Homemade Dog Treats: a Great Way to Show your Dog Some Love
We’ve uncovered the four best homemade dog treats for the holidays, but the best thing about it is they are healthy too!
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is pile into the kitchen with family and friends and cook lots of scrumptious goodies. We love to try new recipes, but we also have our tried and true favorites that have been handed down through generations.
Those rich, decadent treats make wonderful gifts to share with the people who bring joy to our lives. But, let’s not forget our furry loved ones. They are the most fun to cook for because they enjoy the treats so much. The way their little faces light up is as gift all by itself. It’s just a great way to express your love for them.
But even though we love to cook for our pets, we have to be careful about the ingredients we choose. Some of the rich foods of the holidays can be hard on their digestive system.
Here are the 4 best homemade dog treats that your pup can enjoy during the holidays or any time of year. They are very festive for the season and will surely be a hit. And you’ll feel confident knowing they are nutritious too!
Homemade Dog Treats
Ingredients:
2 jars organic baby food (4 oz each) be creative here – pureed turkey, pumpkin, sweet potato, cranberry or green beans. Just make sure there isn’t any onion or onion powder in the ingredients
2 cups rolled oats (can use coconut flour if you want to go grain free)
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the ingredients to form a dough.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out to ¼-inch thick and cut into desired shapes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the biscuits sit in there on the tray until oven is completely cool (this dehydrates the biscuits)
Makes varying amounts according to size cut. Approx 15 biscuits with a “medium” dog biscuit cookie cutter (3-4” long)
Pumpkin Carrot Bites
Ingredients:
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (get the kind that has ONLY pumpkin in it)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1 cup coconut flour
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Stir pumpkin, egg, carrots and flour in a large bowl until moistened.
- Roll the batter into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 – 35 minutes.
Recipe yields approximately four dozen Pumpkin Carrot Bites. Please refrigerate for longer shelf life.
Turkey Jerky (Can use chicken)
Ingredients:
2 to 4 turkey cutlets
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove any excess fat from the turkey. Turn the turkey cutlet on its side and use a paring knife to slice the cutlet into 1/8 inch thick strips.
- Set the strips on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 hours.
- Check the turkey before removing from the oven. It should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy.
- Allow the turkey to cool completely before serving.
Store in airtight container in fridge for up to two weeks.
Sweet Potato Chips
Ingredients:
1 sweet potato
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice sweet potato using a paring knife into 1/8 inch thick chips.
- Set the chips on a baking sheet. Bake for 2 hours.
- Check the chips before removing from the oven. It should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy.
- Allow chips to cool completely before serving.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. For an added treat, spread a little plain yogurt on top of the chip.
Do you think these are the best homemade dog treats for the holidays? Let us know if you tried them out or if you have some other favorites to share!