Holiday Treats to Share With Your Pup

Baking loads of sweets and treats is a long held holiday tradition. When the weather gets cold, I just can't help but want some warm baked goods. While you're getting into the holiday spirit, why not try cooking up some home-made treats for you furry friend too!

Dangerous Ingredients for Pets

To start off, there are a few ingredients that you should NEVER use when making treats for your dog. Here are a few common ones. 

• Chocolate - this is an obvious one, but never use real chocolate for dog treats.

• Sugar substitutes - Xylitol is a zero-sugar sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs, and appears in many other ingredients that you may be using, like peanut butter. Double check that there are no artificial sweeteners when you buy ingredients for dog treats. 

• Nutmeg - this holiday spice is toxic to dogs, and appears in pre-made pumpkin pie spice mixes. If you’re not sure what spices make up a mix, don’t use it! 

• Grapes or raisins - these fruits might appear in your holiday recipes, but they can be deadly for dogs.

Now, on to some pet-friendly holiday recipes to try out!

Sweet Potato Holiday Cookies

These festive treats can be cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters just like sugar cookies! Perfect for spoiling your pup this holiday season.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sweet potato puree

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup oats

• 3 cups whole wheat flour

• 3 Tbsp natural peanut butter

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

  
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a bowl, combine sweet potato puree, egg, and peanut butter. Mix well.

3. Stir in oats, whole wheat flour, and cinnamon until a dough forms.

4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes.

5. Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 30–35 minutes.

6. Let cookies cool completely to room temperature before serving to your pup.

Dog-Friendly Ginger Snaps

Share a classic Christmas cookie with your pup! These crunchy, warm-spiced snaps are made with simple, dog-safe ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour

• 1/2 cup coconut flour

• 1/2–3/4 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)

• 3 Tbsp ground ginger

• 1 Tbsp cinnamon

• 1/4 cup water

  
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).

2. In a bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, ginger, and cinnamon.

3. Add the peanut butter (start with 1/2 cup and add more if needed) and the water. Mix until a firm dough forms.

4. Roll out the dough or shape into small balls and flatten with your fingers or a fork.

5. Bake for 25 minutes.

6. Turn the oven off, and leave the cookies inside for 45 minutes to get extra crisp, just like true gingersnaps!

Peanut Butter and Carob Cookies

If you cut these with festive cookie stamps, they look just like gingerbread cookies but dog-safe!

Ingredients:

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)

• 1/4 cup meat stock, room temperature (beef, chicken, or turkey)

• 1/4 cup carob powder

• 1 cup brown rice flour (plus extra for rolling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a bowl, whisk the egg, peanut butter, and meat stock until smooth.

3. Add the carob powder and brown rice flour. Stir until a dough forms.

4. Lightly flour your surface with extra brown rice flour and roll out the dough.

5. Cut into shapes, festive stamps look adorable!

6. Bake for 10–15 minutes.

   • Extra-thick cookies may need 2–4 more minutes.

7. Cool completely before giving to your pup.

Minty Fresh Breath Dog Biscuits

Did you know dogs love the taste of fresh mint? These make the perfect wintery treat to keep your pup happy and fresh!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour

• 4 Tbsp coconut flour

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil

• 3/4 cup water

• 4 Tbsp finely chopped fresh mint

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).

2. In a mixing bowl, combine almond flour and coconut flour.

3. Stir in melted coconut oil.

4. Slowly add water until a soft dough forms.

5. Fold in the fresh mint.

6. Roll out the dough and cut into small treat shapes.

7. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden.

8. Let cool completely before serving.

Petite Puppy Pumpkin Pie

Just like a real pumpkin pie, but perfectly sized for your pup! This treat has a crisp crust and a creamy pumpkin-peanut butter filling.

Crust Ingredients:

• 1¼ cups rice flour

• 2 eggs

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 Tbsp honey

Filling Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain pumpkin puree

• ½ cup natural peanut butter

  
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a bowl, mix together the crust ingredients until a dough forms.

3. Press a thin layer of the crust into the bottom of a muffin tin.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin puree and peanut butter for the filling.

5. Spoon the filling over the crust in each muffin cup.

6. Bake for 15–20 minutes.

7. Let cool completely before serving to your pup.