The best Christmas treats for your furry friends

Does your pet need to beat the year-end bulge (too)?

Are you looking for healthy alternatives to treat your furry friends this festive season?

Here’s a list of Christmas snacks treats for your favourite pooch:

Pets like sweet snacks too: Strawberries, watermelon, blueberries; the options are endless. See the infographic below for a list of super healthy alternatives to actual chocolate! Grapes, garlic and pitted fruits aren’t safe for consumption, so be sure to keep them away from your hungry hound.

‘Gourmutt’ peanut butter treats: Looking to make delicious treats for Buster in the comfort of your home? We’ve got you covered!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour.
• ¾ cup smooth peanut butter.
• ½ cup water.
• 2 tablespoons molasses.
• 2 tsp plain wheat germ.
• ¼ tsp sea salt.
• ¼ cup shredded dried beef, saved for top of cookies.

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375°.
2. In a pot on top of the stove, place your peanut butter, molasses, water, wheat germ and salt. Warm at medium heat.
3. Melt the ingredients together, whisking quickly.
4. Once melted and smooth, take the peanut butter mixture, which should now be nearly liquid, and put in a small bowl.
5. Measure your flour into a large mixing bowl, and fold in your liquid mixture slowly until your dough is soft. Be sure to have a well-floured board ready to go!
6. Once you have your dough mixed to the consistency you desire, turn it onto your floured board, roll it into a log shape. Place it in the refrigerator for two hours, until your dough is hard enough to slice into ¼-inch sections. If you are in a real rush, you can place it in the freezer for ½ hour until firm.
7. Have a cookie sheet ready to go, and spray it lightly with a non-stick spray.
8. Place your slice and bake cookies on the cookie sheet.
9. Put the dried beef in a blender or food processor to chop it.
10. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with your shredded, dried beef.
11. Bake for 25 minutes. Turn off the oven and let your cookies dry out as the oven cools down. This will make them hard and help keep them fresh. It will also bring out the flavor and make it more intense.
12. Once your cookies have completely cooled, it is time to place them in an air-tight container. You can either gift wrap them if you are giving them as a gift, or store them in your freezer up to three months until you are ready to serve them. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

* Recipe courtesy of Kelly Roper at dogs.lovetoknow.com.

Homemade dog biscuits (no doggie bag required): Who better than Martha Stewart to school you on the tastiest dog biscuits? Try the recipe below, and keep your pet happy and healthy!

Ingredients:

Makes about 5 dozen
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer’s yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more for brushing

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast, and salt; set aside
2. Place oil in a large bowl. Add stock and flour mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with stock. Mix well.
3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to about 3/8-inch thick. Shape biscuits using a dog-bone-shaped cookie cutter or by cutting around a store-bought dog bone with a butter knife.(Make biscuits that are appropriate for your dog’s size).
4. If desired, you can spell out your dog’s name or a holiday message in the dough with a toothpick (wet the toothpick first so it won’t stick).
5. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. Bake biscuits 10 minutes. Brush with stock; rotate baking sheets, and bake 10 minutes more. Turn off oven, leaving door closed. Let dog biscuits stand in oven to dry completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Wrap as a gift, or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

*Recipe courtesy of www.marthastewart.com.

Do you have any suggestions for delicious pet treats? Let us know in the comments below, and share the love this Christmas!

Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 072 435 7717.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:

Rekord East

Rekord North

Rekord Centurion

Rekord Moot

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.

• We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news updates.