Thanksgiving Treats Your Pets Will Gobble Up: Because They Deserve a Feast Too

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude, and that includes our pets.

At Claws and Paws Pet Sitting, we’ve been feeding our pets “people food” for their health since the ’90s, and we love finding ways to include them in the celebration safely.

Homemade, pet-friendly recipes are a great way to share the holiday spirit without risking tummy troubles. These simple recipes are a few of our favorites — delicious, healthy, and made with ingredients pets love.

Please note: These recipes are designed for dogs but can easily be adjusted for cats. Just skip the peanut butter and honey.

Ready to make something your pets will drool over? Here are a few holiday favorites straight from our kitchen.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Bites

Pumpkin is a delicious Thanksgiving staple, but it’s also one of our favorite healthy ingredients to feed pets. These pumpkin peanut butter bites give a fall twist to a classic doggy favorite, making them perfect for your pup’s Thanksgiving feast. Pumpkin is high in fiber, gentle on the stomach, and loaded with vitamins A, C, and E.

The peanut butter adds a boost of protein and healthy fats, while oats provide wholesome energy.

You will need:

• ½ cup canned pumpkin (unsweetened)
• ¼ cup natural peanut butter (no xylitol)
• 1 cup oat flour or rolled oats 

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients until it forms a dough.
2. Roll into small balls and flatten with a fork.
3. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
4. Cool completely before serving. 

These treats keep well in an airtight container for up to a week or can be frozen for longer. Perfect for keeping your pets busy while you cook.

Turkey and Sweet Potato Mash

The best part of Thanksgiving is the turkey, right? Your dog agrees — but before you share, be careful. Dogs shouldn’t have onions, garlic, butter, or heavy spices. This recipe gives them the joy of Thanksgiving without the risk.

You will need:

• ½ cup cooked turkey breast (plain, no bones or skin)
• ½ cup cooked sweet potato (plain)
• Splash of low-sodium chicken broth 

Directions:

1. Mash everything together until smooth.
2. Serve warm or chilled as a special meal topper.

Add a little pumpkin puree for extra fiber or moisture.

Frozen Cranberry Pup Pops

What’s Thanksgiving without cranberries? Here’s a recipe your dog will love, and it’s actually good for them too. Cranberries are packed with antioxidants that support urinary tract health and help fight inflammation. Yogurt adds probiotics for healthy digestion and a creamy texture pets adore. These pops are a festive way to include your pets in the holiday fun, especially if they prefer a cool treat.

You will need:

• ½ cup plain yogurt
• ¼ cup cranberries (fresh or frozen, unsweetened)
• Optional: a drizzle of honey (safe for dogs only; skip if making treats for cats) 

Directions:

1. Blend everything until smooth.
2. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
3. Serve as a frozen treat your pet will love. 

They’re great for a post-walk cool down or a quick snack while you’re cleaning up the kitchen.

Extra Holiday Tips for Pets

While treats are fun, a little care goes a long way to keep your pets happy and healthy through the holidays.

• Portion control matters — treats should be a bonus, not a meal.
• Introduce new foods slowly to avoid upset stomachs.
• Keep pets away from chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, cooked bones, and anything with xylitol.
• Give shy or anxious pets a quiet space during big gatherings so they feel safe.
• If traveling without your pets, book us to take care of them in their own home.

Giving Back This Thanksgiving

We love seeing pets spoiled at home, but not every pup is that lucky. That’s why we support Stuffed Pups, a heartwarming event from The Animal Pad that helps feed adoptable dogs this Thanksgiving.

If you’d like to make sure a homeless dog gets to enjoy Thanksgiving too, visit givebutter.com/stuffedpups.

Celebrate Your Pets This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving can get busy with travel, cooking, and guests, but we’re here to make sure your pets feel just as loved as ever. Whether you’re heading out of town or staying local, Claws and Paws Pet Sitting gives your pets the care and attention they deserve.

Book your visits early at ClawsandPawsPetSitting.com so your pets can enjoy a safe, happy holiday too.

And don’t forget to share your photos! We’d love to see your pets enjoying their Thanksgiving treats — tag us on social media so we can celebrate with you.

From all of us at Claws and Paws Pet Sitting Service, LLC, we wish you and your pets a happy, tail-wagging Thanksgiving!