DIY Pet-Safe Holiday Treats
- Deniza Marcinkevica
- Dec 26, 2025
- 3 min read
By Taquera Woodson, Social Media Intern, and Deniza Marcinkevica, Manager, Business Development, Skytails.com
The holiday season isn’t just for humans. Our pets deserve a little festive cheer too! While store-bought treats can be convenient, making your own DIY holiday goodies is a fun, safe, and budget-friendly way to include your furry family members in the celebrations. Plus, you get full control over the ingredients, ensuring your pets enjoy delicious snacks without questionable additives or unsafe foods.
Holiday Treats You Can Make For Your Pet
1. Peanut Butter & Pumpkin “Gingerbread” Cookies
These crunchy, festive cookies smell amazing and are packed with dog-approved flavors.
Ingredients:
1 cup canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling)
½ cup xylitol-free peanut butter
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour for sensitive pups)
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
Mix pumpkin and peanut butter until smooth.
Add flour gradually to form a workable dough.
Roll out and cut with gingerbread-shaped cookie cutters.
Bake for 20–25 minutes or until firm
2. Frozen Cranberry Dog Bites
Perfect for a quick treat or a pup that loves cold snacks.
Ingredients:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
½ cup fresh cranberries
1–2 tbsp honey (optional for dogs only)
Instructions:
Blend cranberries until chopped.Mix with yogurt.
Spoon into silicone molds and freeze for 2–3 hours.
Pop out and store in the freezer.
3. Tuna & Catnip Holiday Stars
A crunchy, savory snack that’s irresistible to most cats.
Ingredients:
1 can of tuna in water (drained)
1 egg
1 cup oat flour
1 tbsp catnip (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Combine tuna and egg, then fold in the flour and catnip.
Roll into small ½-inch balls or flatten into little stars.
Bake 15–20 minutes until firm.
4. Salmon Snowflakes
A soft, protein-rich treat your cat will go wild for.
Ingredients:
1 pouch cooked salmon
1 egg
½ cup coconut flour
Instructions:
Mix salmon and egg until smooth.
Add coconut flour until the dough holds its shape.
Press into snowflake silicone molds.
Bake at 325°F for 18–20 minutes.
Why Make Your Own Pet Treats
1. Better ingredients. Homemade treats let you choose wholesome ingredients with no artificial flavors, dyes, or preservatives.
2. Perfect for sensitive tummies. If your pet has allergies or dietary restrictions, you can easily tailor recipes.
3. Festive bonding. Baking together brings holiday spirit into the kitchen, and your pets love being taste-testers.
Holiday Safety Tips For Pet Treats
Avoid toxins: Never use chocolate, raisins, grapes, nutmeg, xylitol, or artificial sweeteners.
Moderation matters: Even healthy treats should be fed in small amounts. Too much can upset your pet’s stomach.
Introduce new foods slowly: Watch for signs of allergies or sensitivities.
Store properly: Keep baked treats in an airtight container, refrigerate or freeze when needed.
Conclusion
Making DIY pet-safe holiday treats is a delightful way to involve your pets in seasonal festivities while keeping them safe and healthy. Whether you’re baking crunchy cookies for your dog or shaping little salmon snowflakes for your cat, these recipes add love to your holiday traditions.
SkyTails Connection
The holidays are a time for joy, celebration, and making memories with the ones we love, including our pets. But great holiday moments start with great year-round care. That’s where SkyTails, a savings account designed specifically for pet parents, makes all the difference.
SkyTails helps you set aside funds throughout the year so you’re always prepared for your pet’s needs, whether it’s routine checkups, grooming appointments, emergency visits, or seasonal treats and surprises. By planning, you can give your pet consistent care without financial stress, ensuring they stay healthy, happy, and ready to celebrate every holiday season with you.
#SkyTails#PetParents#DIYPetTreats#HolidayPets#HealthyPetsHappyHolidays#PetCareMadeEasy
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