Dog Christmas Dinner: Christmas-Inspired Recipes for Dogs

Christmas already gives us plenty to share with our dogs, from winter walks to curling up on the sofa for the hundredth rewatch of The Grinch. We love taking ours round a dog-friendly Christmas market too, if you fancy making a day of it. And of course, a dog Christmas dinner is part of that too, a plate of their own safe roast alongside the family's, plus festive treats made just for them, from lick mats and slow feeder meals to treat dispenser recipes and homemade biscuits.

We humans get to enjoy so many delicious treats at Christmas, so putting together a dog Christmas dinner is a simple way to make your pup feel just as spoiled as the rest of the family. On the day itself, feed any special meal in their own bowl, keep portions small, and serve it alongside their regular food instead of swapping it out completely.

You might not think it, but your dog knows when you've put in the effort to find them something they'll love. They pick up on the work that's gone into making something homemade, whether that's baking a batch of Christmas dog treats from scratch or filling up their favourite treat dispenser with festive goodies.

Making your own recipes does more than give you something to bond over, since it lets you control exactly what's going into your dog's treats too. Keep festive foods like chocolate, grapes and raisins well away from them, since these are harmful to dogs. That way, you know exactly what your dog's eating, and you can tailor treats to their own tastes, whether they're a turkey fanatic or can't resist a dollop of peanut butter.

With all that in mind, we've put together a full guide on how to prepare a dog Christmas dinner, covering what's safe off your own plate plus our favourite lick mat, treat, slow feeder and dispenser recipes to go alongside it. So grab your apron, dig out any Christmas-shaped cookie cutters you've got (bonus points for a bone or a tree), and let's get started.

With so much food lying around at Christmas, it's easy for a dog to get hold of something they shouldn't, either off an unattended plate or out of a stocking stuffed with selection boxes. And a well-meaning guest slipping them a bit of their dinner just adds to the risk. Several of the foods that turn up on a typical Christmas table are real dangers for dogs, so make sure you know exactly what needs to stay out of reach before the day gets going.

• Chocolate: Found in selection boxes, yule logs and chocolate coins, chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs can't break down the way we can. Even a small amount can cause vomiting, a racing heart or seizures.
• Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas: These turn up everywhere at Christmas, in mince pies, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding, and even a small amount can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Onion and garlic: Common in stuffing, gravy and pigs in blankets, both damage a dog's red blood cells and can lead to anaemia.
• Macadamia nuts: Often hiding in a tin of mixed nuts or a box of chocolates, these can cause weakness, vomiting and tremors in dogs, even in small quantities.
• Alcohol: Mulled wine, Baileys and Christmas cocktails are all off-limits. Alcohol affects a dog's liver and nervous system much faster than it does ours.
• Blue cheese: Blue and other veined cheeses contain a mould-produced toxin dogs are especially sensitive to, so keep the cheeseboard out of paw's reach.
• Cooked bones: Turkey and other poultry bones turn brittle once cooked and can splinter, causing choking or serious internal injuries.
• Fatty leftovers: Turkey skin, gravy, goose fat and pigs in blankets are all rich enough to trigger pancreatitis in dogs, even as a one-off treat.
• Nutmeg: Common in Christmas pudding, mulled wine and eggnog, nutmeg contains a toxin that can cause seizures and hallucinations in dogs in large enough amounts.

Once you know what to avoid, putting together a Christmas dinner your dog can eat is easier than it sounds. The trick is keeping everything plain, since it's the seasoning, salt, butter and gravy that cause the problems, not the turkey and veg themselves. A few plain basics, served in their own bowl, gives your dog their own spot at the table without any of the risk above.

• Plain turkey: Skinless, boneless and with no salt, stuffing or seasoning, a few small pieces of white or dark meat work well as the base of the plate.
• Carrots and parsnips: Steamed or boiled with nothing added, both are safe and easy for your dog to eat, whether shredded raw or cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Green beans and peas: Plain and unsalted, these bulk out the plate without adding many calories.
• Brussels sprouts: Safe in small amounts, just chop them up first, since a whole sprout is a choking risk for smaller dogs.
• Mashed potato or swede: Fine as long as it's plain, with no butter, salt or milk mixed in.
• A few fresh cranberries: Unsweetened and in small amounts only, since cranberry sauce itself is usually too high in sugar to give.
• Plain scrambled egg: Made without salt or butter, a spoonful on the side adds a bit of extra protein.

