Homemade Dog-Friendly Pizza makes one 10-inch pizza with about 16 small squares for your dog. You make the crust with a quick dough, then add pumpkin sauce, chicken, carrot, and a little mozzarella.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup plain unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup cooked, unseasoned chicken, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely diced carrot
- 1/3 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella
Yield: one 10-inch pizza, about 16 small squares. Prep: 20 minutes. Bake: 18 to 20 minutes at 375°F.
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven and Line a Pan
Set your oven to 375°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and leave enough clear space for a 10-inch crust. Place the pan near your work surface while the oven heats. The parchment should lie flat, with no folds rising through the area where you will spread the dough.
2. Mix the Dough
Put 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour in a mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup water, 1 large egg, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir until the flour is fully moistened and the mixture gathers into a soft dough. You should see no dry flour at the bottom of the bowl.
3. Knead and Roll the Crust
Turn the dough onto a clean work surface and knead it until it holds together in a smooth ball. Roll it into a 10-inch circle, then transfer it to the lined pan. Press any uneven edges into shape. The crust should look fairly even across the center, with no thick mound of dough.
4. Pre-Bake the Crust
Place the pan in the 375°F oven and bake the plain crust for 8 minutes. Take it out when the surface looks set and dry enough to hold the sauce. Keep the crust on the lined pan as you add the remaining ingredients; its edges should still be pale at this stage.
5. Spread the Pumpkin Sauce
Spoon 1/3 cup plain unsweetened pumpkin puree onto the pre-baked crust. Spread it across the surface with the back of the spoon, leaving a narrow rim around the edge. The pumpkin should form an even orange layer, with the crust still visible at the outer edge.
6. Add the Toppings
Scatter 1/2 cup finely chopped, cooked, unseasoned chicken and 2 tablespoons finely diced carrot over the pumpkin. Sprinkle 1/3 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella across the top. Spread the toppings to the edges of the pumpkin layer so each part of the pizza has some chicken, carrot, and cheese.
7. Bake Until the Cheese Melts
Return the topped pizza to the 375°F oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Take it out when the mozzarella has melted and the crust edges look lightly golden. Together with the pre-bake, this gives the pizza 18 to 20 minutes of baking time.
8. Cool and Cut Into Squares
Move the pizza off the hot pan and let it cool until the crust and toppings feel cool throughout. Cut the 10-inch pizza into about 16 small squares, making each piece easy for your dog to eat. The cheese should hold the toppings in place as you lift a square.
Mini Pizzas, Shapes and Toppings
You can give the dough a different shape while keeping the pumpkin sauce and toppings spread evenly. Small pieces are easier to portion once the baked pizza has cooled.
Make Mini Pizzas
For individual pizzas, divide the dough and flatten each piece on the lined pan. Keep the crusts an even thickness so they bake at a similar pace. Spread the pumpkin over each crust, then share the chicken, carrot, and mozzarella across them.
You can also make the recipe as written and cut the cooled pizza into small squares or other shapes. This keeps the same crust thickness and baking time while giving you pieces that suit your dog.
Safe Topping Swaps
Finely chopped, cooked turkey works in place of the chicken. Soft, cooked carrot also spreads easily over the pumpkin sauce if your diced carrot is too firm for small pieces.
Keep any swap plain and finely cut so it sits evenly on the crust. If your dog enjoys pumpkin in treats, the same plain puree is used in baked pumpkin peanut butter dog treats.
Tips for the Best Results
An even crust gives you the most consistent bake. Press down any thick spots before the pre-bake, and spread the pumpkin in a thin layer so the middle stays firm enough to cut.
Finely chopped chicken stays on each square better than large pieces. Let the pizza cool completely before cutting; warm cheese can pull the toppings away from the crust.
Substitutions and Safety
Use plain, unsweetened pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Keep the chicken unseasoned, and check that any cooked meat contains no onion or garlic. Use low-fat mozzarella sparingly if your dog tolerates dairy.
Serve the squares as treats alongside your dog’s regular food, with portion size suited to your dog. If your dog has known food allergies or needs a special diet, check the ingredients with your veterinarian before serving. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container.
