Home Made Dog Treats
Homemade dog treats are a fun way to celebrate the holiday season with your pets. This time of year is filled with cooking, baking and gifting, so making your own dog treats can feel just as festive as preparing holiday favorites for family and friends. Not only are homemade treats thoughtful, but they also allow you to control the ingredients, which is especially helpful if your dog has food sensitivities.

Below, you will learn an easy, holiday-inspired recipe that uses simple ingredients from any grocery store. It is free from common allergens and flavored with safe seasonal ingredients that dogs love. You can bake these for your own pup, package them as homemade gifts or pair them with premium treats from our Dog Treats Collection to create a holiday treat bundle.

Why Make Holiday Dog Treats at Home?

Making homemade dog treats during the holidays gives you the chance to:
  • Control the ingredients
  • Avoid common allergens
  • Create personalized gifts for pet parents
  • Include your pets in holiday traditions
  • Add healthy, natural ingredients that support wellness
For dogs with food sensitivities, homemade treats can be much safer. Many store-bought treats contain wheat, chicken, soy, dairy or unnecessary preservatives. The recipe below avoids all of these.

Allergy-Friendly Holiday Dog Treat Recipe

Holiday Pumpkin and Oat Dog Cookies

This recipe is:

  • Wheat free

  • Dairy free

  • Soy free

  • Chicken free

  • Corn free

  • Made with ingredients found in any grocery store

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)

  • 2 cups oat flour (or blend rolled oats into a fine powder)

  • 1 egg or 1 tablespoon ground flax mixed with 3 tablespoons water

  • 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (must be xylitol free)

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional and used in very small amounts for flavor)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

  2. Combine pumpkin puree, peanut butter and your egg or flax mixture in a mixing bowl.

  3. Stir until smooth.

  4. Add oat flour slowly until a dough forms. The dough should feel slightly sticky but firm enough to roll.

  5. Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.

  6. Use holiday cookie cutters such as stars, snowflakes or gingerbread shapes to cut out treats.

  7. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking tray.

  8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes depending on your oven.

  9. Allow the treats to cool completely before serving.

These treats store well in the refrigerator for up to one week or can be frozen for longer storage.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Pet Parents

Homemade treats make excellent holiday gifts. You can package them in small mason jars, tie them with ribbon or add personalized tags with your dog's name. You can also mix these cookies with high-quality store-bought treats from the Natural Pet Warehouse Dog Treats Collection to create a festive gift basket.

Some ideas include:

  • A jar of homemade treats paired with natural jerky chews

  • A holiday tin filled with crunchy cookies and air-dried treats

  • A gift bag mixing your recipe with freeze-dried proteins

  • A stocking gift set featuring treats plus a new toy

This approach not only makes your gift stand out but also helps introduce friends and family to healthier treat options for their pets.

Tips for Safe Holiday Treat Making

  • Always use xylitol-free peanut butter

  • Keep portions small if your dog is trying a new ingredient

  • Introduce new treats slowly

  • Avoid spices like nutmeg which are unsafe for dogs

  • Never use artificial sweeteners

  • Check with your veterinarian if your dog has a medical condition

Cooking for your dog should be fun, safe and stress free. When in doubt, stick to simple recipes with short ingredient lists.

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is the perfect time to create special moments with your dog, and homemade treats are an easy way to share the joy. This allergy-friendly recipe keeps things simple while offering a festive experience your dog will love. Whether you are baking for fun, gifting to friends or supplementing your dog's snack collection, homemade treats pair perfectly with premium options from our curated Dog Treats Collection.