Frosty Pumpkin Dog Treats for Fall Itchy Skin
These Frosty Pumpkin Dogs Treats are the perfect way to help elimate fall itchy skin that many dogs experiece! With just a few simple & healthy ingredients, you can whip up a batch of delicious treats to calm your dogs fall-inflamed skin!
Nothing is worse than when you beloved dog is plagued with itchy skin, causing them to bite, scratch and lick themselves constantly. There are many reasons dogs (and cats) get itchy and it’s important to distinguish between an chronic issue vs a temporary issue.
Several weeks ago, I found a puppy and brought him home to keep him safe, while trying to find his owner. Of course there are always risks associated with bringing any dog into your home with other pets…. but I wasn’t worried since Hercules is frequently socialized in public with a wide variety of other animals in which I do not have any health history on.
I gave “puppy” a quick check over before he was introduced to Hercules. The only thing that I noticed was that “Puppy” did have a few fleas – not an infestation – just a few random fleas after combing and visually inspecting him.
Puppy got a bath with peppermint soap, I spritzed him with my flea & tick spray and gave him several of my Homemade Flea Prevention Treats. I repeatedly checked ‘puppy’ to make sure there weren’t anymore fleas – and proactively checked Hercules to make sure he didn’t get any on him (I didn’t find any fleas on Hercules, thanks to him regularly getting my Homemade Flea Prevention Treats!!)
Around the same time that Puppy stayed with us (sadly, he was returned to his owner about 30 hours later, we still miss him!), Hercules got itchy. I did notice him scratching a little BEFORE ‘puppy’ was with us and remembered that he was also itchy last year in the fall as well.
When something changes with Hercules’ health, I don’t immediately run him to the vet for a pharmaceutical drug – I always do my best to safely and logically figure out what’s happening and why. Then I use real food, supplements and natural methods to help him first – I’ve completely avoided vet visits by treating minor issues naturally with things like these Homemade Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treats!
I do need to say that I’m not a vet and you need to always use your best judgement when caring for your pet. When in doubt take your pet to the vet, ideally a holistic or integrative vet.
There are 3 main reasons dogs get itchy skin; Fleas, Food Allergies and Environmental Allergies. I determined with Hercules’ itchy skin that it was NOT fleas or a food allergy – Since this itchy skin came on seasonally, it’s fair to assume that since there aren’t any other symptoms that it’s most likely something in the fall air causing him to get itchy.
Since Hercules’ itchy skin seemed linked to fall environmental allergies, I researched ways that I could help support his body’s reaction to the allergen and improve his health overall.
What’s in my Frosty Pumpkin Dog Treats:
- Kefir – Just as probiotic bacterias are beneficial for human health, they are also beneficial for our pets health too! Instead of spending money pills, potions and lotions – I always prefer to obtain health boosting substances from their naturally occurring, real food sources, like using inexpensive, homemade kefir instead of a store bought probiotic supplement powder or pill. Click HERE to learn how to make Kefir
- Pumpkin – Dogs LOVE pumpkin and it’s super good for their health. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber and with 90% water content is very hydrating, which is helpful for a dog’s digestive health particularly constipation and/or diarrhea. Pumpkin is rich in the anti-oxidant beta-carotene, by just looking at its vibrant color. Pumpkin may also improve skin conditions and produce a shinier coat. Researchers are also studying whether the amino acid, cucurbitin, found in pumpkin and pumpkin seeds may be a natural dewormer for tapeworm and other intestinal parasites.
- Brewers Yeast – Not to be confused with any other type of yeast, Brewers Yeast, is an inactive yeast that is a popular dietary supplement. It is rich in antioxidants and pet owners supplying their pet with a daily brewers yeast tablet report their dog’s coat is shinier. Another benefit includes healthier skin. There’s less itchy, dry skin in dogs taking daily brewers yeast supplements.With a healthy coat, a dog is less likely to shed large amounts of fur. While it is natural to shed hair, poor nutrition causes a dog to shed more frequently. In addition, poor nutrition causes fur to look dull and lack any hint of shine. Think about any dog show you’ve seen on television. Those dogs often have thick, shiny coats due to extensive grooming and daily use of nutritional supplements like brewers yeast for dogs. Hercules also gets daily doses of Brewers Yeast in my Homemade Flea Prevention Dog Treats!
- Salmon/Fish Oil: Fish oil is probably the most important supplement you can add to your dog’s diet, regardless of what type of diet you feed. EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, provide widespread benefits, but they are fragile and unlikely to survive storage in bags of kibble, or may be rancid even before being added to pet foods.
