Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Treats

The cookie tray is going to the dogs.

When making up Christmas cookies tray for friends and neighbors, I thought that I would add a little something for the woofs. Does anyone else give their pets Christmas gifts? We don't give Hayden anything big, just a bone and perhaps a toy. He always loves some treats though.

Hayden thinks that he should have a bite of our cookies so why not make something that is healthy and safe for him to eat. Due to the nutmeg in the cookies, I modified the spices to make it safe for dogs to eat. These would also make great fall treat but Hayden loves pumpkin anytime. Lip-licking good.

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Treats 

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup water

2 Tablespoons canola oil

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cardamom

1/2 cup oatmeal

1 1/2-2 cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Combine pumpkin, oil, water, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir well and gradually add oatmeal and flour in 1/2 cups until a stiff dough forms. (I used 1 1/2 cups in the dough and then about 1/2 additional when rolling out). Roll dough to 1/4″ thick and cut with cookie cutters. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 40 minutes. If using smaller cutters like pie crust cutters (like the little man) bake for about 25 minutes. Treats are done with they are a bit crisp and have darkened slightly in color.

Note: Do not make a double batch of dough. As treats bake the dough will become very stiff and hard to knead/roll.
This recipe makes enough treats to fill 2 LARGE cookie sheets full.

Adapted from It's the Dogs' Life