Lick mat recipes for dogs are a fun and easy way to keep your pup happy and distracted this holiday season. They’re not only super simple to create, but they’re tasty and with all those tiny grooves and crevices, you can be sure it’ll be a long lasting one for when you need to get on with other Christmas related tasks!

What You’ll Need

• A lick mat (like the SodaPup Christmas Tree Enrichment Lick Mat)
• Turkey, Parsnip, and Cranberry Furr Boost Dog Drink
• Food Toppers for dogs (like the COYA freeze-dried toppers)
• A fresh parsnip

Instructions

1. Place your lick mat on a flat surface.
2. Pour the Turkey, Parsnip, and Cranberry Furr Boost Dog Drink evenly over the lick mat, ensuring it fills the grooves.
3. Sprinkle a generous layer of the dog food topper across the drink to add texture and crunch when frozen.
4. Finely shave fresh parsnip over the top for an extra festive flair and nutritional boost.
5. If you have any leftover turkey hanging around, feel free to add a little, but only if it's unsalted, lean turkey meat that's fully cooked, boneless and with the skin removed, with no seasoning or oil.
6. Place the lick mat in the freezer for 1-2 hours to set.
7. Once frozen, serve to your pup and watch them enjoy every lick and crunch!

A nice combination of Christmas and autumnal flavours, this Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Lick Mat Recipe is packed with fibre and prebiotics. While pumpkin supports healthy digestion, the peanut butter provides a tasty source of protein and healthy fats. Plus, it’s one of the easiest lick mat recipes for dogs to make!

What You’ll Need

• A lick mat
• Any dog-safe peanut butter
• Pumpkin powder supplement
• Fresh pumpkin pulp (optional)

Instructions

1. Place your lick mat on a flat surface.
2. Spread a layer of dog-safe peanut butter evenly across the lick mat, filling the grooves.
3. Sprinkle a tablespoon of Pumpkin Pre-Probiotic Puree Powder over the peanut butter layer.
4. (Optional) Add small spoonfuls of fresh pumpkin pulp on top for added texture and nutrition.
5. Give to your dog as is or place the lick mat in the freezer for 1-2 hours to set for a longer lasting treat.

If your dog's trying pumpkin, or this combination, for the first time, introduce it gradually to help avoid any digestive upset.

Making homemade Christmas treat recipes for dogs is a fun and rewarding way to celebrate the holidays with your furry friend. It also means you can control exactly what's going in, sticking to plain, unseasoned ingredients and skipping the preservatives and additives store-bought treats often have. It’s also a chance to bond as you create something special just for them, and your pup will love the extra attention and care. Plus, it’s guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing!

Another fun and festive Christmas recipe for dogs is this recipe for Beetroot Christmas Candy Canes. These colourful treats are not only adorable but also packed with health benefits. Beetroot is rich in antioxidants and supports heart health, while wholemeal flour provides fibre for digestion.

What You’ll Need

• 60ml vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 225ml water
• 350g wholemeal flour
• 30g powdered milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tsp beetroot powder (or juice from cooked beetroot)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, egg, and water.
2. In another bowl, mix the flour and powdered milk. Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients, kneading the dough for 2-3 minutes.
3. Divide the dough into two bowls. Add vanilla extract to one half and beetroot powder to the other, kneading until evenly mixed. Chill both doughs in the fridge for 1 hour.
4. Roll small sections of each dough into long, thin strands. Twist one vanilla strand with one beetroot strand to form a candy cane shape.
5. Place on a lined baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4 for 12-15 minutes.
6. Cool completely before serving to your pup.

Another way to spoil your pup with some holiday goodies is by following this recipe for Peanut Butter Christmas Pudding Cookies. Made with wholesome ingredients like oats for digestion and peanut butter for healthy fats, these treats are both delicious and nutritious. With their yogurt "sauce" and cranberry topping, they look just like Christmas puddings too!

