Thanksgiving is a time for appreciating the ones we cherish most—our furry friends included. There’s no better way to show your love than with a homemade harvest meal. After all, the best way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach.
If you’re looking to include your dog in the holiday festivities this year, read on for eight easy holiday dog food recipes they’ll be sure to gobble gobble gobble right up.
Festive holiday dog food recipes
Ginger bone treat
This super easy DIY gingery treat is a great tool to have in your arsenal. Ensure your buddy is on his best behavior with everyone gathered ‘round the living room this year. One batch makes five to six dozen cookies (and a really happy pooch).
Dog-friendly roast beef
Finally, a dinner both you and your dog can enjoy! This dog-friendly dinner is surprisingly simple—just top sirloin roast, a couple sweet potatoes, and a handful of common household ingredients. This wholesome and hearty meal is just the ticket for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Peas-on-Earth cakes
Rachel Ray’s Peas-on-Earth cakes are a tasty and healthy treat for your dog to nosh on while you two catch the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving together. Just be sure to take special care in completely de-boning and de-skinning the rotisserie chicken and you’ll be good as gold.
Turkey and rye meaty bones
With dried cranberries and shredded turkey, your dog won’t be able to resist these flavorful bones. Taken from the Canine Chef Cookbook, this recipe shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes to prep and needs just 20 minutes in the oven before your buddy comes sniffing around the kitchen.
Pumpkin pie
Loews Hotel’s pumpkin pie recipe is a tasty dessert that both you and your pal can enjoy. The number one culprit for dogs in your basic store-bought pumpkin pie is nutmeg and too much refined sugar. Instead, this recipe touts honey, pumpkin, and a half teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Thanksgiving dinner
Crafted by a canine nutritionist and veterinary consultant, this oatmeal-turkey-sweet-potato-cranberry combo perfectly captures all the best flavors of Thanksgiving dinner and condenses it into an easy-to-digest feast for your dog.
Gravy
If your dog is a picky eater, then this recipe is a foolproof way to spice up his usual kibble and get him in on the turkey day action. All you need to do is combine a can of dog food, a can of water, and tiny bit of cornstarch; throw it on the stove for a few minutes; and voila! You have a warm and savory gravy to drizzle over your dog’s usual fare.
Butternut squash stew
Butternut squash is full of all kinds of things like potassium and fiber, which makes this stew a healthy pick for Fido’s dinner. Highlighting squash, green peas, skinless chicken thighs, and whole grain rice, this stew will be sure to warm your buddy up after a chilly late November walk.
Top image via Flickr/Richard Gaywood
