Thanksgiving Treat Recipes for Pets

While preparing our Thanksgiving Holiday feast, the mouth-watering scent of turkey and ham roasting in the oven, mixed with the scrumptious aroma of freshly baked apple and pumpkin pie wafting throughout our homes is enough to drive any hungry feline or canine crazy.

However, on Thanksgiving Day, most of the delicious goodies we will be sharing with friends and family are too rich for furry companions. These holiday foods can even end up causing a pet to have an upset tummy.

So when the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving dinner is finally over, and the leftovers are stashed securely away, to include our furry companions in the festivities; there are a wide variety of easy to make home-made treats to make ahead of time which are healthier alternatives to traditional table scraps.

To make treat preparations for your dog a breeze at Thanksgiving, The Sunbeam Dog Treat Maker (details on winning one below!) is an excellent appliance for pet pawrents. It also comes equipped with easy to prepare treat recipes that cook within minutes. This holiday helper is sold at PetSmart for $29.99.

Need more inspiration? Here’s a look at a two simple treat recipes:

For Cats According to feline nutrition expert, Lisa Pierson, DVM, our feline friends are obligate carnivores whose optimum diet consists mainly of protein and only 1-2% carbohydrate. I ran across an easy to prepare, nutritionally well-balanced treat that meets this ratio, which should delight even the finickiest feline.

Turkey-Pumpkin Treats:

You will need:  1/2 cup finely shredded cooked turkey; 1 tablespoon finely grated carrots, and 3 tablespoons unseasoned canned pumpkin Directions:  Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender. 2. Puree for 20 seconds. No cooking is necessary. One teaspoon is the serving size for kittens and a tablespoon for cats. Feed it from a spoon or your finger. It’s also great to use as a training treat.  Optional: Mix in some tuna water while pureeing for greater taste sensation. The mixture lasts safely for a week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Check out: grainless cat treats for more recipes

For Dogs Bacon “Bark” Sticks: (Makes 24)

You will need:  1 egg, 1 ¼ cups fat free milk, 1 tablespoon honey, 4 tablespoons bacon fat, ¼ cup bacon, crumbled, 3 1/4 cups whole wheat flour. Directions: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl whisk together the egg, milk, honey, bacon fat, and bacon. Stir in the flour one half at a time until full mixed. Knead the dough until it’s fully combined.

Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface into a 4” by 12” rectangle. Cut out 4” by ½” sticks using a pizza cutter until all the dough has been used. Line the sticks on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely before serving. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will last for up to a week. Warning: Dog guardians may be tempted to steal one of these yummy delights.

For more dog treat recipes check out: Tempting Doggie Treats. 

Petside's Sunbeam Dog Treat Maker Giveaway! Score a chance to win this season's snazzy Sunbeam Dog Treat Maker! To have the free treat maker mailed to you, let us know what your pet's favorite treat is in the comments section below. A winner will be chosen at random. Click here for official rules.