What You’ll Need

• 140g self-raising wholemeal flour
• 25g rolled oats
• 100g dog-safe peanut butter
• 1.5 tbsp runny honey
• 1 medium egg
• 40ml cold water
• 50g low-fat Greek yogurt
• 30 dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan/gas mark 5) and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour and oats in a bowl. In a separate jug, whisk together peanut butter, honey, egg, and water.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until a stiff dough forms. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 4mm thickness and cut out 30 rounds with a 5cm cutter. Arrange cookies on the trays.
4. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Mix yogurt and honey, then pipe or spoon onto each cookie to resemble "sauce." Top with a dried cranberry.
6. Store undecorated cookies in an airtight tin, decorating just before serving to keep them fresh.

Filling up your dog’s slow feeder bowl is another great way to give them a tasty treat and plenty of enrichment around the holidays. Slow feeders encourage your pup to eat at a healthy pace while keeping them mentally stimulated. Plus, if guests are eating nearby, serving any special Christmas meal in your dog's own bowl keeps things calm, and it helps to ask guests not to slip them extra table food while they've got their own dinner to get through. By using festive recipes for dogs, you can combine delicious flavours with fun textures to make mealtime extra special.

Just like us, our dogs love pork and potato! This Pork & Sweet Potato Dinner recipe combines both and is perfect for serving in a slow feeder. Pork is a great source of protein and amino acids to support muscle health, while sweet potato is packed with fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants that aid digestion and overall health. This is one of those recipes for dogs that’s simple, festive, and sure to be a hit.

What You’ll Need

• A slow feeder bowl (like this Christmas Pine Tree Slow Feeder Bowl)
• Pork, Sweet Potato, and Apple Furr Boost Dog Drink
• Freeze-Dried Raw Pork
• Steamed and mashed sweet potato
• Leftover pork without oil or seasoning (optional)

Instructions

1. Place the Christmas Pine Tree Slow Feeder Bowl on a flat surface.
2. Break up the Coya Freeze-Dried Raw Pork Dog Food into small pieces and scatter them across the grooves of the feeder.
3. Pour the Pork, Sweet Potato, and Apple Furr Boost Dog Drink over the top, allowing it to soak into the food for added flavour and moisture.
4. For an extra festive twist, add small dollops of steamed and mashed sweet potato or bits of plain leftover pork. Be sure these extras are free from oil, seasoning, or spices.
5. Serve once cool and watch your dog enjoy their enriching and delicious Christmas feast!

Perfect for Christmas, and all year round, this Peanut Butter & Berry Dessert recipe is a sweet treat for your pup while you’re enjoying dipping into the box of Celebrations or unbuttoning your jeans for your second helping of Christmas pudding. Peanut butter is full of healthy fats and protein while strawberries and blackberries provide essential vitamins like vitamin C and antioxidants. It’s why it’s one of our personal favourite recipes for dogs.

What You’ll Need

• A slow feeder
• Few tablespoons of natural or Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp dog-safe peanut butter
• A handful of strawberries and blueberries
• Optional: Some banana slices and treats

Instructions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the yogurt and peanut butter until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into your slow feeder, spreading it evenly to fill the grooves.
3. Sprinkle on top the strawberries and blackberries
4. Optional: Add extra banana slices on top or sprinkle some dog treats for added texture and flavour.
5. Place the slow feeder in the freezer for a few hours to set.
6. Once frozen, serve to your dog and let them enjoy their tasty, long-lasting treat!

Last but certainly not least, we’ve whipped up some treat dispenser recipes for dogs. These are another fantastic way to keep your pup entertained and mentally stimulated during the holiday season, especially when things get busy with guests and friends. These interactive dog toys encourage slower eating and problem-solving, which can help with digestion and prevent overeating. And using recipes for dogs in treat dispensers makes mealtime more fun and enriching, especially when you need a quiet moment to crack on with Christmas preparations.

Is there any better pairing at Christmas than turkey and cranberry? We think not. And thankfully, these are two tasty treats your dogs can enjoy too! With this Turkey & Cranberry KONG Recipe, we’ve combined high protein turkey with cranberries, a source of antioxidants for your pup. It’s another one of our favourite recipes for dogs for keeping them happy and healthy. If you want to add extra moisture, skip standard gravy or stock, since granule-based gravy is high in salt and unsafe for dogs

What You’ll Need

• A KONG suited to your pup's size
• Dog-safe Turkey Pâté
• Small Training Treats
• WOOOF Pizzles Bully Stick

Instructions

1. Begin by stuffing the Kong with a generous amount of dog-safe pâté. Make sure it’s packed in there to keep your dog engaged.
2. Scatter some small training treats on top or layer them with the pate.
3. Place one or two – depending on your dog’s size - WOOOF Pizzles Bully Sticks into the soft batter.
4. For a longer-lasting treat, you can freeze the stuffed Kong for a few hours. Alternatively, serve it as is for an immediate festive snack!

