The holidays are about giving, but sometimes giving can be dangerous. If you’re like me, you might like to share things with your pet, like your food, bed, couch, blankets, etc. There are some holiday dishes you should rethink sharing with your pets. We have a list of ingredients that are harmful along with some yummy recipes safe for the furry members of the family!

Harmful Foods for Pets

We know those puppy dog eyes can get you every time and that’s okay if you’re sharing foods that are safe for your pet’s digestive system. According to the American Kennel Club and the Humane Society, the following are some common ingredients harmful to pets:

• Chocolate
• Cinnamon (Not toxic, but can cause irritation to the inside of a dog’s mouth.)
• Garlic
• Ice cream
• Macadamia nuts
• Mushroom plants
• Onions and onion powder
• Salt
• Walnuts
• Yeast dough (Small amounts of plain bread are safe.)

Delicious Pet-Approved Recipes

Try these pet-friendly recipes so you fur baby can enjoy a tasty treat too!

Peanut Butter Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of peanut butter. The Humane Society suggests picking an unsalted and unsweetened peanut butter. (Be sure there is no Xylitol in it as this ingredient is toxic to dogs.)
• 1 half of a mashed ripe banana
• Water (A small amount to make the consistency of the mixture smooth)

Directions:

1. Combine the peanut butter with the mashed banana and a little water. The water will help the consistency of the mixture and help with freezing.
2. Spoon the mixture onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet or into a cookie mold for a desired shape.
3. Allow the mixture to freeze for several hours or overnight on the cookie sheet.
4. Serve.

Storing tip: Keep treats in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to a month.

Sweet Potato & Oatmeal Treats

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato
• 1 cup of oatmeal
• ½ cup of whole wheat flour

Directions:

1. Cut the sweet potato into small chunks.
2. Boil the sweet potato chunks until they turn into a soft mush mixture.
3. Remove from heat and combine the oatmeal and flour into the sweet potato mixture and stir.
4. Spoon the mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet lined with foil.
5. Bake at 380° F for 40 minutes.
6. Once cooled, serve to your pet.

Storing tip: Keep treats in an airtight container for up to three weeks.

Sweet Potato Jerky

Ingredients:

• Fresh, raw sweet potatoes

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 225° F.
2. Wash the sweet potatoes and check for any moldy skins.
3. Cut each washed potato into ½ inch to 2/3-inch strips and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Cook the sweet potato strips for 3 to 4 hours. If you want a crispier strip then bake them a little longer.
5. Allow the strips to cool before serving and storing in an airtight container.

The Humane Society suggests adjusting the size of each strip to make it appropriate for your dog before serving. Longer strips can be a choking hazard for smaller dogs.

Storing tip: Keep treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to five days.

*Consult your vet before feeding your pet any new ingredients.

For additional pet treats check out our holiday pet treats edition. Do you have a pet-friendly treat that wasn’t mentioned here? Share it with us in the comments below!