Pumpkin Cheese Bones for Dogs: Easy Homemade Treat Recipe

If your dog gets excited by the smell of cheese, these Pumpkin Cheese Bones for Dogs are an easy homemade treat worth trying. They combine plain pumpkin puree, a modest amount of cheese, oats, egg, and whole-wheat flour to create crunchy baked biscuits you can shape with a bone-shaped cookie cutter.

Making dog treats at home also gives you control over what goes into them. There is no need for added salt, sugar, garlic, onion, or artificial sweeteners. Because cheese adds extra calories and fat, these biscuits are best served as occasional treats, not as a replacement for your dog’s regular complete and balanced food.

Homemade Pumpkin Cheese Bones for Dogs Recipe

Ingredients

You’ll need:

• 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup finely shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup plain rolled oats
• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 2–4 tablespoons water, as needed

Choose 100% plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

Use a relatively mild, lower-sodium cheese when possible. You don’t need much—the cheese is primarily there for flavor.

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine the Wet Ingredients

Place the pumpkin puree and egg in a large mixing bowl. Stir until smooth.

Add the shredded cheese and mix again.

3. Add the Oats and Flour

Stir in the rolled oats.

Gradually add the whole-wheat flour until a firm dough begins to form.

If the mixture is too dry or crumbly, add water one tablespoon at a time. If it’s very sticky, sprinkle in a little additional flour.

4. Roll the Dough

Lightly flour a clean work surface.

Roll the dough to approximately 1/4 inch thick. Keeping the thickness relatively even helps the biscuits bake consistently.

5. Cut Into Bone Shapes

Use a small bone-shaped cookie cutter to cut the dough.

Don’t have one? That’s fine. You can use any small cookie cutter or simply cut the dough into small squares.

Choose smaller shapes for small dogs so portion control is easier.

6. Bake

Arrange the treats on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until the biscuits feel firm and the edges are lightly browned.

For a slightly crunchier texture, turn off the oven and allow the biscuits to sit inside for another 10–15 minutes with the door slightly open.

7. Cool Completely

Transfer the treats to a cooling rack.

Make sure they are completely cool before giving one to your dog or placing them in a storage container.

Why Use Pumpkin in Dog Treats?

Pumpkin works particularly well in homemade dog biscuits because it adds moisture and helps create a workable dough.

Plain pumpkin also contains fiber and nutrients such as beta-carotene.

However, pumpkin doesn’t need to be treated as a cure-all digestive supplement. Too much of any new food can potentially cause digestive upset.

Most importantly, don’t confuse pumpkin puree with pumpkin pie filling.

Pumpkin pie filling may contain added sugar and spices. Plain canned pumpkin should list pumpkin as the primary ingredient without dessert-style additions.

If your dog enjoys pumpkin, you can also try our [Pumpkin Soup for Dogs].

Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

Many dogs can eat small amounts of plain cheese, but cheese isn’t suitable for every dog.

Cheese can contain significant amounts of:

• Fat
• Calories
• Sodium
• Lactose

Some dogs tolerate dairy without difficulty, while others develop gas, loose stool, or stomach discomfort.

Dogs with pancreatitis, obesity, certain heart or kidney conditions, or diets requiring fat or sodium restriction may need to avoid cheese or have much tighter limits.

That’s why this recipe uses cheese for flavor rather than making it the main ingredient.

What Kind of Cheese Is Best?

A plain, relatively mild cheese is the simplest choice.

For this recipe, reduced-fat cheddar works well because a small amount provides plenty of flavor.

Avoid cheeses containing:

• Garlic
• Onion
• Chives
• Hot peppers
• Heavy seasoning
• Mold intended as part of the cheese
• Large amounts of added salt

Also avoid processed cheese sauces and dips. Their ingredient lists can be much more complicated than plain cheese.

Why Add Oats?

Rolled oats help give these pumpkin cheese dog treats structure and texture.

Choose plain oats without added sugar, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, flavor packets, or other mix-ins.

There’s no need to use flavored breakfast oatmeal.

Oats are not what makes these treats nutritionally complete—they’re simply a practical baking ingredient.

Can I Make Pumpkin Cheese Bones Without Wheat?

If your dog has a diagnosed wheat sensitivity or allergy, don’t simply swap ingredients at random.

Oat flour or another dog-appropriate flour may work in some recipes, but different flours absorb moisture differently. You’ll likely need to adjust the amount of liquid.

For dogs without a wheat-related problem, there’s generally no need to avoid wheat simply because a treat is homemade.

How Many Pumpkin Cheese Bones Can My Dog Have?

