Christmas is a time for celebration and an excellent excuse to share our appreciation for those we love. If you have a furry four-legged family member, there’s no reason you can’t make them feel special this holiday season, too!
Yuletide treats can be the perfect gift for anyone, including your dog. Show your pup how much you care by serving these tasty Christmas dog treat recipes.
The 6 Christmas Dog Treat Recipes
1. Peanut Butter Bites
Peanut Butter Bites
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter (no sugar or artificial sweeteners)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp. water
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 1/5 tsp. baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until you form a stiff dough. Add more flour if it is too sticky.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until firm.
- Roll the dough to a ½-inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet at least ½ an inch apart, and bake for 20–25 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them stand for 1–2 hours to cool and harden.
Notes
2. Holiday Dog Treat + Sweet Potatoes from Lemons and Basil
| Prep Time: | 35 mins. |
| Bake Time: | 30 mins. |
| Total Time: | 1 hr. 5 mins. |
| Servings: | 42 |
| Calories: | 54 kcal/serving |
Bring out the warm, inviting aromas of the season with this sweet potato cookie recipe from Lemons and Basil. The smells of sweet potato, peanut butter, and cinnamon converge in these bakeable delights, offering a delicious treat your dog will be aching to try. Whip up a giant batch this Christmas to give to your dog and all their friends.
Equipment
- Medium pot
- Blender or food processor
- Small and large bowls
- Cookie sheet
- Cookie cutter
- 2 cups fresh sweet potato puree (~2 medium sweet potatoes)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup oats
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 3 tbsp. all-natural peanut butter (no artificial sweeteners)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Peel and cube two sweet potatoes and bring them to a boil in a pot of water. Reduce to low and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until soft. Drain and puree the cooked sweet potatoes in a blender or food processor.
- In a small bowl, mix the flour, oats, and cinnamon.
- Whisk the egg, sweet potato puree, and peanut butter in a large bowl until combined. Mix in the dry ingredients.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface and roll it until it is ¼–⅜ inches thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out Christmas shapes and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let sit on a rack until the cookies cool and harden.
3. Candy Cane Dog Treats from First Home Love Life
| Prep Time: | 30 mins. |
| Bake Time: | 40 mins. |
| Total Time: | 1 hr. 10 mins. |
| Servings: | 40 |
| Calories: | 49 kcal/serving |
Candy canes aren’t just for people anymore. Thanks to this fun twist on the quintessential Christmas treat, you can offer your pet a dog-friendly and 100% delicious pumpkin and peanut butter version for the holidays. Skip the artificial food dyes and use beet juice instead for a healthy, vibrant dose of color.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Pizza cutter
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 3–4 tbsp. beet juice
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whisk the eggs, peanut butter, and pumpkin puree in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Mix in the flour one cup at a time until a dough forms.
- Cut the dough in half and set one half aside. Add the beet juice to the half in the bowl, and blend until well combined.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the two doughs separately until thin. Lay on top of the other and roll lightly.
- Cut out thin strips of dough with a pizza cutter. Twist the strips to form a candy cane spiral. Make a hook at the end for the cane shape. Place the candy cane treats on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.
4. Cranberry Dog Treats from Our Kind of Wonderful
| Prep Time: | 10 mins. |
| Bake Time: | 30 mins. |
| Total Time: | 40 mins. |
| Servings: | 40 |
| Calories: | 55 kcal/serving |
Cranberry is an essential flavor of the holiday season and one your pet will love. Maybe they aren’t the healthiest snack, but you don’t have to feel bad about spoiling your dog with these fruity and sweet treats now and then. Bake and freeze a batch before the big day for a homemade stocking stuffer your dog won’t forget.
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Large bowl
- Cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
- 1 cup cranberries
- 3–4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 4 tbsp. melted butter
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- ½–1 cup water
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Chop the cranberries in a blender or food processor.
- Mix the flour, oats, cinnamon, and baking powder in a large bowl. Add the melted butter, chopped cranberries, egg, and molasses. Slowly mix in the water a little at a time until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it to ¼–½ inch thick. Cut shapes with a cookie cutter and transfer them to a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.
5. Cranberry Applesauce Dog Treats from Sparkles & Sunshine
| Prep Time: | 10 mins. |
| Bake Time: | 15 mins. |
| Total Time: | 25 mins. |
| Servings: | 30 |
| Calories: | 33 kcal/serving |
Give your dog a healthier treat full of festive flavors with these cranberry applesauce dog treats. Cut the dough into your favorite Christmas shapes and bake, and you’ll have a fresh assortment ready in minutes. With fewer calories than many other sugary treats, you won’t mind your dog stealing an extra cookie or two.
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Large mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup milk
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix the cranberries and unsweetened applesauce in a blender.
- Pour the blend into a bowl and add the milk, cinnamon, and flour. Mix until a dough forms, adding more flour as needed if it’s too sticky.
- Roll the dough onto parchment paper and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Transfer the cookies to a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes or until browned on the edges.
- Remove from the oven, let cool, and refrigerate before serving.
6. Peanut Butter, Banana, and Carob Dog Treats from Dalmatian DIY
| Prep Time: | 10 mins. |
| Bake Time: | 15 mins. |
| Total Time: | 25 mins. |
| Servings: | 30 |
| Calories: | 35 kcal/serving |
Even though your pup can’t enjoy chocolate Christmas treats, they can get the next best thing with these peanut butter and banana cookies featuring dog-friendly carob. The low-calorie holiday snacks are as healthy as they are delicious and are an inspiring option when your dog gets bored with their typical treats.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
- 1 mashed, ripe banana
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup all-natural smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup carob powder
- ¾ cup brown rice flour
- Optional: 1 tbsp. ground flax or LSA
- Optional: 1 tbsp. gelatin powder
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix mashed banana, egg, peanut butter, and optional ingredients (if using) in a mixing bowl. Add carob powder and stir to combine.
- Add flour in small increments until you form a dough.
- Let the dough rest before cutting it into shapes with a cookie cutter. Place cookies on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool before serving.
How Many Christmas Treats Can I Give My Dog?
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s no single answer to how many treats they can eat daily. The general rule is to limit them to only 10% of your dog’s diet. If your dog eats 1,000 calories daily, 100 can be in treats.
More critical than counting calories is checking ingredients. Homemade treats provide countless creative possibilities, but it’s easy to add components that sound tasty but are dangerous for dogs.
For instance, chocolate and xylitol are two common hazards in foods you might accidentally use in your recipes. Watch for questionable ingredients, and research anything you aren’t 100% sure is safe.
Consider your dog’s unique needs as well. Although many ingredients are generally dog-friendly, they may still conflict with medical conditions. Consult your vet if you have any uncertainties before arranging your dog’s Christmas treat menu.
Final Thoughts
Baking is one of the most enjoyable holiday traditions, and our dogs give us a perfect excuse to keep the oven blazing. Find your dog’s favorite flavors for custom treats that’ll have them begging for more. Take inspiration from these Christmas dog treat recipes to build the ultimate pet-friendly holiday menu this year!
Featured Image Credit: Zivica Kerkez, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 6 Christmas Dog Treat Recipes
- 1. Peanut Butter Bites
- 2. Holiday Dog Treat + Sweet Potatoes from Lemons and Basil
- 3. Candy Cane Dog Treats from First Home Love Life
- 4. Cranberry Dog Treats from Our Kind of Wonderful
- 5. Cranberry Applesauce Dog Treats from Sparkles & Sunshine
- 6. Peanut Butter, Banana, and Carob Dog Treats from Dalmatian DIY
- How Many Christmas Treats Can I Give My Dog?
- Final Thoughts
