Chicken Pumpkin Meatballs For Dogs
These homemade chicken meatballs for dogs are an easy way to turn a handful of simple ingredients into a tasty treat your dog will be very interested in. Made with lean ground chicken, pumpkin, egg and oat flour, they’re soft, meaty and easy to portion for dogs of different sizes.
A little chopped parsley can be added for color and freshness, although it’s completely optional. The pumpkin helps keep the meatballs moist, while the oat flour holds everything together without needing breadcrumbs.
Serve these chicken and pumpkin meatballs as an occasional treat, use smaller pieces as training rewards, as tasty snack or add one to your dog’s regular meal as a special topper.
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Why Your Dog Will Love These Chicken Meatballs
There’s plenty to like about this recipe from a dog’s point of view. Chicken is the main ingredient, so the meatballs have a savory flavor and aroma, while pumpkin keeps the inside pleasantly soft rather than dry.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Meatballs?
Dogs can eat meatballs when they’re specifically prepared with dog-friendly ingredients.
Traditional meatballs made for people aren’t always suitable. They commonly contain ingredients such as onion, garlic, large amounts of salt, sauces and seasonings that dogs don’t need and, in the case of onion and garlic, can be harmful.
Are Chicken and Pumpkin Good Together for Dogs?
Chicken and pumpkin are a popular combination in homemade dog recipes because their flavors work well together and both are easy to incorporate into treats.
Plain pumpkin is a source of soluble and insoluble fiber, while chicken provides animal protein. However, that doesn’t make these meatballs a nutritionally complete dog food.
They’re best served as a treat, snack or meal topper alongside your dog’s normal balanced diet.
If your dog has a medical condition, food allergy or requires a therapeutic diet, check with your veterinarian before introducing new homemade treats.
Ingredients
Grab your ingredients and get ready to bake!
Ground Chicken – Lean ground chicken provides the protein and forms the base of these dog-friendly meatballs. Using lean chicken also prevents the finished meatballs from becoming overly greasy.
Pumpkin Puree – Pumpkin adds moisture and a mild sweetness that works particularly well with chicken. It also provides fiber and nutrients including beta-carotene. Use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling can contain sugar, spices and other ingredients that aren’t appropriate for dogs.
Egg – The egg helps bind the chicken, pumpkin and oat flour together so the meatballs hold their shape during baking.
Oat Flour – Oat flour absorbs some of the moisture from the pumpkin and makes the mixture easier to shape. It also gives the meatballs a softer texture than you might get from using a large amount of regular flour. Making your own oat flour is as simple as grinding rolled oats in a food processor or blender.
Parsley – Fresh curly parsley is optional but adds a little color and flavor. Make sure you use curly parsley (Petroselinum crispum) rather than spring parsley, which is a different plant and should not be fed to dogs.
How To Make Chicken Pumpkin Meatballs For Dogs
We bake these pumpkin meatballs but they can also be cooked in the air fryer.
Add all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well.
Scoop and form into a meatball shape.
Place the chicken meatballs on a parchment paper lined tray.
Bake until firm and golden.
Recipe Tips
- Keep your hands slightly damp. The raw chicken and pumpkin mixture can be sticky. Dampening your hands with a little water makes rolling much easier.
- Give the oat flour a few minutes to work. If the mixture initially seems very soft, don’t immediately add more flour. Let it stand for 5 minutes first.
- Still too wet? Add oat flour about a tablespoon at a time until the mixture is easy enough to shape. Different pumpkin purees contain different amounts of moisture.
- Don’t make them too large. Smaller doggy meatballs cook more evenly and make portion control easier.
- Check the temperature. Because these contain raw ground chicken, cook them thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Cool before serving. The middle of a meatball can stay hot longer than the outside, so let them cool completely before your dog’s taste test.
Can I Make Smaller Chicken Meatballs for Training?
Absolutely. Instead of making 1-inch meatballs, roll the mixture into small bite-sized balls.
Because smaller meatballs will cook more quickly, start checking them after around 12–15 minutes. They still need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
You can also make the standard-size meatballs and cut them into several small pieces after cooking.
Can I Use Turkey Instead of Chicken?
Yes. Lean ground turkey is an easy substitute for ground chicken and works well with pumpkin. Cooking time should be similar, although you should always check the internal temperature rather than relying solely on cooking time.
Can I Make My Own Oat Flour?
Yes. Simply blend plain rolled oats in a food processor or high-powered blender until they have a fine, flour-like consistency.
Avoid flavored or sweetened instant oatmeal.
Variations
Once you’ve made the basic chicken meatballs for dogs, there are several simple ways to change them.
- Chicken and carrot: Add a small amount of finely grated carrot.
- Chicken and zucchini: Add finely grated zucchini, squeezing out excess liquid first so the meatball mixture doesn’t become too wet.
- Chicken and sweet potato: Replace some or all of the pumpkin with plain cooked and mashed sweet potato.
- Mini training meatballs: Make very small balls for training rewards rather than larger treats.
When adding extra vegetables, keep the quantities modest so the mixture still holds together properly.
How to Store Chicken Meatballs for Dogs
Once completely cooled, place the meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3–4 days.
For longer storage, freeze them. Arrange the cooled meatballs on a tray and freeze until firm before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. This prevents them from freezing together in one big clump.
They can be kept frozen for around 2–3 months. Defrost the amount you need overnight in the refrigerator. Don’t leave cooked chicken meatballs sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
More Homemade Chicken Dog Treat Recipes
If your dog loves chicken, try these other homemade dog treats:
FAQs
Yes. Dogs can eat thoroughly cooked, unseasoned ground chicken. Choose plain chicken without added onion, garlic, sauces or seasoning.
Yes. Plain canned pumpkin puree is ideal for this recipe. Check the ingredients and make sure you’re buying 100% pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling.
Yes. The parsley is completely optional and can simply be left out.
No. Although they contain several wholesome ingredients, these chicken pumpkin meatballs aren’t formulated as a complete and balanced diet. Serve them as treats, toppers or occasional additions to your dog’s normal food.
Chicken Pumpkin Meatballs for Dogs
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree plain
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1 tablespoon chopped curly parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place the ground chicken, pumpkin puree, egg, oat flour and parsley into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix until everything is evenly combined. Avoid excessively working the mixture, as this can make the cooked meatballs firmer.
- Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes. This gives the oat flour time to absorb some of the moisture.
- Scoop small portions of the mixture and gently roll them into balls. For medium-sized dog treats, aim for approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) meatballs.
- Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked completely through. Ground chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven and allow the meatballs to cool completely before giving one to your dog.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.