Cranberry Pumpkin Christmas Dog Treat Recipe

I love the holidays – everything about them fills me with merriment and feelings of fa la la. I especially love baking, because the house smells so wonderful while the cookies are in the oven. And the same goes for baking treats for Oscar and his doggy friends. This Cranberry Pumpkin Christmas Dog Treat Recipe had Oscar staring at the oven until they were ready to come out.

Makes about 50 medium-sized cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of flour (white or whole wheat)

1 1/2 cups of oatmeal flour (run regular oatmeal through the food processor and grind fine)

1 cup of dried cranberries

1 cup of pureed pumpkin

2 eggs

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, crack 2 eggs and beat for about 1 minute (you can use a stand or hand mixer if you have them. If not, hand-powered is fine.) Add pureed pumpkin and peanut butter. Mix until creamy.
3. Add flours and cranberry to the mix. Stir and knead until a stiff dough is formed.
4. Flour your work surface and roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness. Use holiday shapes to cut out festive cookies, and place on cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Take out of oven and let cool on cooling racks for 3-4 hours. Store in air tight bags/containers in fridge or freezer.

A traditional holiday flavor, cranberries are often found in recipes at this time of year. However, they offer more than a seasonal taste that your dog can look forward to each Christmas! Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, this simple red berry is actually a smart choice in terms of your dog’s health. They work to improve your dog’s immune system, decrease any inflammation in the body, boost bladder health, fight bacteria, and reduce the buildup of tartar and plaque for better oral health. This low-calorie treat is high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. The fiber alone works to lower your dog’s risk of diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.

As with any other treat, don’t overdo it with the cranberries. Treats should always be offered in moderation. It should also be noted that not all cranberry options are created equal when it comes to your pup. Feeding your dog raw, cooked, or dried cranberries on their own or in a recipe is okay, however, you should avoid any cranberry juices or cranberry sauces. These products are high in sugar, which should be avoided, and a longer ingredient list to consider. Many of the ingredients may be unsafe or even harmful for dog to consume.

I’m planning on giving these treats away in little holiday bags for all of Oscar’s buddies and for people at the office. They’ll make a yummy and affordable Christmas present for all the pooches on your list!