Easy Holiday Dog (and Cat) Treat Recipes

Baking cookies for friends, family, and neighbors is a holiday tradition that will never go out of style. Don’t leave your fur kids out! With our simple homemade recipes, it is easier than ever to indulge your dog and cat with holiday treats, just as you do for the human beings in your family. When you bake your own pet treats, you know exactly what wholesome ingredients are going into it, unlike some store bought treats that contain dyes, fillers, and byproducts. 

2-Ingredient Holiday Dog Treats

It can’t get easier than a 2-ingredient, perfect-for-beginners holiday dog treat recipe. This recipe features pureed baby food, in which you can choose your own flavor combinations. Be sure to choose proteins, fruits, or vegetables that are safe to feed to your dog.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 2 (4oz) jars of pureed baby food. 
  • Examples: Chicken and sweet potato. Beef and blueberry. Turkey and carrot.
• Optional: red or green food dye

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Mix ingredients together to form a workable dough. You may need to add a little extra flour or water to get the right consistency. Roll dough into a ball. Flour a hard surface and roll dough out with a rolling pin until it is about ¼” thick.
3. Use a cookie cutter to make cute holiday shapes. Using red or green food dye in the mix adds to the festivity of these holiday dog treats.
4. Place dough shapes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 20-25 min. Cool completely before storing in a paper bag.

Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Treats

Pumpkin is a wonderful autumn flavor that is perfect for baked goods during the holidays. Pumpkin is also a nutritious addition to holiday dog treats that adds fiber, helps regulate digestion, and relieves mild diarrhea. Combine it with the flavor of peanut butter, and you have a winning combination dogs love. 

When choosing peanut butter for your holiday dog treat recipes, always read the ingredient label to see if it contains xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener that is often used in sugar-free products. It is safe for humans but deadly for pets. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup canned pumpkin puree (DO NOT use pumpkin pie filling – it contains spices)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• Dash of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. You may need to add a teaspoon or two of water to form a workable dough. Roll dough into a ball. Flour a table surface and roll dough out with a rolling pin until it is ½” thick. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
3. Place dough shapes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for about 30 minutes until hard. Let cool completely before transferring to a paper bag for storage.

Chicken and Pumpkin Jerky Treats For Cats or Dogs

This two-ingredient treat recipe is super simple and packed with protein. Cats and dogs love jerky treats, so this one is perfect for a household with both. If your oven has an option to use a convection fan, use it to speed up the jerky drying process.

Ingredients:

• ½ lb ground chicken (or turkey)
• ¼ cup canned pumpkin puree

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to its lowest temperature setting, or 150 °F.
2. Mash the ingredients together and spread onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet with a large spoon until the mix is about ¼” thick.
3. Dry in the oven for about 4 hours or until dry. Cut into small pieces when done.