Proven benefits from EPA and DHA include:
- Improving the coat and skin.
- Reducing inflammation due to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Regulating the immune system, boosting those that are suppressed and calming overactive immune systems for dogs with allergies or autoimmune diseases.
- Aiding in mental development of fetuses and puppies, and improving cognitive function in older dogs
- Lowering blood pressure and triglycerides
- Providing support for dogs with kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer. – Promoting weight loss in overweight dogs.
CAUTION: Fish oil should be protected from light, heat, and air. Store liquid fish oil in opaque/dark colored bottles in the refrigerator. Purchase amounts that can be used within one or two months to avoid rancidity. If you notice an “off” odor, discard the oil.
How to make Frosty Pumpkin Dog Treats:
Making my Frosty Pumpkin Dog Treats can’t get much easier! You simply add all the ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth. Then transfer them into cute little dog bone silicone molds and freeze!
For best results, transfer your blended mixture to a plastic bottle (cut the tip to roughly a 1/4 inch diameter opening) and use as a mess-free way to fill silicone molds.
Making Hercules more Frosty Pumpkin Dog Treats – perfect to combat fall allergies and promote general health! They are full of probiotics & healthy fats, in addition to pumpkin! #paleodog #rawdog I’ll be sharing the recipe next week ?? #herculesryczek A photo posted by Hayley Ryczek (@healthstartsinthekitchen) on
The dosage for these treats is NOT critical, the ingredients are healthy, real food/natural ingredients.
For toy dogs give 1 small dog bone treat (roughly 1 tablespoon), small dogs give 2 bones, medium dogs 3 small treats, large dogs 4-5 small treats per day.
Alternatively, for large dogs you can make them large dog bone treats (I typically give Hercules large dog bone treats).
Within a week of giving Hercules these treats, I noticed his itching had greatly reduced. I suggest giving an few extra treats during the first week just to pump their body full of health!
Frosty Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk kefir or Yogurt, preferably homemade
- 16 ounces organic pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup Brewers Yeast
- 1/2 cup Salmon Oil
Instructions
- Use a blender to combine ingredients, blend until completely smooth.
- Fill silicone molds, as desired.
- Freeze 3 hours or until solid.
- Transfer frosty pumpkin dog treats into to a container or plastic zip top bag and store in the freezer, serve frozen.
hello! my dog loved them so much! but do you know how long these stay good in the freezer for?
Two weeks is best when keeping dog treats in the freezer. It’s best to only make as you need them.the longest I have kept mine is one month
Do you think we can bake these treats too, so we don’t have to freeze them.
I don’t think the ingredients will lend well to baking.
I made this treat for one of our two dogs who experiences seasonal skin allergies. Fortunately, he loves them but for some reason our shepherd mix can’t tolerate them. She vomits every time I give her even a small treat. Any ideas about why this would happen with her?
I’m So sorry to hear that your one dog gets sick! I’ve never experienced it with our boys so unfortunately I can’t offer any suggestions.
I have 4 dogs. 1 of my dogs cannot eat anything with salmon or she gets sick and vomits. We have to make sure her dog food and treats do not contain salmon.
Maybe take out the fish oil and use coconut oil instead?
Thanks Hayley! It’s a very good idea for dogs traits! I just wanted to say, that my fish (especially plecos) likes pumpkin peeled with boiled water too!
I am excited to try this recipe as I know my dog will love it. I currently make his food and include digestive enzymes, vitamins, grapefruit seed, and superfood supplement for skin and coat. Until recently, my dog, an
Dogo Argentino loved the mixture of fresh cooked chicken and spinach mixed with his daily supplements. He still loves the chicken and spinach, but refuses to eat if the supplements are included. I started from scratch adding only one supplement at a time in an effort to identify which of the supplements he no longer likes. it was a complete failure. Any suggestions?
I feel that dogs are intuitive to what they NEED not what they like. Supplements are not to be given continuously to any human or animal they are ways to work on a specific thing OR treat a condition.. I’d omit them for a while and then start back up in 6 months or so.
Does it change too much without the brewers yeast? Pup can’t have gluten as he is training to detect gluten.
Brewers yeast is a key ingredient but they can’t be made without it.yiu can also use a GF brewers yeast.
Such a great idea, thank you for sharing the recipe! Will be sure to try out this recipe on my dog soon
Thanks for sharing! This looks like a healthy fall treat!
Does the dog wear an antibark collar??
No. we have 6 acres which are enclosed by underground fence for their safety.
Hi. Would I give the pumpkin treats to my cats too??
sure!
