Holiday Pet Safety Tips + Vet-Approved Festive Treat Recipes
Everyone knows that the holiday season revolves around food and family.
Of course, we also want our furry family members to be part of the festive celebrations. Our pet health experts at the CVM Pet Health Center, a primary-care clinic conveniently located on UGA’s Athens campus, have shared valuable tips on safely including your pets in the holiday festivities, along with two healthy treat recipes to make their season special.
Not Sharing is Caring
While it might be tempting to slip your pet some tasty table scraps, Dr. Sara Gonzalez, a veterinarian at the PHC, advises against it. Each year, during the fall and winter holidays, veterinarians see an uptick in pet health problems due to well-meaning owners sharing their food with their pets. One of the most common conditions is pancreatitis—a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
“Pancreatitis is often precipitated by fatty table scraps, which are plentiful around the holidays,” says Dr. Gonzalez.
In short, when it comes to your pet and your plate, not sharing truly is caring.
Skip the Scraps
Instead of offering scraps, show your pet how thankful you are by preparing their own special treats.
Below, we share two recipes that are simple to make and have been approved by our veterinarians at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Best of all, these options contain ingredients safe for both dogs and cats.
Don’t Let Treats Spoil Your Pet’s Dinner
Moderation is key when it comes to treats. Pet obesity is all too common and can lead to other health problems.
Treats should constitute only 10% of a pet’s daily diet. So, even if you indulge this holiday season, ensure your four-legged friends don’t.
Pawsitive Reinforcement
Dr. Sarah Everett highlights that treats can be a great way to include healthy activity in your pet’s day, particularly for felines. Using treats to entice your cat into movement and play maximizes the potential health benefits.
“Encourage some movement in your kitties’ day with some tasty motivation!” suggests Dr. Everett.
DIY Healthy Holiday Pet Treats
Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1/2 cup of pet-safe peanut butter
When preparing pet treats, ensure that your peanut butter is free from Xylitol, an artificial sweetener toxic to dogs. Dr. Autumn Vetter from the Pet Health Center emphasizes that owners should exercise particular caution when purchasing peanut butter for their pets. Dr. Vetter notes that low-fat and sugar-free varieties are most likely to contain Xylitol, so it’s crucial to read labels carefully.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin and peanut butter.
- Stir in the flour and combine the mixture into a dough.
- Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Cut the dough into shapes with a festive cookie cutter
- Place the treats 1/2 an inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Allow to cool before your pet taste tests.
Tiny Turkey Triangles
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ground turkey
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tbsp of olive oil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, turkey, oil, and egg to create a well-incorporated dough.
- Form a ball with the dough
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick
- Using a knife, carefully score the surface of the dough in 1/2 inch rows horizontally and diagonally in both directions to create a triangle pattern.
- Place the dough on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
- After the treats have cooled, you can easily snap the triangles apart to create the perfect bite-sized treat.
- Store in the fridge.
This recipe yields a large number of treats, so make sure to freeze any leftovers after three days to keep them fresh.
Celebrate Safely
As the fall season brings an abundance of food, family, and festivity, remember to keep your pets’ health in mind. By avoiding harmful table scraps and choosing healthy, veterinarian-approved treats, you can help ensure your pets enjoy the season safely. With some extra care and attention, the holidays can be memorable for every member of your family.
Recipes inspired by the American Kennel Club and Chewy.
This article contains recipe information that has been reviewed by a veterinarian and considered safe for pets. However, not all pets can tolerate different foods. If you have any concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your veterinarian before feeding your pet any new foods or offering your pet any of the ingredients contained in the recipes.
