‘Tis the season of holiday happiness!!! The season of roasting marshmallows by the fireplace, the season of enjoying hot cocoa in bed, the season of gingerbread houses and candy canes and peppermint patties and cream cheese frosting! But why leave the dog alone while you enjoy all of your Christmas shenanigans? Well, lemme help you with a few ideas for easy, homemade dog treats so that you can enjoy a guilt-free Christmas!
1. EASY, 1-5 INGREDIENTS HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS DOG TREATS
A] CRANBERRY HOLIDAY COOKIES
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tb sp frozen/ dried Cranberry finely chopped
- ¼ cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
- 1 cup rice flour
- 2 tb sp peanut butter or honey
- 5 tb spn coconut oil
RECIPE
Step 1 – Add the flour, applesauce, peanut butter/ honey and coconut oil to a mixing bowl. Whisk it all together until you get a smooth consistency.
Step 2 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 3 – Knead dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to about half an inch thick. Cut treats with a cookie cutter and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4 – Firmly press a few pieces of chopped cranberries into each cookie.
Step 5 – Bake for about 15 minutes, or until treats are firm when touched.
Turn off the oven and allow cookies to cool for about 20-30 minutes.
Your Cranberry Christmas dog treats are ready to be served to your pooch!
Storage: Can be stored for several days covered in an airtight container in a cool, dry, shaded location. Cookies may also be frozen
B] BAC’N CALL BISCUITS
INGREDIENTS
- 2 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 cup pumpkin puree or sweet potato puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 deg F
Step 2: Cook bacon until brown and crisp. Don’t throw away Bacon fat
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, add puree, eggs, oats and bacon fat and whisk. Gradually add flour and keep whisking to get a unified consistency. Make sure the dough is not sticky
Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough and roll it with a rolling pin to the desired thickness
Step 5: Cut out desired shapes with knife or cookie cutter moulds
Step 6 : Cut bacon into tiny pieces and press it into the cookies
Step 7: Place into oven and bake until the cookies turn golden brown. It should take approximately 25-30 minutes
Set it to cool down and reward your pup with one of the most indulging and tasty treats ever!
C] APPLE CINNAMON TID BITS
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup no-sodium chicken stock
- 1/4 tea spn cinnamon
- 5 cups of wheat/ brown rice flour
- 1 egg
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degree F
Step 2: Add egg, applesauce and chicken broth and whisk in a mixing bowl.
Step 3: Gradually add flour, mixing into a cohesive dough.
If you feel like you don’t have the dough stability you require, add a little bit of broth, a coconut oil or additional flour to adjust consistency if/as needed.
Step 4: Rest dough for about 15-20 minutes
Step 5: Knead the dough with a rolling pin to desired thickness.
Step 6: Cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter mould and place over a parchment paper on a baking pan.
Step 7: Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes. Cooking time will vary with shape/size, so keep an eye on the oven.
Cool before serving
These easy, homemade dog treats scream out the spirit of Christmas!
Storage: Can be stored for several days in an airtight container. Freshness will be preserved for long if stored in refrigerator.
D] BANA-BERRY COOKIES
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup mashed bananas
- ½ cup mashed blueberries
- ½ natural peanut butter
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir/whisk, adding warm water as and when needed.
Step 3: Sprinkle some dry flour on a surface and roll out the dough.
Step 4: Cut into the cutest little cookies.
Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes or until browned.
E] RUDOLPH’S CARROT COOKIES
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup brown rice flour
- 1 cup grated carrot
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir/whisk to get a unified consistency
Step 3: Sprinkle some dry flour on a surface and roll out the dough.
Step 4: Cut into little cookies of desired shape
Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes or until browned.
These homemade dog treats are so easy, quick and yummy, they’re the perfect festive addition to your pampered pooch’s Christmas checklist!
F] “CHOCOLATE” GUMMY BEARS
Hold your horses! Chocolate is still toxic and poisonous for your dog so sharing actual chocolate with your doggy is a strict no-no! In fact, chocolate is one of the most common causes of dog accidents at home around the holidays. The theobromine found in cocoa can be fatally harmful if consumed in excess quantities by your dog. Not to mention, some chocolates also contain caffeine.