The answer depends on your dog’s size, activity level, health, regular diet, and the size of each biscuit.

A reasonable starting point is:

These are general starting portions, not precise daily feeding recommendations.

Treat calories add up quickly, especially when cheese is involved. Treats and other extras should generally account for no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

For help understanding overall portions, read [How Much Food Should I Feed My Dog?].

Are These Treats Good for Training?

They can be, but traditional bone-shaped biscuits may be larger than necessary for repeated rewards.

For training, cut the dough into tiny squares before baking. You can then reward your dog frequently without giving a full biscuit every time.

If your dog needs to lose weight, remember that training rewards count as calories too. See [How to Help My Dog Lose Weight] for additional treat and portion-control strategies.

How to Make Softer Pumpkin Cheese Treats

Some senior dogs or dogs with dental problems may find hard biscuits difficult to chew.

For a softer texture:

• Roll the dough slightly thicker.
• Bake for a shorter period.
• Don’t leave the treats in the cooling oven to dry further.

Because softer treats retain more moisture, they generally spoil faster. Refrigerate them and make smaller batches.

If your senior dog has suddenly started avoiding crunchy food, however, don’t automatically assume it’s just age. Dental pain or another medical issue could be responsible.

How to Store Pumpkin Cheese Dog Treats

Cheese, pumpkin, and egg introduce moisture, so homemade biscuits don’t necessarily have the shelf life of commercial treats.

Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container.

For softer biscuits, refrigeration is the safest practical option. Use them within several days.

For longer storage, freeze the treats in a freezer-safe container and thaw small amounts in the refrigerator as needed.

If a treat develops mold, an unusual smell, or unexpected moisture, discard it.

Can Puppies Eat Pumpkin Cheese Bones?

Healthy puppies eating solid food may be able to enjoy a tiny piece occasionally if they tolerate dairy and the other ingredients.

But puppies have specific nutritional needs for growth.

Their complete and balanced puppy food should provide nearly all of their nutrition, so don’t allow homemade treats to replace significant portions of regular meals.

Our guide [How Often Should Puppies Eat?] has more information about puppy feeding schedules.

Ingredients You Should Never Add

Don’t turn these biscuits into human-style cheese crackers.

Avoid adding:

• Garlic or garlic powder
• Onion or onion powder
• Xylitol/birch sugar
• Nutmeg
• Chocolate
• Excess salt
• Hot peppers
• Sugary frosting
• Artificially sweetened ingredients

Dogs don’t need complicated seasonings for these treats. Pumpkin and a small amount of cheese already provide plenty of flavor.

Are Pumpkin Cheese Bones a Complete Dog Food?

No.

Even though pumpkin, cheese, egg, oats, and flour provide nutrients, these biscuits aren’t formulated to meet all of a dog’s nutritional requirements.

They should be treated as snacks or rewards.

If you want to feed your dog a primarily homemade diet, work with your veterinarian or a qualified veterinary nutrition professional to develop a nutritionally complete recipe.

FAQs

Can dogs eat pumpkin and cheese together?

Many healthy dogs can tolerate small amounts of plain pumpkin and cheese together. Dogs that don’t tolerate dairy or require restricted-fat diets may need a different treat.

Can I use mozzarella instead of cheddar?

Plain mozzarella may work, particularly a lower-fat variety. Avoid heavily salted or seasoned cheeses.

Can I use fresh pumpkin?

Yes. Cook the pumpkin until soft and puree it without salt, butter, sugar, or spices. The moisture level may differ from canned puree, so adjust the flour if necessary.

Can dogs eat pumpkin treats every day?

They don’t need pumpkin treats daily. If you serve them regularly, keep the portions small and account for their calories within your dog’s overall diet.

Can I freeze Pumpkin Cheese Bones?

Yes. Freezing is a convenient way to store a larger batch. Keep them in a sealed freezer-safe container and thaw individual portions in the refrigerator.

Why are my dog biscuits soft after baking?

Pumpkin contains substantial moisture. For crunchier treats, roll the dough thinner and allow the biscuits to dry longer in the cooling oven.

Final Thoughts

These Pumpkin Cheese Bones for Dogs are a simple way to make a special homemade treat using pumpkin, a modest amount of cheese, oats, egg, and flour.

Keep the recipe plain, choose appropriately sized biscuits, and avoid potentially harmful additions such as garlic, onion, xylitol, and nutmeg. If your dog doesn’t tolerate dairy or requires a low-fat or low-sodium diet, choose another treat instead.

Serve pumpkin cheese bones in moderation alongside your dog’s complete and balanced everyday diet, and you’ll have an easy homemade reward ready whenever it’s treat time.