Thanksgiving Treats for Dogs: Delicious and Nutritious Recipes for Your Canine Companion

Thanksgiving is a time for indulgence. But, we must ensure our dogs enjoy tasty and healthy treats. This guide will explore Thanksgiving treats for dogs, foods to avoid, nutritional guidelines, and some homemade recipes to delight your pup.

Foods to Avoid During Thanksgiving

Before the recipes, we must know which Thanksgiving foods to avoid for your dog. Here are some common culprits:

• Turkey Bones: Turkey meat is safe for dogs, but turkey bones can choke them or cause internal injuries if swallowed.
• Stuffing: Many recipes include onions, garlic, and other dog-toxic ingredients.
• Gravy: Rich gravies can cause pancreatitis or gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
• Mashed Potatoes: Their butter and milk can upset dogs’ stomachs.
• Desserts, like pies and cakes, can be toxic to dogs as they often contain chocolate, raisins, or xylitol.

Nutritional Guidelines for Dog Treats

When making homemade treats for your furry friend, follow these nutritional guidelines. 

• Protein: Dogs need a balanced, protein-rich diet, which they can get from lean meats like turkey, chicken, or fish.
• Carbohydrates: Complex carbs from sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and whole grains give energy and fiber.
• Healthy Fats: Healthy fats, such as peanut butter and coconut oil, are good in moderation, as they can make a dog’s coat shiny and improve well-being.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Nutrient-rich foods like spinach, carrots, and blueberries provide essential vitamins and minerals.
• Limit Sodium and Sugar: Use salt and sugar sparingly, or try natural sweeteners like honey or applesauce.

Homemade Thanksgiving Treat Recipes for Dogs

Here are some homemade Thanksgiving treat recipes for your pup to join the festivities.

Turkey & Sweet Potato Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Lean Ground Turkey
• 1/4 Cup of Unsweetened Applesauce
• 3/4 Cup of Quick Oats
• 1/2 Cup of Sweet Potato (Fully cooked and mashed/pureed)
• 1/4 Cup Fresh Chopped Parsley (or 1 tbsp of dried parsley)

Instructions:

1. Wash and peel your sweet potato. Add your sweet potato to boiling water, boil for 20 minutes – or until soft, remove sweet potato from water, mash with a fork, and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 375 F
3. Chop fresh parsley.
4. Measure all ingredients into a mixing bowl and use hands to combine the ingredients.
5. Scoop teaspoon size amount of turkey mixture and form into meatballs. Add each meatball to a parchment lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes and check for doneness. Store in an airtight container for upto 5 days. See additional recipe notes*

Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats (old fashioned, 1-minute oats, or instant), plus more if needed. See instructions.
• ⅓ cup pure pumpkin, (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ¼ cup natural peanut butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 300F (150C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Add the oats to a food processor and grind until they reach a fine powder.
3. Add in the pumpkin and peanut butter and blend until a sticky dough is formed.
4. Remove from the processor and roll out on a lightly floured surface. (Use whole wheat flour, more ground oats, or another flour that you have on hand). Cut out cookies using a small cookie cutter of any shape, or alternatively just cut into squares with a knife.
5. Lay the treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the treats are dry and hard. Let cool before giving to your pup and then store in an airtight container. They should keep at least a week at room temperature, two weeks in the fridge, or you can freeze them.

Sweet Potato

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F.
2. Wash your sweet potato thoroughly and then slice it into ⅓” thick slices. 
3. Place the sweet potatoes on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each sweet potato slice on both sides with olive oil and a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
4. Bake in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. Flip over and bake for another 1.5 hours or until tough and chewy all the way through.
5. Let cool before giving to your pooch.
6. Keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.