Introducing – Carob, an awesome-sauce alternative to chocolate for dogs. Carob is naturally sweet and has a chocolaty flavour to it. Pure carob powder is very nutritious for your dog’s gut health with all the fibre and anti-oxidants while being gluten, lactose and caffeine free.
One of my favorite homemade Christmas dog treats recipes is and will always be Carob gummies. It’s easy to make and I’ve rarely seen a dog that doesn’t go crazy after it!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup unseasoned, low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tbsp powdered gelatin
- 1 tbsp carob powder
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Gently stir the mixture of 1 cup broth and powdered gelatin over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
Step 2: Remove from heat.
Step 3: Mix a small spoonful of the prepared liquefied gelatin with the Carob powder to dissolve with minimal lumps and clumps. Once mixed, add in the rest of your gelatin and stir to thoroughly combine.
Step 4: Pour into a wide pan to cut and slice or pour directly into silicone moulds to get the desired shape. You can also use ice cube trays as moulds
Step 5: Chill and serve
My Favorite Baking and Treat making tools –
1. FOOD MIXER FOR BAKING
2. DOG TREAT MOLDS AND COOKIE CUTTERS
2. FROZEN DOG TREATS
What better than enjoying a popsicle on Christmas Eve while your pup enjoys his popsicle right by your side! These frozen, easy, homemade dog treats are a perfect little addition to your freezer treasure.
A few of the below-mentioned recipes contain yogurt. If your dog is not very big on processing dairy, consider switching it up with an alternative like egg yolk or broth. It might sound or look gross to you, but trust me, your dog will love you for these delicious bites!
A] WATERMELON FRO-YO PUPSICLE
INGREDIENTS
- Seedless Watermelon
- Unsweetened Yogurt
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Blend the watermelon to get a puree like consistency
Step 2: In an ice cube tray or silicone mould, add a little yogurt in each one
Step 3: Add the watermelon puree
Step 4: Freeze for a few hours
Note – Do not use sweetened yogurt as it contains sugar and xylitol that is Toxic for dogs.
B] APPLE YOGURT PUPSICLE
INGREDIENTS
- Apple
- Unsweetened yogurt
- Water
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Add yogurt, water and apple slices in a blender
Step 2 : Blend until you get a smoothie like consistency
Step 3: Pour the mix into silicone moulds or ice cube trays
Step 4 : Add tiny bits of apple slices into them
Step 5 : Freeze for a few hours
C] BERRY BLAST PUPSICLE
INGREDIENTS
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- 1 cup Unsweetened yogurt
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Blend Blueberries, strawberries and yogurt in a blender to get a smoothie-like consistency
Step 2: Pour the mix into silicon moulds and freeze for a few hours
D] FROZEN PB&J TREATS – PEANUT BUTTER, STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY
A treat that gives you a feeling of making PB&J for your dog. While the Jelly can be a harmful addition to your dog’s diet, let’s cook up our own version of J! Mashed up strawberries and raspberries
INGREDIENTS
- Unsweetened peanut butter
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- ½ cup Water
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Add the ingredients in a blender
Step 2: Blend until you get a smoothie-like consistency
Step 3: Freeze for a few hours
And voila! Your doggo’s version of PB&J is ready!
E] APPLE, BANANA TATER TOTS
INGREDIENTS
- Apple
- Banana
- Unsweetened Yogurt
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Peel the apple and remove seeds
Step 2: Mash apples and banana and blend along with yogurt until smooth
Step 3: Pour the mix into silicon moulds or ice cube tray and freeze
3. NO-BAKE, EASY CHRISTMAS DOG TREATS
A] BOAT BALLS
INGREDIENTS
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Rolled oats
- Peanut Butter
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Mash all the ingredients together to get a thick dough-like consistency. If the consistency is too thin, add some wheat or rice flour to add a little stability.
