Festive Feasts: Holiday Meals for Your Four-Legged Family Members

Health & Wellness, Holidays, WagBreeze Life

photograph of a dog nose sniffing healthy dog food recipes displayed on a charcuterie board

Written by Dawn Guidry | Photography by Sydney Bassett

You can prepare a holiday feast for your dog that is both safe and healthy. Cooking for your dogs can be fun. The rule of thumb is to keep it simple, use healthy ingredients, and avoid processed foods.

All of the following recipes are dog and people-friendly, even though the flavors will be bland for people.

Recipes can be made ahead, though some may need warming or thawing. Feeding amounts should be adjusted to your dog’s size.

Photograph of Dog-Harmony's "Barkuterie" (charcuterie) board recipe for dogs

Barkuterie Board

Keep this one simple by purchasing your dogs’ favorite treats from your local dog store.

Suggested Ingredients

  • Fresh Carrots and Apple Slices (remove core and seeds)
  • Sam’s Yams Sweet Potato Treats
  • The Honest Kitchen Liver Chips
  • The Honest Kitchen Goat’s Milk Pumpkin Cinnamon Cookies
  • Freeze-Dried Chicken or Turkey Necks, Duck Hearts, Duck Feet

Instructions

Arrange compiled ingredients in a visually pleasing way.

Turkey Meatloaf *

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Ground Turkey, lean
  • 1 cup Brown Rice, cooked
  • ½ cup Spinach, chopped
  • ¼ cup Carrots, grated
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tbsp Parsley Flakes
  • Tomato Paste (enough to cover the top of the meatloaf)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray. Mix the first five ingredients together in a medium bowl. Spoon and press the mixture into a loaf pan. Top with tomato paste and sprinkle with parsley. Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool before cutting or serving. Leftovers should be refrigerated.

* This recipe can also be rolled into meatballs. Bake them on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet for 15 to 20 minutes.

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Yum

Ingredients

  • 1 Sweet Potato
  • 1/4 cup Unsweetened Coconut
  • 1/4 cup Pecans or Walnuts, chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°. Poke holes in the sweet potato with a fork. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until soft. Then remove it from the oven and let it cool. Once the potato is cool enough to handle, peel and mash it. Top with coconut and nuts, and serve.

Breakfast Scramble

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp fresh Spinach, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh Tomato, chopped
  • 1 tbsp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • Olive Oil for cooking

Instructions

Beat the eggs and set aside— feel free to add a couple of tablespoons of water for fluffiness. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a small, non-stick skillet. Add the spinach and tomato to a skillet and cook until soft— about two to three minutes. Add the eggs and scramble continuously until cooked through— about one to two minutes. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Let cool before serving.

Cranberry Carob Ice Cream

Ingredients

  • 16 oz Plain Yogurt
  • 1 Banana
  • ½ cup Dried Cranberries, chopped
  • 1 oz Unsweetened Carob Chips, chopped
  • 1 tbsp Honey

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a medium mixing bowl. Using KitchenAid or hand mixer, mix all of the ingredients together until well blended, and pour into popsicle molds, ice cubes, or Dixie cups with popsicle sticks. Thaw for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Foods to Avoid

When crafting the perfect meal for your pup, remember there are also many holiday foods you should not be feeding your pet. Here are a few of our suggestions on what to avoid:**

  • Cooked Bones
  • Fatty Meat
  • Chocolate
  • Sugar or Sugar Substitutes (Watch for Xylitol)
  • Alcohol
  • Added Salt
  • Processed Deli Meats
  • Grapes/Raisins
  • Apple Core & Seeds
  • Most Nuts
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Yeast
  • Chips, Crackers, Cereal
  • Raw Dough

**This is not a complete list, so when in doubt, it’s best to ask your veterinarian.