeps them from sticking together and makes it easy to grab just a few at a time.
When you’re done baking for your furry friend, take a peek at my DIY and slow living posts for more handmade ways to care for home and family.
Pumpkin Cat Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups oat flour
- 3/4 cup 100% pure pumpkin purée
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce unflavored
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Mix ingredients: Combine pumpkin purée, applesauce, oat flour, and egg in a bowl. Stir until a soft dough forms, then let it rest for 10 minutes so the oat flour fully hydrates.
- Roll the dough: Divide the dough in half and roll each portion out to about ½-inch thick on a floured surface. Add extra flour, and use a bench scraper, as needed to prevent sticking.
- Cut into shapes: Use a small cookie cutter or pastry wheel to create treat-sized pieces. A ¾-inch cutter works perfectly for cats.
- Arrange for baking: Place the cut treats on a silicone-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Bake until crisp: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, flip, and bake for another 10 minutes until golden. Cool completely on the pan.
- Store for freshness: Keep treats in an airtight container for up to 10 days. For longer storage, freeze them — lay the baked treats out on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Notes
- Hydrate the oat flour: Letting the dough rest helps the oat flour absorb moisture from the other ingredients, making it smoother and easier to work with.
- Use extra flour: The dough is sticky, so dust your surface well and keep a little extra flour nearby for rolling.
- Freeze for later: Arrange baked treats on a parchment-lined tray and freeze solid before transferring to a freezer-safe container.
- Cut small: These treats bake up crunchy and firm, so smaller pieces make them easier for cats to nibble.
- Watch while baking: Because they’re small, they can brown quickly — flip them halfway through to bake evenly.
- Work in halves: Splitting the dough in two makes rolling and cutting much easier to manage.
These little pumpkin treats are such a fun way to bring your cats into the fall season fun! I love how simple they are to make — just a few real ingredients, and a little time spent in the kitchen, and you’ll have a batch of treats that will last your kitty all season long.
~ Diane Gail