Just made a batch for my itchy n scratchy girl; I used coconut oil, instead of the salmon or other fish oil. You think it will do the trick? If not I will invest in a bottle of the fish oil; I believe my vet carries some. I just wanted to get some made and coconut oil was ready at hand. Thanks for your great tips and recipes!
Coconut oil is great for pets but I included the salmon oil specifically for it’s healing properties.
Did you use the same measurement of coconut oil as advised for the fish oil? 🙂
Do u have an alternative for. Salmon oil my Hound breaks out in a bad rash
Try another type of fish oil that does not contain salmon.
Do u think flax seed would be ok she takes it daily already I also add fresh chopped parsley or mint leaves to it make s there breath better much thanks for this recipe and the flea repellent one all 5 of my dogs love it
Keep in mind with flax that you would need to grind it (whole seeds most often pass straight through) and must be done fresh or else they will go rancid. So you’d need to make small, frequent batches.
I’m starting her on anchovy oil to day will see if she dos well with this an use it in her treats so far thay love them
We just got 2 6 week old puppies. Is this safe to give them?
I would give them just a small bite 🙂
Thank you for sharing these. I am so excited. I have both cats and dogs. One Maine Coon that is flea allergic. I also have a small dog with seasonal skin issues. Do I need to find either fish or salmon oil liquid? Not both, correct?
All the ingredients you need are clearly listed in the recipe – along with clickable links to the exact products I use.
Hi,I have been looking for the recipe for the flea spray you used on the pup but can’t seem to find it. Love all the information you give us dog lover’s
We really don’t use it anymore – since our boys have zero fleas <3
1c Water
1/4c Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
15 drops RMO Bug Away Oil Blend
Can you use fresh pumpkin? Any preparation tips?
Just cook & purée fresh pumpkin or other winter squash
We hosted Thanksgiving dinner with our family – we have 9 dogs staying with us too for the holiday. I made these treats yesterday and all the dogs are crazy for them…Thank you for the wonderful recipe! We have 4 dogs here who are extremely particular but they were nuts for these. Again, thank you, we are very thankful for the recipe!!
my dog is allergic to dairy, beef and potato. Would love to be able to give her a pumpkin treats. Ideas on how to do this please.
Thanks.
then just give her pumpkin – our dogs love it by it’s self too
My Stella loves these treats! I’m making a second batch today, first batch I used olive oil. I am hoping she likes these one’s with the salmon oil. Thank you!
Love the idea! I wanted to know if you can’t make the kefir, what type and brand yogurt should I buy? Also, where do I purchase fish oil for dogs? And lastly, can the brewers yeast be the kind from health food store brand is called NOW Super Food powder?? Please help! A dog I adopted a few months ago is itching like mad! No fleas, but I believe a grass pollen allergy.
Thanks so much!
I can’t give you a brand recommendation but you want Organic Whole Milk Yogurt (plain) preferably from grass fed cows. There are links to purchase the ingredients throughout my post. As for the Now Super Food Powder, I have no idea what is in it, any brand brewers yeast is suitable however the brand I link to is the highest quality.
Can both the flea prevention and the itchy dog treat be given on the same day? Maybe one in the morning and one in the evening?
Yep!
What a great and unique idea to cater to our furry friends this Fall! I love it!!
What would be best yogurt to use if had to by at store?
Whole Milk, Organic from grass fed cows. No sugar or fruit obviously.
Is there a good alternative to pumpkin that I could substitute for this recipe?
Pumpkin is a key ingredient in these treats. Is there a reason you don’t want to use pumpkin?
Great recipe!
I’m so glad that I saw your article on Pin it about flea’s and how to control them naturally.. I read it to my wife and we have a few of the ingredients. I need to get the rest soon. We have been feeding here dog food from Trader Joesand dog treats from there also.. Some weeks we give her a Carrot .. She really loves them.
I’ll let you know as soon as we make them what are the results.
What a great article & recipe. I have itchy dogs and 1 did not used to ever get itchy. Will try your treats! So happy to have found this blog/website. Peace!
Wheres the dog treat for fleas recipe?
You can always search for recipe on my site 🙂 Flea Prevention treats
I just made these treats and althought the fishy oil smell was a bit potent my dog wanted them from th second he could smell the fish and pumpkin ingredients. Nose in the kitchen the whole time I was working. He really seems to enjoy them and although we aren’t totally out out of the woods with a flea situation right now we’ve begun incorporating these for his health and he LOVES them!
Where do I get the kefir and the fish oil? I’ve never seen them, then how often do I give these to my dogs. Can they be given daily?
Just click the links in the recipe, it will tell you how/where to get them.