Here at Dr. Marty Pets our dogs mean the world to us, and we know you feel the same way too.

So, in honor of all our adorable furry best friends, we have declared October 30th to be…

National Treat Your Pet Day!

happy dog, healthy dog, furry friend, treat National Treat Your Pet Day takes place on the 30th of October every year, and it’s your chance to give your fur baby healthy treats to remind them just how much you love them.

Now, you may be thinking “every day at my house is Treat Your Pet Day.” And believe me, we understand.

That’s why this doggie holiday is so important —

It’s a chance for you to give your dog their favorite healthy treat, to let them try some yummy surprises… and also take stock of their doggie treats and daily food.

As dog parents, we know how hard it can be to make the right “treat choices” for your pup’s health. There are so many options, it can be very tricky to know which yummy treats are right for your pup.

So if you have some wheat flour dog cookies in your kitchen… that’s okay. We’ve all been there.

National Treat Your Pet Day is your friendly reminder to toss out any treats with wheat flour, rice flour, corn flour, sugar, or artificial ingredients. These “fillers” offer zero nutritional value to your furry best friend, and they can contribute to weight gain, stiff joints, and an upset tummy.

Now is the time to RESET and stock up on only 100% premium protein doggie treats for your furry friend.

In fact, why not surprise your pup with homemade treats?

Like these healthy, delicious “Pepita Pumpkin Pops.” These homemade pumpkin balls are super yummy treats with very simple ingredients: Just almond butter, pumpkin seeds, and organic, plain pumpkin puree.

This recipe can be prepared in minutes, doesn’t require baking, and these frozen treats will have your pup doing the happy wiggle wags all through the kitchen on National Treat Your Pet Day.

Recipe: Pepita Pumpkin Pops (for your Pup)

Ingredient List:

½ Cup pepitas (raw, shelled pumpkin seeds, no salt or sugar added)
½ Cup Canned Pumpkin Puree (Plain, 100% organic, NOT the pie filling. There should be zero added sugar, artificial ingredients, or “pumpkin spices” like nutmeg or cinnamon)
½ Cup almond butter (organic, no sugar or artificial sweetener)
TIP: If you can’t find plain canned pumpkin puree, plain, organic sweet potato puree will work, too.

You’ll Need:

A medium mixing bowl and spoon
A baking sheet
A freezer and a freezer-safe container

Prep Time: 15-20 Minutes

Ready in: 3-5 hours

Instructions:

Step 1: Add ½ can of pure pumpkin puree and a ½ cup of almond butter to a mixing bowl. Fold these together until they’re fully combined.

Step 2: Add your ½ cup of pepitas to the mixing bowl and stir until they’re fully mixed in.

Step 3: Use your hands to form ball shapes, about a 1/2 inch thick, out of the mixture. Place your pumpkin balls on the baking sheet. You’ll end up with a good sized batch of treats— about 4 dozen treats total. These will be your “Pepita Pops.”

NOTE: If you want to mold these pops into fun shapes, you can use a candy mold, or a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to make these both yummy AND adorable treats.

Step 4: Freeze for about 4 hours, or until your Pepita Pumpkin Pops are solid.

Step 5: Serve these to your dog! Use the guide below for serving sizes. You can save the rest of your Pepita Pumpkin Pops in your freezer-safe container for up to a month, or share them with some doggie friends.

Serving Suggestions: (Based on your dog’s weight)

50lbs and up: 3 Pepita Pops per day

30-50lbs: 2 Pepita Pops per day

15-30lb: 1 Pepita Pop per day

0-15lbs: ½ Pepita Pop per day

Health Note: Pepita Power

Shelled, raw, plain pumpkin seeds, or “pepitas,” are a fantastic source of water soluble fiber, which is gentler on your dog’s tummy than fiber from wheat flour or rice flour. They can also help support your dog’s healthy skin, silky coat, and healthy heart.

Have a Happy National Treat Your Pet Day!

From our family to yours, we hope you and your dog have a wonderful “TYP” (Treat Your Pet) Day. Be sure to make a batch of Dr. Marty’s Pepita Pops for your fur baby…

Or try these other fun recipes for homemade dog treats!

But remember, a “special treat” for your dog isn’t limited to JUST food.

On National Treat Your Pet day, you can treat your pup to a fun hike…

Give them an extra half hour of playtime at the park or in the backyard…

Invite their doggie friends over for a Pup Party…

Or simply invite your dog to cuddle up for snuggle time with you in the “best” spot on the sofa.

However you decide to celebrate National Treat Your Pet Day, I know your furry friend is going to have a fantastic time, as long as you’re there to spend it with them.