Five Easy DIY Holiday Dog Treats

The holidays are a time when we want all of our loved ones to feel special, and pets are no exception! Making dog treats at home is a great way to get into the spirit of the season and save money since you can make treats with ingredients already in your home. DIY Holiday treats will make your dog feel special around the holidays when the humans in the family are gathered around the dinner table.

Making your own dog treats lets you know each ingredient you are feeding your pet, eliminating the risk of harmful fillers and dangerous chemicals. Plus, making treats for your dog is fun and they also make great gifts for fellow dog parents.

Here are 5 dog-friendly holiday treats you can make for your furry friends!

1. Pumpkin Peanut Butter Biscuits

Who doesn’t love pumpkin around the holidays? I know we do!

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ Cups Whole Wheat Flour 
• 2 Large Eggs
• 2 tbsp Natural Peanut Butter - Be sure not to use any peanut butter that contains Xylitol
• ½ Cup Pumpkin Puree- Make sure you have pure pumpkin puree and not canned pumpkin pie filling
• Water (as needed)
• Salt (optional)
• Cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F
2. Mix all ingredients together by hand or with a stand mixer to form a dough. If the dough is too crumbly, add one tablespoon of water at a time until it becomes a workable texture
3. Dust a clean countertop with flour, and roll the dough into a ½-inch thick sheet
4. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes (alternatively, use a knife to cut the dough into treat-sized bars)
5. Place treats on a greased baking sheet
6. Optional: sprinkle with salt and/or cinnamon
7. Bake for about 35 minutes
8. Let cool and serve

Freeze any treats that you don’t use within 5-7 days. 

2. Roasted Chicken Apple Treats

If you roast a chicken or turkey this holiday season, save the grease and drippings to make a yummy treat for your dog!

Ingredients:

• ½ Cup Chicken or Turkey Drippings/Grease
• ½ Cup Coconut Oil
• 1 Apple, Peeled & Minced

Directions:

1. Combine chicken drippings and coconut oil in a microwave-safe container
2. Microwave until liquid (30 seconds to 1 minute)
3. Mix in apple pieces
4. Pour into dog treat mold or ice cube tray
5. Tap on the countertop for 30 seconds to remove any air bubbles
6. Place in the freezer for 3 hours or until solid
7. Remove and serve

These treats are best served outside since they tend to make a bit of a mess when melted, but your dog will love them!

 

3. Chewy Blueberry & Sweet Potato Bites

These chewy treats are perfect as a snack, reward, or just to show some holiday love to your pet.

Ingredients:

• 1 Medium Sweet Potato - Peeled, Boiled & Mashed
• 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 Cup Blueberries
• 1 tsp Olive Oil
• 1 Large Egg

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F
2. Add the blueberries to the mashed sweet potato and mash together with a fork
3. Add flour, egg, and olive oil, and mix well by hand
4. Cover your dough, and place in the fridge for 15 minutes
5. Dust a clean countertop with flour, and roll the dough into a ½-inch thick sheet
6. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add flour until you have a workable dough
7. Use cookie cutters or a knife to form the treats, and place them on a greased baking pan
8. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until firm
9. Let cool and serve

4. Applesauce & Oatmeal Cookies

You can use food coloring to make these treats more festive or serve them as-is… Delicious!

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 2 Cups Rolled Oat Flour
• 2 Large Eggs
• 2 tbsp Coconut Oil (melted)
• 1 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F
2. Combine all ingredients by hand or with a stand mixer to form a dough. If the dough is too sticky, add small amounts of flour until you’re left with a workable dough.
3. On a clean countertop dusted with flour, roll out the dough into a ½-inch sheet
4. Use cookie cutters or a knife to form the treats, and place them on a greased baking sheet
5. Bake for 35 minutes or until hard
6. Let cool and serve

5. Frozen Yogurt Berry Treats

These sweet, creamy treats are great for an after-dinner snack when the rest of the family is eating their holiday dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Plain Yogurt
• 10 Strawberries, diced
• 20 Blueberries

Directions:

1. Place blueberries and strawberries in the bottom of a dog treat mold or ice cube tray
2. Pour yogurt on top of the berries, filling evenly and smoothing out the top
3. Tap on the counter for 30 seconds to remove any air bubbles
4. Freeze overnight or a minimum of 4 hours
5. Remove and serve

These frozen yogurt treats can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

 

This holiday season, whip up something special for your pup. Making your own DIY holiday treats is easy, fun, and an extra special way to show some love to your dog this year!