Leftover Thanksgiving food isn’t just for sandwiches. With simple changes, they turn into Healthy Thanksgiving Dog Treats. Our guide uses pantry staples to make treats that dogs love, following vet advice. You probably have these real ingredients at home.
This guide includes dog treats with pumpkin purée, sweet potato, eggs, plain rice, and unsweetened applesauce. We have soft pumpkin dog treats, crunchy peanut butter dog bones without xylitol, and meat-and-rice bakes. These treats let your dog celebrate with you.
We focus on safety first, following advice from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control and VCA Hospitals. No xylitol, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, macadamia nuts, caffeine, citrus, raw meats, salty foods, yeast dough, and dairy. Vet-approved means ingredients that are safe and digestible.
These treats do more than feed. They keep your dog busy and reduce begging while you cook. Giving your dog holiday treats makes them feel part of the family. You’ll discover recipes for pumpkin, sweet potato, and peanut butter dog treats that are easy to make.
Why Vet-Approved Leftover Treats Belong on Your Thanksgiving Menu
Thanksgiving is full of delicious smells. Making dog treats from safe leftovers keeps the day peaceful. It’s easy to do, and your dog will be happy.
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Benefits of homemade dog treats: control over ingredients and freshness
You choose the ingredients: only the best like 100% pure pumpkin, applesauce without added sugar, real eggs, and healthy flour. This lets you dodge harmful preservatives and additives, such as xylitol.
Making these treats is straightforward, and their soft dough means you can tweak recipes as needed. Keep them in the fridge or freeze for later. This makes holidays easier and treats safer.
How including dogs in the festivities curbs begging and keeps them happy
Starting with the kitchen, involve your dog in the celebration. Offer them treats while you’re busy with the turkey to avoid begging. This way, they stay calm and close to the family.
Set rules: snacks for the dog, dinner for people. Their own treats mean less bothering guests. This tradition mixes happiness with safety.
What “vet-approved” really means: safe, simple, digestible ingredients
Vet-recommended ingredients are easy on the stomach: fibrous pumpkin, easy-to-digest rice flour, and protein-rich eggs. Be cautious with peanut butter; it should not contain xylitol. These careful choices matter for your dog’s health.
Stick to simple treats to help with digestion. Rice and boiled meat is a safe, comforting mix. Choosing basic, reliable foods for treats makes the holidays stress-free and happy for your dog.
Safe Thanksgiving Leftovers to Use for Treats
Holiday plates can turn into healthy, homemade treats for dogs. Choose simple, whole foods that are mild and easy to digest. Avoid sugar, spices, and butter. Use these tips to make tasty rewards from safe Thanksgiving leftovers.
Pumpkin and sweet potato purée (not pie filling): fiber and beta-carotene
Use 100% canned pumpkin or baked sweet potato purée, not pie filling. A 15-ounce can provides fiber and beta-carotene. It keeps treats moist and gentle on your pet’s stomach.
Sweet potato dog treats are soft yet hearty because of this.
Plain cooked rice or brown rice flour for sensitive pups
Plain cooked rice is great during tummy upsets. When baking, swap wheat flour with brown rice flour for sensitive dogs. It makes sturdy treats dogs adore.
Eggs for protein and binding
Two beaten eggs add structure to crunchy treats. One large egg is perfect for softer bakes. Eggs bring protein and nutrients, and help keep treats together without added fats.
Unsweetened applesauce for moisture in soft treats
Unsweetened applesauce keeps treats soft, which is great for older dogs or those with dental issues. Make sure the label shows only apples, water, and vitamin C. A half-cup adds moisture and balances flavors, creating soft, tasty snacks.
Quick prep notes: To make soft treats, heat your oven to 350°F. Mix an egg, pumpkin, and applesauce. Then slowly mix in flour until the dough is soft. Roll the dough, cut it into shapes, and bake for about 18 minutes. For crunchier treats, preheat the oven to 325°F. Combine pumpkin or sweet potato, eggs, peanut butter without xylitol, and brown rice flour. Roll the dough to 1/2 inch thick and bake for about 25 minutes, or until dry and golden.
Healthy Thanksgiving Dog Treats
Make tasty leftovers for your dog with easy swaps. Use xylitol-free peanut butter and stick to plain, cooked food. These simple changes help you make soft pumpkin treats, crunchy peanut butter bones, and gentle rice with meat for your dog.
Soft pumpkin dog treats for seniors or dogs with dental issues:
Based on Cheryl Bennett’s recipe, start by whisking 1 large egg. Then, mix in 1 cup pumpkin purée and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce. Add 3 1/2 cups flour—whole wheat or gluten-free—until you get a soft dough. Roll it thin, cut shapes, and bake at 350°F for 18 minutes. They’re soft, perfect for older dogs or those with tooth problems. Make smaller pieces for little dogs. One batch makes a lot and is low in fat.
