Homemade Winter Recipes for Dogs, Cats and Pocket Pets
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian,
Nothing beats the winter blues quite like homemade comfort foods. So why should this be any different for our furry companions?
Keep your pet warm this winter with these hearty and nutritious winter-inspired pet friendly treats. All vet approved, choose from recipes such as a wholesome chicken congee, a delicious brunch omelette, warming winter drinks and much more. There are even homemade treats for your pocket pets!
Spend some quality time with your pet this winter, whipping up these delicious homemade treats to warm them up and spoil them!
Recipes:
- Salmon, Zucchini and Cheese Brunch Omelette
- Winter Warming Drinks
- Chicken Congee
- Paw-some Blueberry Biscuits
- Tuna Bites
- Sweet Potato Chews
- Healthy West Paw Stuffers
- Pocket Pet Treats
- olive oil spray
- 1/2 medium zucchini, grated
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 50g tinned salmon in springwater, boneless and skinless
- 2 tbsp grated cheese (cheddar, parmesan or mozzarella)
- 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast Flakes (can be purchased from most leading supermarkets)
- Heat a small non-stick pan. Spray with a little olive oil and sauté zucchini for 1-2 minutes until cooked
- Add the egg mix to the pan and gently fork through until it begins to set
- Add the flaked salmon and grated cheese to one half
- Using a spatula fold one side of the omelette into the centre, tilt the pan and fold over the other side
- Slide onto serving plate and allow to cool
- Sprinkle with Nutritional Yeast Flakes before serving
- Dogs
- Cats
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1-2 grams of Instinctive Bite Bone Broth Concentrate or low salt Chicken Stock Concentrate
- 1-2 teaspoons of KONG Cat Naturals Catnip or fresh catnip leaves
- Add the dried or fresh catnip to a tea infuser
- Add the Bone Broth Concentrate to the hot water and mix to dissolve.
- Pour the broth mixture over the catnip and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes
- Allow to cool to lukewarm before serving (can include leaves)
- Serve with Trouble and Trix Milky Hearts for an extra treat
- Cats
- 2 cups of K9 Natural Lactose Free Milk or coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons carob powder (can be purchased from your local health food store)
- Add milk and carob powder to a saucepan
- Heat gently and whisk until bubbly
- Allow to cool before serving
- Sprinkle with additional powder and serve with Mimi and Munch Peanut Butter Dipper Bones
- Dogs
- 3/4 cup of jasmine rice
- 400g of chicken, thigh or breast, fat removed
- 8 cups of water
- 10g fresh ginger, finely sliced or grated
- 1 tsp Instinctive Bite Bone Broth Concentrate or low salt Chicken Stock Concentrate
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp warm water
- 1 tbsp low salt soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Instinctive Bite Bone Broth Concentrate or low salt Chicken Stock Concentrate
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Wash rice in a bowl 3 times until the water runs clear
- Slice the chicken and place in a bowl. Add the soy sauce (1 tbsp), water (2 tbsps), cornflour (2 tsp) and Instinctive Bite Bone Broth Concentrate (1/2 tsp). Mix and massage the chicken to coat. Once mixed add the vegetable oil (2 tbsp) and then massage to coat.
- Place water in a large pot and bring to the boil. Add the rice and stir. Cover and cook on a medium heat for approx 25 minutes
- After 25 minutes check the rice. When it is soft and cooked through, whisk the rice mixture for 2-3 minutes on medium heat to break down the rice pieces
- Set the stove to a high heat and add the marinaded chicken slowly, a little at a time, stirring constantly
- Stir for another 2 minutes until chicken is cooked through
- Add fresh ginger and Instinctive Bite Bone Broth Concentrate (1 tsp) and stir to combine
- Cool and then it is ready to serve!
