Winters is all about being in a festive mood! Even after December has gone by, we’re all still recovering from the cosy holiday season! The smell of freshly baked cakes and cookies still linger in our memories and remind us of Christmas celebrations with friends, family and pets even after it’s over.
But while we have delicious food on our table, we often cannot share it with our pets. Now, don’t they also deserve to get in the festive mood and relish some tasty pet-friendly treats too? They absolutely do!
Our pets are special. Not only because they are our family but also because unlike us, they can’t gobble down every food item. Some foods like raisins, chocolates and certain fruits like grapes are toxic for pets. That’s why they can’t eat those chocolate cookies and sip wine from our glasses.
Dr Tikeshwar, Veterinary Officer at Wiggles said,
You can easily include your pet in festivities by making special treats for them but it is important to ensure that your pet is not allergic to any of the ingredients you’re using.
Here are a few easy DIY festive recipes for treats shared by Dr Tikeshwar that your pets can enjoy!
1. Gingerbread Cookies: Doggo Version
This adored Christmas treat must be shared with our pets but only if it is safe for them. Here’s how you can make gingerbread cookies for your dogs.
Ingredients
Whole wheat flour – 1 and a ½ cup
Oat flour – 1 and ½ cup
Baking powder – ½ tsp
Ground ginger – 1 tbsp
Turmeric – ⅓ tsp
Ground cinnamon – 1 tsp
Pinch of ground clove
Molasses – ¼ cup
Applesauce – ¾ cup
Egg – 1
Vanilla extract – ¼ tsp
Coconut oil – 1 tbsp
Instructions
Step 1: First, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Now, combine all the dry ingredients i.e. the flours, baking powder and spices in a big bowl.
Step 3: Now add the applesauce and molasses and mix them thoroughly.
Step 4: Proceed to add the egg, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Add more flour if needed.
Step 5: Sprinkle some flour and roll out your gingerbread dough on a flat surface.
Step 6: Grab some cute gingerbread man cookie cutters and cut out the dough.
Step 7: Bake the cookies at 350°F for 20 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. The gingerbread cookies are ready to be gobbled down!
2. Pumpkin Puppuccinos
Our pets too, deserve a yummy drink that can make them feel happy and warm on the inside during the winters. Making pumpkin puppuccinos is super easy, takes less than 10 minutes to make and even lesser to slurp it all up!
Ingredients
Nonfat plain yoghurt – 1 cup
Pumpkin puree – ¼ cup
Cooked rice – 1 cup
Plain roasted oats – 2 tbsp
Fat-free whipped cream – ¼ cup
Ground cinnamon – ¼ tsp
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the yoghurt, pumpkin puree, plain oats and rice in a blender until you get a smoothie kind of consistency.
Step 2: Garnish it with whipped cream and cinnamon. Serve immediately and watch your pet lick away every bit of it!
Pro tip: This recipe makes for a cute social media video too!
3. Muffins For Cats
Couldn’t share your Christmas dinner with the cat but you can make one just for them! These irresistible muffins of goodness and taste are the perfect meal for cats to make them feel special and show how much you love them.
Ingredients
Boiled chicken – 170g
Eggs – 3
Boiled carrot – 1
Green peas (defrosted if using frozen) – 20g
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°F or 180°F.
Step 2: Cut or shred the boiled chicken.
Step 3: Lightly whisk the eggs into a bowl. Then add the chicken and vegetables and mix it all well.
Step 4: Get a muffin tray and carefully pour the mixture in each section until it’s 3 quarters full. Filling up to the brim will make the mixture spill over.
Step 5: Put the tray in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and put a skewer through the muffins, if it comes out clean; it’s good to go! Let the muffins cool down and offer them to your cat. And that’s it! Your cat’s festive meal is ready to be devoured.
We hope these DIY festive treats are loved by your pets and help you include your pet in the festivities!
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