With the festive season upon us, it’s time to celebrate some of the most important things in life: family, friends, and of course, food!
Christmas provides a wonderful opportunity for all the family to come together and to indulge in our favourite treats, and our pets are no exception.
Now that the big day is just around the corner, we’ve compiled a selection of dog-friendly Christmas dinner ideas that will tickle the taste buds of any pooch. We also take a look at the foods your pet should avoid, along with a nifty idea for the perfect pup-inspired gourmet Christmas gift!
Recipe 1: Christmas dinner with all the trimmings
This recipe is perfect for including your dog in the family dining experience. Also, it’s important to note that it contains half the daily calories for a medium-sized dog.
Ingredients:
- 100g roasted skinless turkey
- 40g tin of salmon, drained
- 350g potatoes, boiled or mashed
- 50g boiled Brussels sprouts
- 50g raw or boiled carrots
- 1tbsp cranberry sauce
- 6tbsp giblet stock
Method:
- Prepare the ingredients before mixing everything together
- Put the mix in your dog’s bowl and watch them enjoy!
Recipe 2: A feast for the poultry-free pup
If your pooch is on a poultry-free diet, this delicious alternative to the traditional turkey dinner is likely to go down a storm.
Ingredients:
- 1lb low-fat ground beef
- 1 large potato, diced
- 2tbsp coconut oil
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 diced carrot
Method:
- In a large skillet, cook the meat through
- Stir in the coconut oil, then add the carrots and potatoes to the pan
- Add enough water to cover the veggies
- Bring to the boil on high heat, then lower to a simmer
- Simmer for 20 minutes
- Add the peas and stir
- Allow cooling before serving a portion appropriate for your dog
Recipe 3: A delectable dessert for your dog
Once the main event has been thoroughly enjoyed, it’s time to finish off the festive feast with these delicious banana biscuits.
Ingredients:
- 2tbsp flax seeds
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups wholewheat flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large banana, mashed
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup water
Method:
- Add the flax seeds, oats, flour, cinnamon and salt into a mixing bowl
- Stir in the mashed bananas, coconut oil and water
- When the mixture is thick enough to roll into a ball, roll it out on a wooden chopping board using a rolling pin
- Use a cookie cutter to create your desired shape and pop them on a baking tray
- Bake in the oven at 175 degrees for 20 minutes
- Ensure they are completely cool before serving
Be aware of the foods you should NOT feed your dog
While including your dog in the festive feast serves as a special bonding experience with your pet, it’s important not to get so caught up in the excitement that you lose sight of what you are feeding them – and how much.
Firstly, while we all splurge at Christmas, try not to exceed your dog’s daily calorie intake by too much over the festive season. Overindulging them with a variety of different foods can affect their digestion and may cause vomiting and diarrhoea – something you certainly don’t want to deal with on Christmas Day.
There is also a list of gourmet treats that we, as humans, can freely enjoy at Christmas, but these can be extremely dangerous foods for our canine friends. Chocolate and alcohol, which can be found in many seasonal dishes, pose a high risk to dogs. Both items contain toxins that are poisonous to our precious pets, and if consumed, may put their health at risk.
Even seemingly innocent vegetables such as onions, leeks and garlic are toxic for dogs, so be wary of feeding them anything that may contain traces of these veggies, such as stuffing and gravy.
Other popular Christmas sweet treats like pudding and mince pies should be banned from your dog’s festive menu. These typically contain ingredients like raisins, sultanas, and other dried fruits that can cause severe issues, such as kidney failure, even when consumed in small amounts.
To avoid the risk of exposing your dog to any of these items this Christmas, you can put together a special treat stash that they can enjoy to their heart’s content.
Treat your dog to a bespoke selection box this Christmas!
A favourite of children and adults alike, a selection box has long been considered a Christmas-stocking staple. But it doesn’t seem fair that we should have all the fun, so why not include your doggie in the festivities?
Creating your very own bespoke selection box as a pet-friendly stocking filler will not only add to the excitement of Christmas morning, as you watch them open their gift from Santa, but it will give you peace of mind that the treats they are consuming are suitable, healthy choices.
Include treats that your pooch will enjoy chewing, but that has added nutritional benefits. Choose a range of flavours that will appeal to your dog, such as VETIQ Creamy Centres, or opt for an added health kick with the Healthy Treats range. Formulated by nutritionists, these treats are not only delicious options for your dog but will promote their overall wellbeing.
A happy dog means a happy Christmas – and we hope you and yours have just that this year!
