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Dog Cookie Recipes for the Holidays

By Colleen Williams
November 16, 2018 • 2 min. read
dog holiday cookies

Last updated Nov. 15, 2022

‘Tis the season for cookie exchanges and Christmas parties, so why not include your four-legged guests? A quick internet search will reveal a number of pet-friendly treat recipes, so there’s no shortage of options if you’re feeling inspired to bake for your furry four-legger this holiday season.

Just be sure to keep the human goodies out of paws’ reach: ingredients like xylitol, chocolate, raisins, and even nuts can be deadly to dogs.

Try making these dog cookie recipes for your own pup or for a HOWLiday party.

Candy Canes for Dogs

dog cookie recipes

These super cute candy canes are canine-safe! Homemade dog treats are free of unnatural coloring or sweeteners; you know exactly what’s going into your pup. This dog cookie recipe does contain eggs, milk, flour, and chicken. 

View candy cane dog treats recipe

Christmas Dog Treats

This recipe uses just 5 simple ingredients, one of which is peanut butter, so your pup is sure to go bonkers for these tasty treats. Use bone-shaped or holiday-shaped cookie cutters for a cute, festive-looking cookie.

View Christmas dog treats recipe

Classic Chip Cookies for Dogs

dog carob chip cookies

They may look and even smell like chocolate, but these chips are all carob. A dog-safe alternative to chocolate, carob is very similar to cacao – both are brown, edible beans that come from pods on ornamental shrubs. Some claim carob chips are slightly less sweet than their chocolate counterparts, but that’s probably better for pups. This dog cookie recipe contains eggs, but uses rice and oat flour!

View carob chip cookie recipe

Gluten-Free Doggie Paw-print Cookies

dog cookie recipes

A twist on the human thumbprint cookie, these homemade dog treats are delectable with the addition (again) of melted carob. Rice flour makes the cookies gluten-free, while pumpkin and peanut butter add creamy texture. They also double as dog breath mints, thanks to the addition of parsley and bacteria-killing cinnamon. This dog cookie recipe is vegan and gluten-free!

View gluten-free paw print cookie recipe

Peppermint Puppy Cookies

dog cookie recipes

Peppermint extract is the key ingredient in this dog cookie recipe, freshening bad dog breath. Apples and bananas are nutritious and add sweetness to this homemade dog treat recipe. Flaxseed, whole wheat flour, and oats make for plenty of fiber in these treats.

View peppermint cookie recipe

Cranberry Dog Treats

Some dogs aren’t cranberry fans, so make sure to test them out before you make a batch! Diabetic pets or those with other limitations should avoid this recipe, as it’s a little on the sugary side. This can be a gluten-free dog treat recipe if you substitute a gluten-free flour blend. These treats do contain eggs.

View cranberry dog treats recipe

colleen williams
By Colleen Williams

Over the past decade, Colleen has written about health, wellness, beauty, and even pets for The New York Times, The Cut, Refinery29, xoVain, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, and Seattle Met Magazine, as well as many beauty brands. She has a BFA in Art History from the University of New Mexico and an AAS in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design in New York.

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