Thanksgiving is Thursday, and as we discussed in this blog, your typical holiday foods can pose a danger to your furry family member. However, that doesn’t mean they need to be left out when indulging in the food of the season. Your dog is still able to enjoy Thanksgiving treats that taste delicious while keeping them healthy.
We’ve talked to the experts at Larimer Humane Society to find some of the best recipes that you can make for your pet next week. Here are four that we have chosen that are easy to make and will make him crave for more!
Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter, natural organic
- 1 cup pumpkin, organic (not pie filling)
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 3 tbsp. honey
- 2½ cups oats (Gluten-Free)
Instructions
- Add parchment paper to a baking sheet; set aside.
- In a bowl, add peanut butter, pumpkin, cinnamon, and honey; mix until incorporated. Add the oats; mix well. If the consistency seems to wet, add a pinch of more oats.
- Grab a chunk of the batter and roll into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Do the same until no more batter remains. NOTE: I rolled my balls into the size of a golf ball, maybe a little bigger.
- Place the baking sheet in the fridge to let the balls harder a bit, then store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks or place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Doggy Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb of ground turkey
- 1/2 cup chopped cranberries
- 1 cup green beans (drained)
- 1 cup of bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl mix together ground turkey, cranberries, green beans, and half of your bread crumbs.
- Slowly add the remaining bread crumbs and continue to mix until everything is sticking together well.
- Next, roll the mixture into meatballs! Place them on your cookie sheet, and bake them for 20 – 30 minutes.
Apple Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup apple sauce
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Puree cranberries and mix with apple sauce. Once combined add milk, cinnamon, and whole wheat flour until dough is well mixed.
- Knead dough into ball and roll onto a heavily floured surface 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutter of your choice.
- Place on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until browned at the edges.
- Cool and refrigerate.
- Makes 2 to 3 dozen dogs.
Frozen Turkey Dinner Treat
Ingredients
- Turkey broth
- Sweet potato, softened and chunked
- Peas
- Ice tray or mold
Instructions
- Layer peas and sweet potato chunks to loosely fill molds.
- Pour in turkey broth to cover vegetables, but make sure you leave a little bit of room to account for expansion during freezing.
- Put in the freezer for at least four hours or overnight, and you’ll be good to go!
We’d love to see your pet enjoying these Thanksgiving treats! Share your holiday photos with us by emailing them to media@nocohumane.org.