- Dogs
- Cats
- 2 cups plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tsp butter or margarine
- 3/4 cup K9 Natural Lactose Free Milk or lactose free milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
- Preheat oven to 200 °C
- Mix flour and baking powder together. Add the butter and rub into the dry ingredients using your finger tips
- Combine egg, milk and honey in a separate bowl. Add to dry ingredients and mix until just combined
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and pat down to around 3cm thickness
- Cut out with a biscuit cutter and place on lined baking tray with biscuits just touching
- Bake in preheated over for 15 minutes or until brown on top
- Cool before serving
- Dogs
- 115g can tuna in springwater, drained
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 tbsp KONG Cat Naturals Catnip
- 1 egg
- Preheat oven to 180 °C
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until a smooth, thick dough forms
- Roll dough into balls approx 1/4 teaspoon size and place on lined baking trays. Slightly flatten each ball
- Bake for approx 15 minutes or until golden
- Allow to cool before serving
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Can be frozen
- Cats
- 2 orange sweet potatoes
- Preheat oven to 130 °C
- Wash sweet potatoes
- Slice or use a mandolin to cut the potatoes into 1/2 cm thick slices- cut into rounds for smaller dogs, or long slices for larger dogs
- Place in a single layer on a baking tray and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours, flipping once
- Allow to cool
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks
- Dogs
- West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi Interactive Toy
- 1 cup of plain unsweetened porridge
- 1/4 cup of frozen or fresh berries- strawberry, blueberry or raspberry
- Prepare the porridge according to directions and allow to cool and thicken
- Add 1-3 berries to the porrige mix depending on the size of your dog and the toy, and smash them up and spread them around
- Fill the West Paw Toy with the mixture. For an extra challenge, freeze the mixture inside the toy
- Dogs
- West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi Interactive Toy
- 1 cooked chicken breast or 1 cup of left over chicken (no skin, bones or seasoning)
- 1/2 cup Open Farm Chicken Bone Broth
- Cut up chicken into small pieces suited for the size of your dog
- Stuff chicken into toy
- Fill remaining space with chicken broth and freeze
- Dogs
- West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi Interactive Toy
- 1 soft, ripe banana
- 1/2 cup Xylitol-free Peanut Butter
- 250mL plain (unsweetened) yoghurt
- Optional: Bully stick size small or medium
- Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth
- Pour into toy
- Top with Bully Stick and freeze for an extra challenge
- Dogs
- Xylitol-free Peanut Butter
- Dry Food
- Bone broth (frozen)
- KONG Paste
- Liver Treats
- Freeze-Dried and Air-Dried Food
- Wellness Core Simply Shreds
- 1 banana
- 1/2 packet Peters Carrot Chips
- 3/4 cup ground or crushed Peters Clover Pellets
- Optional: 2 tablespoons dried rose petals or rose buds
- Mash the banana thoroughly with a fork
- Mix in crushed or ground pellets - the "dough" should hold nicely into little rounds and be easy to shape without sticking excessively. If it is too wet, add more crushed or ground pellets
- Add in carrot chips to taste
- Use a half teaspoon measuring spoon to portion out into little balls on a baking sheet or tray
- Squash each little ball down into a round cookie, and top with rose petals or buds if using
- Bake on low (50-100 °C) with fan-forced if your oven has the option until dry - 2-3 hours. Alternatively, a dehydrator can be used until dry to the touch
- Store in a closed, air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
- Guinea Pigs
- Rabbits
- Haypigs Circus 3-in-1 Treat Ball
- Assortment of fresh herbs- some safe options include mint, basil, parsley, oregano and rocket
- Assortment of fresh vegetables- some safe options include silverbeet, celery, carrot tops/leaves, rocket, kale and spinach.
- 1-2 sultanas or dried cranberries
- Place 1-2 sultanas or cranberries into the centre of the Haypigs Circus 3-in-1 Treat Ball
- Take your fresh herbs and vegetable and stick them into the star shaped holes of the ball. Ensure the sultanas/ cranberries are buried to encourage foraging behaviour
- Guinea Pigs
- Rabbits
- Fruit- apple, pear, mango, banana
- Berries- strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry
- Edible flowers- rose, nasturtium, marigold, dandelion, lavender
- Dried fruit- sultanas or dried cranberries
- Selective Naturals Treats
- M Pets DIY Pocket Pets Grass Kit
Salmon, Zucchini and Cheese Brunch Omelette
Delicious and healthy, this salmon, zucchini and cheese omelette is the perfect treat for a lazy Sunday brunch. Salmon, a great source of protein and rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, has been shown to have a range of health benefits such as healthy skin, anti-inflammatory properties and increased brain function and development.
