It’s that time of year when baking kicks into high gear. We look forward to showering friends and family with delectable treats, both savory and sweet. Kids become candy carpenters as they assemble their gingerbread houses. Family recipes come to life once again as generations gather in the kitchen to watch and learn. And family pets are under foot, eager for a taste of anything in reach.

With so much great food in abundance, it may be tempting to let your furry family members nibble a morsel or two, but many of our holiday favorites can be dangerous — or downright deadly. Though we can’t share all the goodies with our pets, that doesn’t mean they have to go without! Below are some easy-to-make recipes with ingredients our Pet Paradise veterinarians agree are safe for your pets to enjoy.

Remember: The best food for your pet is a daily balanced diet that you and your vet agree is best for your pet’s individual needs. But for most, the occasional treat is okay …in moderation! 

Apple Cheddar Dog Biscuits

It’s a pup’s version of apple pie with a slice of cheddar. Source: Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 cups barley flour
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

• Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
• Step 2 – In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
• Step 3 – Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
• Step 4 – Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Kitty Delights

Cats go crazy for these little thumbprint cookies! Source: Serendipity & Spice

Ingredients

• 5oz can of tuna
• 1/2 cup white cornmeal
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

• Step 1 – Mix all ingredients together until it forms a ball.
• Step 2 – Break off tiny pieces and roll into a small bite size ball and place on baking sheet.
• Step 3 – Flatten ball with a finger– just like you’re making thumbprint cookies.
• Step 4 - Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
• Step 5 – Flip and bake an additional 5 minutes.
• Step 6 – Let cool and have your kitties enjoy!

Golden Snickerdoodles

You may be tempted, but these sweet treats are for the DOG! Source: Two of a Kind

Ingredients

• 1½ cups oat flour (or pulse rolled oats in a food processor until finely ground)
• 1½ cups brown rice flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup water

Directions

• Step 1 – In a medium bowl, whisk together the oat flour, brown rice flour and cinnamon.
• Step 2 – Add the honey, egg and vanilla extract and stir until well blended.
• Step 3 – Add ¼ cup water and mix with a fork. Continue to add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the ingredients start to come together. Then use your hands to lightly knead the dough in the bowl until it forms a ball.
• Step 4 – Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in center position.
• Step 5 – On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough until it's between ¼" and ⅛" thick. Cut out biscuits with a cutter; I used a 1" bear cutter, but any shape and size will work. Place the cutouts on a baking sheet. Press together scraps and repeat.
• Step 6 – Bake biscuits until they are golden and lightly brown around the edges, about 12 minutes (longer for larger biscuits). Allow biscuits to cool on the baking sheet; they will harden as they cool.
• Step 7 – Store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature.

Beef Liver Treats

These sugarless treats have a low glycemic index and are great for diabetic doggos. Source: allrecipes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ pounds beef liver, cut into pieces

Directions

• Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
• Step 2 – Place the liver into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. If you have room, add the flour and eggs, and process until smooth. Otherwise, transfer to a bowl, and stir in the flour and eggs using a wooden spoon. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
• Step 3 – Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the center is firm. Cool, and cut into squares using a pizza cutter. The treats will have a consistency similar to a sponge. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.