Homemade Holiday Treats for Fido

With the holidays approaching, many of us are indulging in some special seasonal treats. If you have a dog, your furry pal will be paying very close attention to those yummy snacks. Why not make Fido something special? In this article from Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, a local vet lists some great homemade doggy treats.

You can make your canine buddy his own version of this classic holiday drink. Combine sodium-free chicken or beef broth, plain yogurt, and an egg. Put it in a blender or food processor to make it frothy. Pop a dog biscuit on top for a special finishing touch.

Mix pureed pumpkin with natural peanut butter, whole-wheat flour, and eggs. When you have the batter mixed, separate it into individual portions by using a cute pet-themed cookie cutter. You can also pour the mix into a brownie or cupcake pan. Cook for about 20 minutes at 350.

You can actually make this for the family, and just share it with Fido. The main difference between regular meatloaf and the dog-safe version is the lack of garlic and/or onions, which are toxic to dogs. Combine minced beef or turkey with parmesan cheese, peas, carrots, and tomato paste. Cook at 400 for about 20 minutes, or until done.

There are lots of ways you can make doggy biscuits for your pooch. For a base, you can combine natural peanut butter with plain yogurt, pureed pumpkin, bacon grease, liver powder, ripe bananas, or plain, shredded meat. Customize Fido’s treats by adding things like bacon bits; cheese; egg; olive oil; and/or dog-safe veggies, like spinach, carrots, or peas. Look online for recipe ideas.

Mix chicken or beef liver with eggs and whole-wheat flour or wheat germ in a blender or food processor. Pour the mixture into a brownie pan or cupcake pan, and then cook at 350 for about a half hour. Don’t go overboard with these treats, though, as too much liver isn’t good for dogs. Also, be careful not to get these mixed up with regular brownies!

All of us here at Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, want to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season. Please contact us for all of your dog’s veterinary care needs.