Step 2: Make into tiny balls and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
Step 3: Serve to your dog for being a “good boy”
B] BERRY POPS
INGREDIENTS
- 6 blueberries
- 5 cups oat flour
- 5 tea spoons coconut oil
- 1 tb spn peanut butter
- ½ cup shredded coconut
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Put all the ingredients except shredded coconut in a food processor/ blender and mix until well combined
Step 2: Scoop out bite sized pieces and roll into little balls
Step 3: Dip the balls in shredded coconut until well coated
Step 4: Line on baking sheet and place in the refrigerator
Step 5: Serve
It’s best to make these in small batches to retain the freshness of the ingredients. Store in refrigerator
C] CINNAMONUTTY NO-BAKE COOKIES
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ tea spn Cinnamon
- 1 tb spn Carob powder
- 2 tb spn peanut butter
- 2 cups rolled oats
- Water as required
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Blend all ingredients in food processor/ blender to get a thick consistency
Step 2 : Spread it out on a lightly flour-sprinkled surface
Step 3: With a cookie cutter mould, cut into desirable shape and size
Step 4: Refrigerate for a few hours
Step 5: Let your dog enjoy it while you enjoy your hot cocoa in bed!!
4. CHRISTMAS THEMED DOG TRAINING TREATS
A] TURKEY SWEET POTATO TREATS
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups of Shredded or diced cooked turkey
- ½ cup Mashed , cooked sweet potato
- 1 large beaten egg
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F
Step 2: In a bowl, add the sweet potato puree, egg and 3/4th cup water and stir until you get a unified consistency
Step 3: Add turkey and flour to the mix and stir again. The batter will be thick and sticky
Step 4: Lay the dough on flour sprinkled surface and roll it flat with a rolling pin
Step 5: Lay the spread-out dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet
Step 6: Use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut rectangular, square or any other desired shape
Step 7: Bake for about half n hour and until the treats are golden brown
Step 8: Cool down and serve
B] GINGERBREAD DOG TREATS
INGREDIENTS
- 2 large eggs
- 1 table spoon molasses or honey
- 2 table spoons coconut or olive oil
- ¼ tea spoon cinnamon
- 15 cups coconut/oat/wheat flour
- ¼ tea spn ginger
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Whisk oil, eggs and molasses or honey in a mixing bowl until combined
- Add the spices
- Gradually add the flour and keep beating to get a consistent texture
- Form a dough
- Flour a plain surface and roll the dough out to desirable thickness
- Cut into little gingerbread man shapes and place it on the baking sheet on a parchment paper
- Bake for 20 minutes
- Remove, flip and put back in
- Bake for another 15 minutes or till you get a golden brown color
- Remove from oven and allow it to cool
Voila! A gingerbread snack for your dog while you work that gingerbread house for your family! Nothing shouts Holidays louder than these easy, homemade Christmas themed dog treats!
5. EASY, CHRISTMAS THEMED DOG TREATS FOR FRESH BREATH
A] Chicken stock, peanut butter, parsley treats
These “dog candies” are a favorite among my dog students and I love making them as they’re easy and quick! This treat not only combines 3 delicious ingredients that your dog will love, but also helps keep his mouth fresh as a breeze! Read below for full recipe.
https://damndelicious.net/2016/03/01/3-ingredient-frozen-dog-treats/
B] SWEET APPLE MINT TREATS
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup sweet potato or pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1 grated apple
- 3 cups flour (wheat, coconut or oat)
- ½ cup chopped mint leaves
- ½ cup chopped parsley leaves
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 deg F
Step 2: Blend the puree with the beaten eggs until well combined and creamy
Step 3: Gradually add the flour while mixing with a spatula until combined
Step 4: Add the grated apple, mint and parsley then mix until well incorporated. Add more flour if and when needed
Step 5: Work into a dough
Step 6: On a floured surface, knead the dough
Step 7: With a rolling pin, roll the dough to the desired thickness. Using treat cutters, cut out desired shapes and place on parchment paper on a baking pan.
Step 8: Bake until golden brown and crisp, about 25-30 minutes.
Store in a cool and dry place in an airtight container to retain freshness.