Discover 10 easy homemade Christmas treats for dogs, from peanut butter cookies to sweet potato bites, safe, festive recipes your furry friend will love. My golden retriever, Max, has this way of sitting by the kitchen counter whenever I start baking, his tail wagging hopefully as the sweet smells fill our home. Last Christmas, I realized he deserved his own memorable holiday treats instead of just watching me make cookies for everyone else. That realization led me down a wonderful rabbit hole of discovering homemade Christmas dog treats that are both safe and delicious for our four-legged family members.

The holiday season brings so much joy, but it can also bring anxiety about what foods are safe for our pets. Commercial dog treats during Christmas often contain ingredients that make me pause and wonder about their quality. Making homemade holiday dog treats has become one of my favorite traditions, and honestly, Max seems to enjoy them more than any expensive store-bought option I have ever tried.

Peanut butter Christmas cookies top my list of go-to festive dog treats. I use natural peanut butter without xylitol, whole wheat flour, and a touch of honey. The dough rolls out perfectly for cookie cutters shaped like bones, stars, and little Christmas trees. Max practically drools watching me cut them out, and the kitchen smells absolutely divine while they bake. These peanut butter treats store well in an airtight container for weeks, making them perfect for holiday gift giving to other dog parents.

Sweet potato and cinnamon bites became another household favorite after I discovered how much dogs love the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes. I simply mash cooked sweet potatoes with a pinch of cinnamon and oat flour, then form small balls that bake into chewy, nutritious Christmas dog treats. The orange color makes them look festive, and the smell reminds me of holiday spice cakes.

Have you ever tried making frozen treats for dogs during winter? It might sound counterintuitive, but my Christmas dog ice cream using plain yogurt, mashed banana, and a drizzle of honey creates the perfect cool-down treat after long winter walks. I pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze overnight. Max loves crunching on these icy delights, especially after playing in the snow.

Apple cinnamon dog biscuits bring that classic holiday aroma into any kitchen. I core and dice fresh apples, mix them with oat flour, a tiny amount of cinnamon, and an egg for binding. The natural sugars in apples provide sweetness without added refined sugar, and the fiber supports digestive health. Rolling the dough thin and cutting it into festive shapes makes these healthy Christmas treats for dogs both nutritious and visually appealing.

Pumpkin spice dog cookies deserve mention because pumpkin remains available year-round and provides excellent nutritional benefits. I combine pure pumpkin puree with coconut flour and a whisper of ginger. The resulting treats have this wonderful chewy texture that keeps dogs engaged, and the seasonal spices make the whole house smell like the holidays.

Christmas training treats need to be small and irresistible, which is why I developed mini liver and sweet potato bites. I dehydrate thin slices of cooked liver and sweet potato in my oven on low heat for several hours. These bite-sized morsels work perfectly for holiday training sessions when guests visit and you need your dog to demonstrate their best behavior.

Cranberry and oat dog treats add a tart twist to the holiday treat lineup. Fresh cranberries provide antioxidants, though I use them sparingly since their natural tartness can be intense. Mixed with rolled oats and a binding agent like egg or natural peanut butter, these treats offer a unique flavor profile that many dogs find intriguing.

Turkey and rice holiday balls utilize leftover holiday turkey in the most productive way possible. I combine cooked, unseasoned turkey with cooked brown rice and form small balls that bake until firm. These protein-rich treats provide a taste of the holiday feast in dog-appropriate portions, and they freeze beautifully for future use.

Coconut and banana dog treats bring tropical flavors to winter celebrations. Mashed ripe bananas mixed with coconut flour create naturally sweet treats that require minimal additional ingredients. The coconut adds healthy fats while bananas provide potassium and natural sugars that most dogs absolutely love.

Cheese and herb holiday biscuits round out my collection of Christmas treats for pets. Using small amounts of dog-safe cheese like plain cheddar, combined with fresh parsley and whole grain flour, creates savory treats that appeal to dogs who prefer less sweet options. The herbs add freshness and can help with breath, which becomes important during holiday socializing.

Making homemade dog Christmas treats has taught me that our pets deserve the same thoughtfulness we put into gifts for human family members. Watching Max enjoy something I created specifically for him brings a special kind of joy to our holiday celebrations. These treats also make wonderful gifts for other dog owners in your life, packaged in festive containers with ribbons and homemade labels.

Reference

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Pet food guidelines and regulations. Center for Veterinary Medicine. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-foods-feeds/pet-food

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA’s regulation of pet food. Animal Health Literacy Division. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/fdas-regulation-pet-food

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2024). Food Safety Research Priorities & Studies. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/science-data/research-priorities