A Dog Friendly Feast for All Occasions
With the holidays fast approaching, it seems everyone is in the holiday spirit! You’re decking the halls and getting into the festive mood.
As the days start counting, you may have grabbed a few special goodies for your four-legged friend, too; they enjoy being spoiled. But what about the holiday meals?
While some foods are pup-friendly, others (like chocolate and onion) must be avoided for safety concerns. So, how do you include your pup in the holiday celebrations without risking their health? Look no further; I’ve created the perfect holiday meal (from start to finish) to keep them included in the festivities without the stomach ache.
Drink: Pet Safe Eggnog
Arguably one of the best holiday beverages, eggnog is a must-have for every party or dinner party. Thanks to this pet-friendly recipe, including your dog in this holiday tradition isn’t difficult. Not only are these ingredients safe for your dog, but it’s also packed full of crucial nutrients to keep them moving strong. Let’s get started:
For this recipe, you’ll need
- ½ cup of Almond milk
- ½ cup of whole milk yogurt (plain)
- ½ tablespoon of raw honey
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- One large egg, separated
Start by thoroughly combining the almond milk, egg yolk, honey, and cinnamon (hand mixing is fine, but a mixer is easier). Pour mixture into a pet-friendly drinking bowl and set aside.
Mix the egg whites on high with an electric mixer until stiff white peaks form. This is going to act as the whipped cream on the eggnog. Add the egg white mixture to the top of the “eggnog” and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Appetizer: Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats
These treats whip up quickly and are a classic spin on traditional Christmas cookies. They have a wonderful aroma and can be put into virtually any shape. These are the perfect option for picky dogs with sensitive stomachs or pups that prefer snacking (typically by surfing tables and trying to convince everyone they haven’t eaten in days).
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 ½ - 3 cups whole wheat flour
- Two large eggs
- One teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper (to prevent sticking). Combine peanut butter, eggs, and pumpkin puree into a large mixing bowl with a paddle attachment.
Alternatively, a hand mixer can be used at medium-high speed. Mix until well combined (or approximately two minutes). Slowly add the 2 ½ cups of flour until incorporated. Don’t overmix, as the dough can become tough. Add ¼ cup of flour at a time until the dough is no longer sticky.
Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it until it comes together. Roll the dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out the desired shape using cookie cutters and place it onto the baking sheet. Cookies should bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
Main Course: Christmas Dinner
There is nothing better than the smells that come out of the kitchen during the holidays. It’s probably why your pup hangs out there while you’re cooking turkey dinner and all the fixings. While you can always save some turkey, plain sweet potato, peas, and carrots for your pups bowl on Christmas day, creating a custom meal that’s tasty and nutritious isn’t difficult. Here’s a crockpot meal for your dog that’s ready in a few hours. There’s no skill required—toss the ingredients into a slow cooker and dump it into their bowl.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 3 pounds lean ground turkey (other meats work well too, just make sure they’re lean and without skin)
- 1 cup squash or sweet potato, chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup fresh peas
- 1 cup carrot, diced
- 15 oz can kidney beans (drained and rinsed well)
- 1 ½ cups rice (brown or white rice)
- 4 cups water or low sodium chicken stock
Add all ingredients to a large slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Let food cool and serve meals according to the dog’s weight.
Dessert: Dog-Friendly Pupcakes (makes 12 cupcakes)
Who doesn’t love finishing off a meal with something sweet? While you probably don’t consider dessert when feeding your dog, these sweet treats are perfectly dog-friendly. This recipe makes 12 cupcakes, which can be frozen without icing ahead of time. Take one out for any occasion and let them defrost before decorating.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
Cupcake Batter
- Two ripe bananas, mashed
- Two large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- Two carrots, grated
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- Two teaspoons baking powder
Frosting
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- One brick of regular cream cheese
Start by preheating your oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Line your cupcakes with liners (or spray with non-stick cooking spray). Combine all dry ingredients using a whisk until well combined. Combine the pumpkin, bananas, eggs, and oil in a separate bowl with a spatula. Add grated carrot to the wet mixture. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry until just incorporated.
Scoop the mixture into the cupcake liners and bake for twenty minutes. While cupcakes are cooking, mix the peanut butter and cream cheese in a separate bowl.
Allow cupcakes to cool completely before icing them. Put the icing into a piping bag and swirl frosting onto the cupcake. Add a small dog treat to the top of the cake to make the cupcake extra sweet.
Wishing you and your furry companions a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and safe holiday season!
If you want to see some of the adorable pets I've photographed this holiday season, check me out on INSTAGRAM.