Simple, safe, and festive recipes your dog will love

The holidays are busy enough. You shouldn’t need fancy equipment, complicated steps, or rare ingredients to spoil your pup. These recipes are quick, budget-friendly, and made with dog-safe foods you probably already have at home. Perfect for last-minute treats, gifting to fellow dog parents, or adding a little extra magic to your dog’s holiday season.

🎄 Before You Start: Safety Basics

A few rules to keep every recipe dog-friendly:

• No chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, xylitol, nutmeg, or alcohol
  
  

• Use unsweetened ingredients (like natural peanut butter without xylitol)
  
  

• Introduce new foods slowly, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs
  
  

• Adjust sizes based on your dog’s breed and chewing habits

1. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Snowballs

Ingredients

• ½ cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
  
  

• 1 cup oat flour (or blend regular oats)
  
  

• 2–3 tbsp plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt
  
  

Instructions

1. Mix peanut butter and coconut yogurt.
   
   

2. Slowly add oat flour until you get a dough you can roll.
   
   

3. Roll into small “snowballs.”
   
   

4. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours to firm up.
   
   

Storage

Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 2 months.

2. Festive Apple & Cinnamon Bites (No Bake)

Ingredients

• 1 medium apple, grated (no seeds)
  
  

• 1 cup oats
  
  

• 1 tbsp unsweetened peanut butter
  
  

• Pinch of cinnamon
  
  

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
   
   

2. Scoop small portions and press into bite-sized rounds.
   
   

3. Chill for 1–2 hours to firm.
   
   

Why Dogs Love It

Apples add fiber and natural sweetness without added sugar.

3. On-the-road Sweet Potato Chew Strips

Ingredients

• 1 large sweet potato
  
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 120°C / 250°F.
   
   

2. Slice sweet potato lengthwise into 1 cm (⅜ inch) strips.
   
   

3. Bake on a parchment-lined tray for 2–3 hours, flipping halfway.
   
   

4. Cool completely before serving.
   
   

You can bake them for shorter or longer periods depending on if you want to make soft or hard chews :) 

Pelsbarn Tip

Make them extra festive by: 

Cinnamon Dusting (tiny pinch) → warm, festive, fully dog-safe

Star- or tree-shaped slices → use small cookie cutters before baking

Drizzle with puréed cranberry (unsweetened) after baking → subtle festive color

Storage

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

4. Frozen Cranberry & Banana Holiday Bites

Perfect for dogs who get warm inside during holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
  
  

• ½ cup plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt
  
  

• 2 tbsp unsweetened cranberries, chopped (or cranberry purée)
  
  

Instructions

1. Mash banana.
   
   

2. Stir in coconut yogurt and cranberries.
   
   

3. Spoon into an ice cube tray or onto a baking sheet in small dollops.
   
   

4. Freeze until solid.
   
   

Why They’re Great

Cranberries support urinary health and add a festive color.

5. Gingerbread Dog Cookies (No Mixer Required)

A holiday classic minus the nutmeg and sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups oat flour
  
  

• 1 egg
  
  

• 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
  
  

• 1 tbsp honey (optional, for dogs over 1 year old)
  
  

• ½ tsp ginger
  
  

• ½ tsp cinnamon
  
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
   
   

2. Mix all ingredients into a workable dough.
   
   

3. Roll out on a floured surface (use oat flour).
   
   

4. Cut into shapes (stars, bones, gingerbread pups).
   
   

5. Bake 12–15 minutes, until firm and lightly golden.
   
   

Storage

Up to 10 days in an airtight container.

❄️ Bonus: Holiday “Puppuccino”

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt
  
  

• 1–2 tbsp warm water
  
  

• ½–1 tsp unsweetened coconut cream (the thick part from a coconut milk can)
  
  

• Optional garnish: a tiny sprinkle of dog-safe cinnamon or a mini dog biscuit on top
  
  

Instructions

1. Whisk coconut yogurt with warm water until it becomes silky and pourable.
   
   

2. Add the coconut cream and whisk again — this gives it that true “latte foam” texture.
   
   

3. Pour into a small cup or espresso-style mug.
   
   

4. Garnish with a tiny pinch of cinnamon or place a mini biscuit on top for the photo.

🎁 Holiday Treat Gifting Ideas

• Fill a jar with Snowballs and add a ribbon.
  
  

• Add Sweet Potato Chews to a kraft bag with a handwritten label.
  
  

• Make a trio-sampler box for fellow dog parents.
  
  

• Pair treats with a Pelsbarn bed, blanket or car bed for the ultimate holiday gift.
  
  

Wrapping Up

You don’t need baking skills or special equipment to make delicious, dog-safe holiday treats. With simple ingredients and a few minutes, you can bring festive joy to your pup and create adorable, shareable moments along the way.