Crunchy pumpkin–peanut butter bones (xylitol-free only):
Mix 3 cups brown rice flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a can of pumpkin purée, 2 eggs, and 1/4 cup xylitol-free peanut butter. Peanut butter brands vary, so check the labels. Roll the dough thick and cut bone shapes. Bake at 325°F for about 25 minutes until they’re dry and golden. You can also shape them from chilled dough or press into small balls. Just remember, dogs will love these, so give them in small amounts.
Simple rice-and-meat bakes using plain, boiled proteins:
Mix cooked rice with chopped, boiled turkey or chicken. No skin, bones, or seasoning, please. Form little patties and bake until firm. You can add an egg or some applesauce as binding or for moisture. This recipe is good for dogs needing bland diets but still allows for a treat. Avoid adding onions, garlic, or anything with salt.
Storage tips: refrigerate 1–2 weeks; freeze up to 3 months:
After cooling the treats, store them in airtight containers. Soft treats stay fresh in the fridge for two weeks. Crunchy ones can last at room temperature for a week or more if kept cold. Freezing the treats extends their life up to three months. Thaw them as you need. Keeping a few in the fridge and the rest frozen avoids mold and keeps the treats tasty.
Foods to Avoid and Safety Tips During the Holidays
When planning your holiday meals, focus on safe treats for dogs. Avoid giving them risky Thanksgiving foods. Keep them away from raw or undercooked meat, eggs, and bones. Also, don’t give them seasoned dishes with onions, garlic, or a lot of salt. Only use 100% pumpkin, not the pie mix. Throw away fatty skins, gravies, and drippings to keep their stomachs happy.
Remember, certain foods are very toxic to dogs during Thanksgiving. These include alcohol, avocado, chocolate, coffee, caffeine, and citrus. Also, avoid coconut, coconut oil, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and most dairy products. Stay away from mixed nuts, onions, garlic, chives, salty snacks, yeast dough, bacon, shrimp, pomegranate, peaches, plums, sugary foods, and all human medicines. These can harm your dog, even in tiny amounts.
Always check labels for sweeteners like xylitol, which is harmful to dogs. This is particularly true for some “low-sugar” peanut butters. Brands like Jif might change their formulas, so double-check every jar. If unsure, go for plain, boiled proteins and rice without any spices.
If your pet eats something dangerous, call the ASPCA poison control or your vet immediately. Keep the packaging, note how much they ate, and act quickly. Fast responses are crucial during holiday gatherings for the best outcome.
To keep your kitchen safe, bake dog treats while cooking your meal. This keeps your dog busy. Use pans lined with parchment paper and keep labels visible to avoid mistakes. Store soft treats in the fridge for two weeks. You can freeze them for three months. Keep crunchy bones in a sealed container at room temperature for one week, or you can refrigerate or freeze them for longer.
Be mindful of treat sizes, especially for older dogs or those with dental issues. Offer soft treats for tender mouths and crunchy ones for dogs that can handle them. This way, you maintain holiday pet safety and avoid overfeeding.
Conclusion
Ending with Healthy Thanksgiving Dog Treats, we use simple ingredients. Pure pumpkin, sweet potato, eggs, plain or brown rice flour, and applesauce can be mixed. They turn leftovers into safe treats for dogs. This way, you avoid wastefulness, manage your budget better, and ensure freshness and simplicity.
Our final thoughts include soft pumpkin treats for dogs thanks to Cheryl Bennett’s ideas from Pook’s Pantry. These are perfect for older dogs or those with sensitive teeth. Then, there are crunchy pumpkin-peanut butter bones. These are made with safe peanut butter like Jif and brown rice flour for a tasty crunch. For dogs with delicate stomachs, rice and boiled meat bakes work well. They are simple and gentle.
Remember, safety first. Always avoid xylitol and check the ASPCA’s list for foods your dog can’t eat. Use pure pumpkin purée and plain applesauce, and pick plain meats. You can keep soft treats in the fridge up to two weeks or freeze them for three months. Crunchy treats last a week at room temperature but last longer if kept cold.
Use simple tools for making treats like sheet pans with parchment, a rolling pin, and bone-shaped cutters. Optimize the treat size for your dog, make in small amounts, and freeze the extras. Only bring out a few treats when guests come. This way, your dog gets healthy snacks and you ensure the treats are fresh. It’s a great ending to our holiday dog treat talk, giving a thumbs-up to Thanksgiving pet wellness.
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