Dog lovers appreciate it when their friends and family members remember their pets over the holidays, and there’s nothing their dogs enjoy receiving more than yummy, healthy treats. Homemade dog treats add a personal and loving touch to the holiday season. There are tons of recipes online, but the goal is to find a recipe that will be healthy, safe and keep dogs begging for more.

Tips for selecting recipes:

·         Avoid using ingredients that many dogs have sensitivities to, like wheat (wheat flour), corn and soy.

·         The simpler the recipe, the better. Use pure, whole ingredients.

·         If making a recipe calling for peanut butter, be sure to select one that does not contain xylitol, an ingredient that is toxic to dogs.

·         Read the ingredient panel for every ingredient you want to include in a recipe, using natural and organic ingredients whenever possible. Do not use any artificial ingredients.

·         For a list of additional ingredients to avoid, including substances poisonous to dogs, visit aspca.org.

After making treats, it is best to refrigerate or freeze them, since they are made without any preservatives. Wrap them in cellophane and use festive holiday ribbons. On gift tags, list all ingredients and how to store the treats.

Here’s a recipe from K9Instinct.com that only takes three ingredients, is easy to make and nutritious.

Grain-Free Peanut Butter Dog Cookie

Coconut flour is grain- and gluten-free and provides healthy oils for improving the skin and coat. Flavorful peanut butter is a great source of protein, and the eggs provide additional protein and healthy fats for skin and coat. Natural peanut butter makes these treats fairly low in calories. Due to a lack of preservatives in this recipe, they must be stored in the refrigerator or frozen.

1 cup of coconut flour

1 cup of all-natural peanut butter

4 eggs

Combine coconut flour, peanut butter and eggs in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. 

Shape into 1-inch balls or roll out and cut shapes with a cookie cutter.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 17 to 20 minutes.

Dr. Karen Becker, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, provides these directions for making homemade chicken strips for dogs.

Homemade Chicken Strip Treats

Buy boneless chicken breasts, remove any fat and slice into long, thin strips—the thinner the better. Place the strips on a greased or non-stick cookie sheet and bake them for at least three hours at 180 degrees F. The low temp dries the chicken out slowly, so the strips will be nice and chewy. Let them cool, then store in airtight container or bag.

Additional Resources for Finding Healthy Treat Recipes

• Dr. Becker’s Healthy Treats free e-book, found at HealthyPets.Mercola.com
• Natural Dog: A Holistic Guide to Healthier Dogs by Dr. Deva Khalsa
• TheHonestKitchen.com/recipes

Barbara Emmett is a canine lifestyle coach and president/owner of Godfrey’- Welcome to Dogdom, in Mohnton. Connect with her at 610-777-5755 or GodfreysDogdom.com.