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12 Best Thanksgiving Treats for Dogs

Written by Laura
Laura is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Friday 30 October 2020
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
best thanksgiving treats for dogs
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Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings and being thankful for all that we have, and that includes our dogs. So why not show them how much we love them by buying some special Thanksgiving dog treats? Or even better – making our own!

One of the ways we show love to our human family members is through food, so why should our dogs be any different? Below is a list of the best, healthiest & tastiest dog treats for Thanksgiving so that you can pamper your dog this holiday.

First, let’s take a look at some readily made natural dog treats you can buy online for Thanksgiving.

6 Best Commercial Thanksgiving Dog Treats

If you’re looking for a lovely thanksgiving dog treat to buy on the market, then take a look at the list below.

1. Three Dog Bakery Soft Baked Woofers

If you don’t fancy baking your dog some homemade biscuits yourself, these are the next best thing! Made in the USA, these low-priced Three Dog Bakery treats are soft-baked from scratch, with all-natural ingredients and no added artificial stuff or grains, which is great for dogs with grain intolerances.

Healthy and tasty, these sweet treats are packed full of real pumpkin which is a rich source of fiber & vitamins, and yummy cinnamon. It’s also worth noting that you get a lot of product for your money.

The majority of reviews rave about the product, claiming that the treats have a very nice, natural smell and that they’re soft on teeth and sensitive tummies. A few, however, claim that the biscuits do dry out and harden when no properly sealed – so keep that in mind!

2. Plato Real Strips Turkey & Cranberry Dog Treats

A delicious mix of sweet and savory, these low-priced treats really pack a Thanksgiving punch. With many reviewers of the product claiming that they are their dog’s favorites, this classic combination of turkey and cranberry make for the perfect Thanksgiving treat.

Made in the USA, Plato’s turkey & cranberry dog treats are soft, breakable, and easy to chew. They contain real meat and cranberries and are air-dried rather than baked to retain certain nutrients, they also don’t contain any artificial ingredients or grains. Turkey is rich in protein and cranberries are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that aid urinary tract health.

But beware, a few reviews claim that the treats they received were expired, so make sure you buy them from a reputable retailer.

3. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Pumpkin & Turkey Dog Treats

These mini savory bites are a little bit more expensive than the first two treats on the list but are worth it as they have almost zero bad reviews.

Containing real turkey and pumpkin and made in the USA, these Zuke’s dog treats have added vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s health. They also contain no artificial flavorings, wheat, corn, or soy and each treat is only three calories. This along with their bite-size makes them an ideal treat to use for training!

4. Blue Dog Bakery Harvest Puppy Bites

Finally, one for the puppies! The rest of the treats on this list are meant for adult dogs, but these extra gentle treats are made with puppies in mind. Affordable and made in the USA, Blue Dog Bakery’s pumpkin flavor treats for puppies & small dogs also have no bad reviews.

They’re small, soft, chewy, and freshly baked with zero GMOs, artificial flavorings, or common allergens such as wheat and soy. These pumpkin-flavored treats are perfect for your dog’s first Thanksgiving!

5. Blue Dog Bakery Pun’kin Softies

Don’t panic! They also do an adult version. Soft baked with a chewy center, Blue Dog Bakery’s pumpkin-flavored treats for adult dogs are just as tasty as their puppy counterpart. They’re also, as the name would suggest, extra soft, making them a great Thanksgiving treat for older dogs who may need softer food for their teeth.

It’s worth noting, however, that these treats do contain the common-allergen wheat, so keep that in mind if your dog has an intolerance. That said, we commend Blue Dog Bakery for their use of sustainable palm oil in this product.

6. Weruva Let’s Give Em’ Pumpkin To Talk About

Okay, it’s not a bag of treats. But this super-fun box of dog food is a brilliant way to spoil your dog for the entire week of Thanksgiving. The Weruva food pack gives your dog a different Thanksgiving-themed meal to look forward to every day, including chicken soup, amazon liver, steak, and salmon, all mixed with pumpkin to give it that Thanksgiving feel.

All made with natural ingredients that are packed with protein and nutrients, all without any grains, GMOs, or carrageenan.

It is on the expensive side at almost $30, but it will keep your dog fed for up to 12 days, depending on how you choose to use it. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with extra praise from dog-parents of fussy eaters & dogs with sensitive stomachs.

thanksgiving treats for dogs
Show your dog some love by making treats!