This recipe has been finished with a sprinkling of Nutritional Yeast Flakes. Nutritional Yeast is available at most leading supermarkets and has some amazing health properties including high levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid, nine essential amino acids and is an excellent source of fibre. This superfood can be sprinkled onto your pets food or treats daily for a healthy boost!
For a longer lasting challenge, try cutting up this omelette and adding it to your dog's favourite KONG or West Paw toy.
Salmon, Zucchini and Cheese Brunch Omelette
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Winter Warming Drinks
Warm your pet up on a cold winter night with these pet friendly warming drinks. Try our easy puppuccino recipe made with lactose free pet milk and pet safe carob. Cats will love the relaxing qualities of cat nip infused tea in a tasty and nutritious bone broth.
Catnip Tea
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Puppuccino
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Chicken Congee
Hearty and nutritious, this chicken congee recipe is mild on sensitive tummies and makes the perfect winter comfort food for dogs and cats.
Chicken Congee
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Paw-some Blueberry Biscuits
Your dog will love these decadent homemade biscuit treats. Packed full of blueberries, which are not just delicious but are a natural superfood known for their antioxidant health benefits.
Paw-some Blueberry Biscuits
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Looking for more dog friendly homemade treats? Why not try Wagalot Mix & Zip Cake or Cookie Mixes. Just mix and bake at home, for freshly cooked treats your dog will love!
Tuna Bites
So easy to make, these delicious cat treats are packed full of tuna which cats love, while being rich in omega 3 fatty acids.
Tuna Bites
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Sweet Potato Chews
Great for dogs with sensitive tummies or those that suffer from food intolerances, these sweet potato chews are completely natural, healthy and so easy to make.
Sweet Potato Dog Chews
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Do you have a pet on a veterinary prescription diet and struggle to find treats for them? Hill's Prescription Dog and Cat diets can be made into healthy homemade treats without affecting your pet's diet. Check out the following links: Healthy Homemade Dog Treats or Healthy Homemade Cat Treats.
Healthy West Paw Stuffers
Image from West Paw Instagram
West Paw have developed a range of safe, durable and responsibly made interactive toys for dogs. Made from recycled ocean-bound plastic and zero-waste Zogoflex.
West Paw products are not just great for playing and chewing, but make fantastic treat dispensers that will keep your dog busy for hours. Try one of our healthy West Paw Stuffer recipes, suitable for use with the West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi. You can even come up with your own recipes at home. The options for your dog are only limited by your imagination!
Breakfast of Champions
Makes 3 servings
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Chicken Licken' Good
Makes 2 servings
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Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Makes 5 servings
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*recipes care of the West Paw company website
Other great West Paw stuffing ideas:
Pocket Pet Treats
Spoil your pocket pet with these delicious homemade treats and foraging ideas to keep them happy and entertained.
Banana Carrot Chip Cookies
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Foraging Fun
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More Treat Ideas for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
IMPORTANT: Any new food or treats should be introduced slowly to your rabbit or guinea pig to reduce the risk of gut stasis. A treat the size of a 10 cent coin should only be given 2-3 times per week. Gut stasis is a digestive issue affecting rabbits and guinea pigs that can cause serious illness and even death. For more information on how to prevent this condition, read our veterinary written article: Gut Stasis in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs.
Looking for more information on what to feed your rabbit or guinea pig? Read our helpful veterinary written article What to Feed Pocket Pets.
Shop All Rabbit and Guinea Pig Treats
*These recipes and treats are not complete and balanced and are not designed to replace your pet's regular diet. Treats should only be fed in conjunction with a complete and balanced diet. For more information on what to feed your pet please contact our vets Discover Page. Check with your vet first to ensure that these treats are suitable for your pet.
Further Reading
What is the Best Treat for your Dog?
The Real Cost of Supermarket Food
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.