It’s officially Cookie Exchange Day, and we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share some of our favorite recipes for our four-legged friends! If you know a dog, cat, or horse who loves the occasional treat, these recipes are the perfect way to show them some love this holiday season. If you are looking for a way to give back, making some treats to donate to your local animal rescue or shelter can be a super sweet way to help!
Pumpkin Banana Dog Treats
- 1 very ripe banana
- 1/2 can pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
To make the treats:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, using your hands, mix the banana, pumpkin and honey. Add flour and baking powder and work into a dough mixture. If it seems too wet, add a little bit more flour. It should be a dry dough. Roll this mixture out in a little flour and cut into desired shapes.
Place on a baking tray covered with parchment paper. Bake the treats for 10-12 minutes until they appear lightly golden.
Let the treats cool on a wire rack, then store them in a jar with a closed lid.
Save this photo from our non-profit BFF Animal Angel Aid for an easy reference to this recipe!
Tuna and Catnip Cat Cookies
Your finicky feline will love these cat cookies! They include some of a cat’s favorite flavors, such as tuna. Here’s what you’ll need to make these treats:
- 1 can of tuna (in water, NOT oil)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of fish or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of dried, crushed catnip
To make the treats:
Preheat the oven to 180°F.
Drain the tuna, crumble it well, and mix with the egg in a large bowl. Add the fish or olive oil and continue mixing to combine ingredients. Incorporate the catnip and flour, alternating until well mixed. When it is no longer liquid, knead the dough with your hands and form a compact ball. Let dough stand for 5 minutes.
Roll the mixture out to about 1/4″ thick and cut into desired shapes (that are a good size for cats!). Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-15 minutes. Baking time will depend on the desired texture of the cookie. For a soft treat, bake for less time. For a crunchy treat, bake longer. Let cool before offering to any of your feline friends!
Store these in an airtight container.
Save this photo from our non-profit BFF Animal Angel Aid for an easy reference to this recipe!
Horse Peppermint Kiss Treats
Horses love peppermint! Here’s what you need to get started on these treats:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
- 1 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots or apples
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 small, ripe banana (mashed) OR 1/2 cup applesauce (preferably sugar free)
- Peppermints or mini peppermint candy canes
To make these treats:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
Combine oats, flour, carrots or apples, molasses, and banana or applesauce in a large bowl and mix well. Spoon the cookie batter into balls and place evenly on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies begin to dry and crack on top.
While still warm and on the cookie sheet, push a peppermint into the top of each treat. Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes on cookie sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before sharing with horses.
Save this photo from our non-profit BFF Animal Angel Aid for an easy reference to this recipe!
