Pet-friendly Christmas cookies for your dog or cat

The holidays are upon us again, and what could be more fun than letting your four-legged friend enjoy them with you? Just as we enjoy Christmas treats, we can also make pet-friendly Christmas cookies for our dogs and cats. In this blog, you'll find easy recipes and tips for healthy, tasty cookies that your pet can safely eat.

Why make your own pet-friendly cookies?

Many ordinary cookies contain ingredients such as sugar, chocolate and artificial additives that are are harmful to animals. By baking your own cookies, you have control over the ingredients and can make something that suits your pet's taste and health. Plus, homemade cookies are often a lot cheaper AND fun to make with your pet.

Recipes for Christmas cookies for dogs

1. Apple-cinnamon dog cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 apple (without core and seeds)
• 200 grams of whole wheat flour or rice flour
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (make sure it's pure cinnamon, not cinnamon sugar)
• A little water to mix the dough

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and cover a baking sheet with baking paper.
2. Grate the apple and mix it with the egg and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Add the flour and stir well. Add water little by little until you have a firm dough.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and use Christmas shapes to cut out the cookies.
5. Bake the cookies in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool completely before giving them to your dog.

2. Peanut butter pumpkin cookies

Ingredients:

• 120 grams of pumpkin puree (make sure there is no sugar or spices in it)
• 60 grams of peanut butter (without xylitol or other artificial sweeteners)
• 1 egg
• 200 grams of whole wheat flour

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Mix the pumpkin puree, peanut butter and egg until smooth.
3. Add the flour and knead into a firm dough. Roll out the dough and cut out Christmas shapes.
4. Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes. They should be firm but not too hard.
5. Let the cookies cool completely before giving them to your dog.

Note: Dogs generally like the taste of peanut butter, but some dogs have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract. In that case, give a small amount to test.

Recipes for Christmas cookies for cats

1. Tuna cookies for cats

Ingredients:

• 1 can of tuna (in water, not oil or salt)
• 100 grams of whole wheat rice flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of catnip (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C.
2. Drain the tuna and mash it well.
3. Mix the tuna with the egg and flour to form a firm paste.
4. Add some catnip if necessary for an extra treat.
5. Roll small balls of the dough, flatten them and place them on a baking sheet.
6. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10-12 minutes, then let them cool completely.

2. Chicken liver candies for cats.

Ingredients:

• 100 grams of chicken liver, cooked and finely chopped
• 50 grams of oatmeal (ground into flour)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of water (if needed)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C.
2. Mix well the chopped liver, oatmeal flour and egg.
3. If necessary, add a little water if the mixture is too dry.
4. Form small cookies or balls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes until firm, and let cool.

General tips for baking pet-friendly Christmas cookies

Be careful with herbs and spices: Cinnamon may be safe for dogs in small amounts, but nutmeg, garlic and onion, for example, are toxic to both dogs and cats.
Choose healthy and pure ingredients: Avoid sugar, salt, artificial additives and chocolate, as these are harmful to pets.
Test new flavors carefully: Every pet is different. Always try a small piece of cookie and see how your dog or cat reacts to it.
Store the cookies properly: Pet cookies without preservatives can spoil quickly. Store them in the refrigerator or freeze them to keep them good longer.

Let your pet join in the Christmas cheer!

With these recipes, you can give your dog or cat a safe, healthy and festive snack during Christmas. Homemade Christmas cookies are a fun way to show your love for your pet and treat them to something special. Enjoy the holidays and have fun baking! But note: before you serve your cat a bowl of milk to go with the cookies, read first Why milk is actually not good for cats at all.