Healthy Thanksgiving Treats for Pets

Thanksgiving is a special time of year where people prepare delicious foods to share with their loved ones, but a lot of these dishes are not safe or appropriate to feed to your pets. Surprising to many of us, there are quite a few human foods that are very dangerous for pets to consume. You may already be aware of some of the harmful foods such as chocolate and items containing caffeine, but did you know that citrus is also dangerous for pets? The fruit, stem, and seeds contain citric acid which can cause damage to their nervous system in large amounts. Even smaller quantities can cause an upset stomach. Also, grapes and raisins can be quite toxic to pets and can even cause kidney failure. But one of the most concerning substances is something called xylitol. It can cause liver failure and is very serious if consumed even in smaller amounts. One of the reasons this particular ingredient is so dangerous is that it is in so many products like gum, candy, and toothpaste. It’s even in some peanut butters – a food that is often given to dogs. So, make sure that you always, always double check food labels before sharing anything with your pets.

Thankfully, there are tons of foods that are very healthy and beneficial for your pets, so you don’t have to leave Rufus out of the holiday food fun. Foods high in protein like chicken and eggs are an excellent addition to their diet. Treats made of peanut butter or cheese are also great choices. A lot of dogs love to eat veggies like carrots and green beans, and most cats will go bonkers for a little salmon in their bowl. Your pets will be so thrilled with these tasty treats, that they’ll have no idea that they’re so healthy! And you’ll be thrilled with their healthy coats and teeth.

Check out this quick and easy recipe that you can share with confidence this Thanksgiving with your fur-babies!

Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Dog Cookies

Sweet potatoes are a classic dish on the Thanksgiving table and as it turns out, they’re also amazing for Fido! Rich in vitamin A and fiber, they’re a great addition to their diet.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Large Sweet Potato

2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

½ Cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal

¼ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce

2 Eggs

¼ Cup Natural Peanut Butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stab sweet potato several times with a fork or sharp knife to make numerous holes.

2. Place sweet potato in microwave on high for approximates 5-7 minutes until fork tender. Carefully peel the skin off sweet potato (potato will be extremely hot, so please use caution!). Then, mash the sweet potato and place about 1 cup in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add the remaining ingredients to the large mixing bowl and combine until a dough forms. Place dough onto a floured surface and roll dough out to about ½” thick.

4. You can use a knife or pizza cutter to cut dough into treat-sized pieces, or you can use fun cookie cutters. Small biscuit cutters work well also. Arrange treats on an ungreased baking sheet.

5. Bake until nice and crisp, about 35-45 minutes. Allow treats to remain on the pan for 10 minutes after baking before moving them to a wire rack to cool.

These cookies are sure to be a hit in your home this holiday season. Keep them in a sealed container like a cookie or mason jar and they’ll keep well for weeks. They’re full of beneficial nutrients for your dog and are also nice and crunchy so they’re great for their teeth. Plus, it takes almost no effort to throw a batch together. These also make a wonderful gift! Simply place them in a clear jar and tie a festive ribbon around it – voila! Enjoy!