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It’s the holiday season, a time when most people spend time at parties enjoying their favorite foods. It’s also a time when people share meals with family. Since dogs are part of the family, it makes sense to celebrate and share the meals with them.
It is worth noting that some holiday foods might not be safe for our pets. Some foods add fat and calories while others, especially high-fat foods, could lead to issues like pancreatitis.
However, before diving into which holiday foods are shareable with our canine friends, let’s talk about what you can do if your pet gets anxious during the holidays.
Keep Your Pets Calm
Hosting parties during the holidays is all part of the season. While a night full of laughter and food is enjoyed by humans, it can be a source of anxiety and stress to your pets. Managing that anxiety in your pets is important so they don’t become distressed or destructive.
While there are different ways of doing that, keeping your dog calm can be a crucial part of the solution.
If you notice symptoms such as destructive behaviors, house soiling, aggression, and excessive barking, you can try something like these top CBD dog treats from a trusted supplier to calm your pet down.
Now let’s get into some of the more fun holiday foods your dog can enjoy this season.
Calcium Bones
Calcium bones can be found in almost every other supermarket. They are chewy and soft and can be an amazing treat for dogs over the holidays, especially those above six months of age.
Apart from making sure that your dogs have something to keep them busy during the holidays and while the humans enjoy their festive meals, calcium bones aid in a healthy digestive tract for your dog. They also improve your dog’s dental health and ensure that they have fresh breath.
As the dog chews, the calcium bones rub off plaque formation and tartar from their gums and teeth. Calcium bones are usually enriched with vitamins and made using natural ingredients and milk.
Salmon Treats
Salmon treats are both incredibly healthy and delicious to both dogs and cats making them an excellent holiday food choice.
Like other fish, salmon is high in omega 3 healthy fats which helps maintain a shiny and lustrous coat.
Salmon treats vary in nature and there are plenty of options to choose from. Some come in the form of jerky (like this eggplant jerky for dogs) while others are bite-sized freeze dried treats great for training purposes.
No matter which form you choose, look for treats with minimal ingredients (it’s best if it’s just salmon) and a good portion size for your dog.
An alternative to salmon treats is sardines, which are good for dogs. They contain the same omega-3 fatty acids and are a great source of protein.
Peanut Butter
You can never go wrong with peanut butter when looking for a safe and yummy holiday food for your pet, especially dogs. However, be careful using peanut butter as a treat as too much can create a myriad of issues for your dog due to the excessive fat intake.
When given in moderation, peanut butter is an amazing protein source since it has vitamins B and E, healthy fats, and niacin. There are different types of peanut butter, but the best option for your dogs is unsalted, raw, and sugarless peanut butter.
Almond butter is also safe for dogs if you need a nut butter alternative.
When getting peanut butter for your dog, ensure that you check the label carefully. This is because you should avoid any that contain a sugar substitute called xylitol (xylitol is dangerous for dogs).
Peanut butter can be frozen into different snack shaped molds or stuffed into a kong or other food safe toy. You can also use it to bake homemade treats for your pup like these peanut butter pumpkin dog treats.
Cranberries
Apart from being a holiday food that is safe for dogs, cranberries are a great source of antioxidants. Because of this, they can play an essential role in boosting your dog’s immune system.
Since they are a fruit though, you need to make sure the portion size is appropriate for your dog because the sugar content can add up quickly.
Try giving your dog cranberries either by themselves or baked into your favorite dog treat. There are also lots of cranberry chew options on the market many of which are used as a natural way to keep your dog’s urinary tract healthy.
Since our pets are just as much a part of the family as anyone else, it’s expected to include them in the holiday fun. With this handful of seasonal foods that are safe for dogs to eat, now you can make their holiday just as special as yours!