The holiday season is officially upon us. Many of us do some extra cooking at this time of year. Those scrumptious feasts are definitely something to look forward to. If you like cooking and baking, you may want to try your hand at making your dog some snacks. Fido would be more than happy to taste test! A Frisco, TX vet offers some tips on this below.

Choosing Ingredients

You can find many great recipes online, but you can also make your own. Just stick with safe ingredients. Some of these include natural peanut butter, pureed pumpkin, ripe bananas, whole-wheat flour, eggs, sodium-free broth, plain yogurt, and minced or shredded meat, fish, or poultry. You can also add canned tuna or chicken, wheat germ oil, organic baby food, bacon fat, or bacon bits. Many veggies, such as peas, carrots, spinach, are fine, as are strawberries and blueberries. If in doubt, leave it out!

Foods To Avoid

Many popular foods are toxic to our furry friends. Some things to avoid include raw dough, meat, or yeast; grapes, currants, or raisins; meat on the bone; garlic, onions, scallions, and chives; nuts; chocolate; alcohol; caffeine; pitted fruits; and anything with a lot of salt, sugar, or fat. Items containing xylitol are also a no-no. Be careful with this one: xylitol is found in many processed foods, such as baked goods. It’s also sometimes added to things that would otherwise be safe, like peanut butter. Ask your vet for more information.

Suggestions

Want to start with something simple? Mix some natural peanut butter with pureed pumpkin, whole-wheat flour, and eggs. Or, combine some canned chicken with bacon bits, organic baby food, shredded cheese, whole-wheat flour, and sodium-free broth in a food processor. Divide into small portions and cook for about 15 minutes at 350. Have Fido do a trick for his treat!

Presentation

Fido won’t care if his treats are shaped like little hearts or bones. However, it’s not a bad idea to get a cookie cutter just for him anyway. One reason is that homemade dog cookies can be great gifts for Fido’s four-legged buddies. Put some in a Mason jar, and decorate with string or ribbons. (Bonus: you won’t have to worry about anyone mistaking Fido’s snacks for human treats!) Do you have questions about your dog’s diet or care? Call us, your Frisco, TX pet hospital, today!