Finally, why not whip up your pup a delicious Christmas-inspired recipe like this Turkey & Mushroom Treat Dispenser Recipe. Our dogs don’t get to try mushrooms very often, but it has several immune-boosting benefits to help keep them healthy. And of course, the turkey helps support their bones and joints – and is just incredibly tasty.

What You’ll Need

• A treat dispenser
• Turkey Dog Treat Paste
• Freeze-Dried Turkey Dog Food
• Dog food topper
• Optional: added fruit and vegetables like green beans and raspberries

Instructions

1. Begin by filling your treat dispenser with a generous layer of Turkey Dog Treat Paste.
2. Break up the Coya Freeze-Dried Turkey Dog Food into small pieces and stuff them into the dispenser around the treat paste.
3. Sprinkle a small amount of your chosen food topper on the turkey to add an immune-boosting benefit and extra flavour.
4. Add any extras on top, such as green beans, raspberries, carrot, Brussels sprouts and blueberries, cut into small, dog-friendly pieces for added nutritional value.
5. Close the treat dispenser and give it to your dog to enjoy. You can even freeze it for a longer-lasting treat.

There's no need to overthink portions, but it helps to think about your dog's normal dinner size rather than what you’d plate up for yourself. A Christmas dinner for your dog should sit alongside or replace part of their usual meal and not stack on top of it, especially once you add stocking treats and everyone's "just one bit" into the mix.

• Small dogs (up to around 10kg): A couple of tablespoons of plain turkey and vegetables is plenty, roughly the size of their usual portion.
• Medium dogs (around 10-25kg): A small handful of turkey with a similar amount of vegetables works well, scaled up a little from their normal meal.
• Large dogs (25kg and over): A slightly bigger portion is fine, but keep it roughly the same size as what they'd normally eat in one sitting, just made up of Christmas ingredients instead.

These are starting points, not exact rules, since every dog's normal diet and activity level is different. If your dog has any health conditions or is on a special diet, your vet's the best person to ask before Christmas Day.

Factor in everything else on offer that day too because between a full Christmas dinner plate and any of the lick mats, Kongs or treat dispensers from earlier in this list, it adds up fast. It’s best to just pick one or two for the day itself and save the rest for another. As a general guide, vets recommend keeping treats and extras to around 10% of your dog's daily food, with their normal meals making up the rest.

If your dog does get hold of something they shouldn't over Christmas, don't wait around to see if it passes. Keep an eye out for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, a wobbly walk or tremors, since any of these can be a sign something's wrong.

They don't always show up straight away either, and some can take a day or two to appear depending on what's been eaten. If you notice any of these, call your vet as soon as possible or your nearest emergency vet if it's out of hours, since Christmas Day and Boxing Day are two of the busiest times of year for exactly this kind of call.

When you do, have as much information ready as you can including what they ate, roughly how much, and when they ate it, along with any packaging, so your vet knows exactly what they're dealing with. And as tempting as it might be, don’t try to make your dog sick yourself, since some things cause more damage coming back up than staying down.

Putting together a dog Christmas dinner is about more than just the food, it's about giving your dog their own place in the celebrations. Give them a full plate alongside your own, one of the lick mat, homemade treat, slow feeder or dispenser recipes from earlier in this guide, or a bit of both, and your dog ends up with their own Christmas dinner.

Beyond the food itself, treats like these give your dog some mental stimulation and take the edge off a chaotic day, with the bonus of knowing exactly what's gone into them compared to anything shop-bought. Every recipe here is easy to make your own too, so don't feel like you have to follow any of them exactly. Just double-check any extra ingredients you add against the toxic foods list above, since a few Christmas staples, like stuffing, cooked bones and anything fizzy, are best left off your dog's plate altogether.

So if you're ready to give your dog's Christmas the same treatment as everyone else's, explore WOOOF's full range of festive treats, chew-worthy toys and accessories.

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