6 Best Homemade Thanksgiving Treats for Dogs

Homemade food is one of the best ways to show your love. Below is a list of the six best and easiest recipes for homemade Thanksgiving dog treats. None of them contain the popular allergen wheat.

1. Simple Dog Biscuits

These simple, adaptable homemade dog biscuits are quick and easy to make. Containing only natural, healthy, delicious ingredients that you probably already have in the kitchen! All you need is 2 cups of rolled oats, a mashed up banana for binding, and whatever you decide to use for flavor. For example, for a Thanksgiving-themed treat, add to taste some fresh, tinned, or pureed pumpkin. Bananas and pumpkins are a great source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins B & E. Pumpkin is also famous for aiding dogs’ digestive systems.

For a sweet treat, add some cooked, mashed up apple (with the seeds removed) or strawberries, with a little cinnamon. For a sweet and savory mix, add a little cheese with the apple! Apples and strawberries are a rich source of fiber and vitamins A & C for dogs, and cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar! For something completely savory, add some peanut butter to the mix instead. Peanut butter is a great source of protein, vitamin B and vitamin E.

Just make sure the peanut butter you use doesn’t contain any of the sweetener xylitol, as it’s toxic to dogs. Similarly, keep an eye out for toxic fruit and avoid them.

Simply mix up your ingredients in a bowl, tip the mixture out onto a non-stick surface, and then either roll or cut your biscuits into shapes. Finally, place them onto a baking tray covered in baking paper and bake in the oven for half an hour at 356°F. Alternatively, you could take the above recipe and not bake it, making for a healthy, easy no-bake dog cake.

2. Pumpkin Ice-cream

This super simple two-ingredient recipe for pumpkin-flavored ice-cream is sure to be a doggy favorite for Thanksgiving dessert!

Just mix a cup of plain yogurt with a cup of pumpkin puree and leave to freeze in the freezer overnight. You could use an ice-cube tray for smaller portions, an ice lolly molding tray, or simply leave it as a big lump. Packed full of calcium, protein, and good bacteria for your dog’s tummy! Just make sure the yogurt you use doesn’t contain any xylitol.

3. Pumpkin Smoothie or Soup

If your dog’s not keen on cold things, you could create the same concoction mentioned above, and not freeze it! This creates an equally nutritious and yummy smoothie for your four-legged family member to drink.

Alternatively, you could heat it up in a pan for a few minutes and you’ve got yourself some lovely, warm pumpkin soup. That said, heating up yogurt can cause it to lose some of its nutritional value. But it still tastes good!

4. Sweet Potato Chips

If you bought too many vegetables for Thanksgiving, use some up by making your dog a tasty, crispy treat. Just thinly slice up a sweet potato and put the slices in the oven at a low temperature around 250°F, for 3 hours to dry out and crisp up – yum!

Not only are sweet potatoes a classic Thanksgiving food, but they also have numerous nutritional benefits for your dog. They contain vitamins A, B, and C, and lots of antioxidants. They’re also a rich source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium.

5. Crunchy Liver Treats

For a meaty treat that can’t be beaten! Buy yourself some liver, wash it with some clean water, and place it on a baking tray. Put it in the oven to cook for around two hours at 300°F. This will completely dry out and crisp up the liver, creating the perfect meaty treats for you to chop up and give to your dog this Thanksgiving!

Just make sure you keep the treats in the fridge. They should last for between 3 and 5 days, so put anything that won’t get eaten in that time in the freezer. These treats are super tasty & full of protein and a great source of vitamin A for your dog.

6. Leftover Turkey Meatballs

Got some leftovers you want to get rid of? Make some of these!

Take a pound of turkey (with the bones removed), and squash it up in your hands with half a cup of rolled oats, 2 eggs, and some winter vegetables. Roll them into small balls and cook them for 20 minutes in the oven at around 450°F.

Packed with protein and fiber, these turkey meatballs are the perfect Thanksgiving treat.

What About Thanksgiving Dinner?

Ah, the best treat of all! Dogs can enjoy many elements of a classic Thanksgiving dinner; plain turkey bacon, winter vegetables, even a little cranberry sauce!

Just make sure you divide them up a doggy sized portion. And remember to never give them any turkey bones, stuffing, gravy, or anything containing onions. For a full list of Thanksgiving foods that are dangerous for dogs, click here.

Hopefully, this article has given you insight into the healthiest, yummiest, best treats for your dog this Thanksgiving. What does your dog eat on Thanksgiving? Do you have your own recipes for homemade dog treats? Share them in the comments down below. Happy holidays!

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