As the holidays swiftly approach, people are getting treats to give and enjoy. While we want our pets to enjoy these treats with us, many are toxic because they include either chocolate, nutmeg, Xylitol or too much fat. If you have friends or family members that have a pet, you can make some simple homemade treats to give them without risking a trip to the veterinarian.
1. Jerky – with an oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or dehydrator, you can make simple jerky by dehydrating some meat after slicing it into thin strips. Alternatively you can use organ meats such as liver and kidney to dehydrate. Avoid adding any seasonings as some can be toxic but don’t worry, your pets will still enjoy the treats without the seasoning.
2. Sweet Potato chips – While not all dogs enjoy sweet potatoes, many do and these treats go over well. Simply use your oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or dehydrator to dehydrate them, as with the jerky. Lightly brush with a cooking oil to add flavor; be careful that you only add a scant amount of oil as greasy treats can precipitate pancreatitis.
3. Regular Biscuits – There are many different recipes available but the most common recipe boils down to the following:
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- 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt, maximum
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp low salt beef/chicken bouillon
- 1/2 cup hot water
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- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Add the bouillon to the water and then add all the other ingredients, mixing thoroughly
- Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/2 inch thick
- Cut the dough into whatever holiday shape you want
- Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for approximately 30 minutes
- You can add some cooked and degreased bacon or other meat, pumpkin or peanut butter for different flavours. Make sure that the bacon or meat is not too fatty as it can cause pancreatitis if it is.
*Always check to ensure the dog you’re giving them to doesn’t have allergies to wheat or the meat you’ve added for flavour.
4. Frozen Yogurt Treats – You can take natural, unsweetened yogurt and mix in things such as melted peanut butter, fruit (remember – no grapes, they can be toxic to dogs) or pumpkin (unspiced, unsweetened) before freezing in cupcake tins or ice-cube trays.
Before you make any treats, check whether any of the pets have allergies and plan your treat making appropriately. Other things to avoid, because they are toxic, include: chocolate, nutmeg (never use spiced canned pumpkin for pumpkin pies), grapes and raisins. Also avoid using Xylitol sweetened products. Remember, keep the size of treat appropriate to the size of pet – human-sized cookies contain a lot of calories for a tiny dog. Your four-legged friends will appreciate the gift of healthy holiday treats.
Have a happy holiday season!
Dr. Lynn Smart- Ridgway & Dr. Ryan Ridgway
