Thanksgiving is a time of appreciation, and your dog, of course, is one of your most cherished family members. There is no better way to show your appreciation than to prepare your own homemade dog Thanksgiving dinner recipes. To help you find the perfect treat for your special pup, we have compiled a list of the most mouth-watering meals for dogs this Thanksgiving.
When choosing a homemade Thanksgiving recipe for dogs, it’s important to remember to protect your pooch from harmful ingredients, no matter how tasty they may seem. Not everything on the table this Thanksgiving will be safe for your dog, so be sure to recap which snacks are a no-go before preparing your meal.
Looking for the best homemade dog Thanksgiving dinner recipes? Look no further than our list of the 20 best homemade Thanksgiving recipes for dogs! Here, we have compiled some of the most mouth-watering morsels for your pup, who will surely be thankful for a change from their usual kibble.
1. Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Balls
Our first choice of homemade thanksgiving recipe for dogs is this delicious peanut butter and pumpkin ball treat! This recipe can make up to 30 peanut butter and pumpkin dog balls and takes 20 minutes to complete. In addition, your pumpkin and peanut butter balls can last for up to 3 weeks in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. So, for this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Two and a half cups of oats
- Half a cup of organic peanut butter
- One cup of pumpkin
- One teaspoon of cinnamon, and three tablespoons of honey
2. Thanksgiving Dinner for Dogs
Got cranberry sauce? Why not share some with your pooch this Thanksgiving with a Thanksgiving dinner! This scrumptious Thanksgiving recipe can produce up to 9 1-cup servings and takes 30 minutes to complete. Each serving contains approximately 321 calories. With that being said, just be sure to remove the skin and bones from your turkey before cooking it, as excessive fats can increase your dog’s risk of pancreatitis. You will need:
- 1.3kg of skinless turkey pieces
- 450g of cubed sweet potatoes
- 1 cup of cooked oatmeal
- 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce
- 4 tablespoons of turkey gravy
3. Roasted Turkey Medallions
Need a recipe that is quick to complete, but still exciting for your special pup? These mouth-watering roasted turkey medallions are made in 15 minutes and yield 30 servings. Each medallion serving contains 17 calories. You will need:
- 6 ounces of boiled turkey meat
- Half a cup of chopped carrots
- Half a cup of oatmeal or ground quinoa
As well as your ingredients, you will need a food processor to thoroughly blend the ingredients. As with any other homemade recipe, be sure to remove the skin and bones from your turkey meat before serving to your dog.
4. Crunchy BBQ Liver Treats
Is your pup on a wheat-free diet? Then look no further than these delicious crunchy BBQ liver dog treats, with a recipe specially tailored for dogs who cannot eat wheat. This delicious recipe produces 40 treats. Firstly, you will need:
- Half a pound of bacon
- One pound of liver
- One cup of cooked
- Mashed sweet potato puree
- Half a cup of cornmeal
- One cup of rolled oats
- Half a cup of flaxseeds
- Half a cup of chicken broth
- Three large eggs
- A quarter of a cup of non-spicy BBQ sauce
Once complete, your end result will be crisp, meaty cookies that no dog will be able to resist this Thanksgiving.
5. Peas-on-Earth cakes
Want a treat that you and your dog can try together? Firstly, you will need:
- Half a cup of cooked brown rice
- Half an ounce of peas
- One egg
- Half a cup of chicken
- Two tablespoons of plain breadcrumbs
- Two tablespoons of chopped parsley
- One tablespoon of olive oil
Using this recipe, you can make up to four peas-on-earth cakes in ten minutes! In addition, add salt and pepper to your own serving for the best experience. As with any homemade dog thanksgiving dinner recipes, be sure to remove all skin and bones from your poultry before serving it to your dog.
6. Frozen Turkey Dinner Treat
Looking for a cool recipe for your pup this Thanksgiving? These frozen turkey dinner treats might be just what your dog needs. For this recipe, all you will need:
- An ice tray
- Sweet potato chunks
- Peas
- Turkey broth
The number of servings depends on how many molds are in your ice tray and the recipe takes up to four hours to complete. Finally, once complete, you can store your dinner treats in a plastic freezer bag for easy access.
7. Doggy Meatballs
No dog can resist meatballs, and yours won’t get enough of these doggy meatballs this Thanksgiving. Firstly, you will need:
- Ground turkey
- One cup of green beans
- One cup of bread crumbs
- Half a cup of chopped cranberries
The number of servings will depend on the size of your meatballs, and the recipe takes up to 30 minutes to complete. Once complete, your dog is sure to be begging for more portions of this mouthwatering meatball recipe!
8. Turkey & Veggie Dog Meal
It’s only natural that you’d want to give your dog a meal as grand as yours this Thanksgiving. By using this turkey & veggie dog meal recipe, you can produce eight servings that contain 176 calories each. In total, this meal takes around 20 minutes to create. Firstly, you need:
- 2 pounds of ground turkey
- Two tablespoons of diced chicken liver
- Two chopped carrots
- One cup of diced green beans
- One cup of cauliflower florets
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
Finally, once complete, your dog is sure to enjoy the variety in this recipe!
9. Apple Crunch Pupcakes
These apple crunch pupcakes are easy to bake and make for an exciting, tasty treat. Using this delectable recipe, you can produce 12 cupcakes in 50 minutes. Firstly, you will need:
- Two cups of water
- A quarter of a cup of apple sauce
- Four cups of whole wheat flour
- A quarter of a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Four tablespoons of honey
- One tablespoon of baking powder
- One egg
- One chopped apple
With the sweet smell and crunchy texture, your dog will be begging for more before you know it. Finally, just be sure to give these sweet treats in moderation, as they are bound to contain lots of sugar.
10. Pumpkin pie
Ever wanted to bake the perfect pumpkin pie for your pooch in 50 to 55 minutes? We’ve found the perfect recipe for you and your dog! Firstly, you will need:
- One sugar pumpkin
- One tablespoon of vegetable oil
- One nine-inch pastry shell
- Half a teaspoon of ground ginger and cinnamon
- Four eggs
- One cup of warmed honey
- Half a cup of milk
- Half a cup of heavy whipping cream
Not only is this recipe fantastic to taste, but it also contains some beneficial ingredients like ginger. Ginger contains antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory, helping to support dogs with a range of health conditions. In addition, just be sure to avoid ginger that is mixed with nutmeg. Once complete, your dog is sure to enjoy the different textures and tastes of this tasty pumpkin pie.
11. Turkey Gobbler
Considering a pot pie style diner for your dog this Thanksgiving? This recipe contains 980 calories and serves one full meal. Firstly, you will need:
- Three apples
- One pound of ground turkey
- One cup of peas
- Half a cup of sliced carrots
- A pinch of cinnamon
Not only is this Thanksgiving recipe one of the tastiest for your dog, but it can be easily stored too! Once complete, these turkey gobblers last for around one week in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer.
12. Homemade Thanksgiving Dinner for Dogs
Looking for a wholesome main course for your dog? This recipe produces one large thanksgiving meal for your dog that can be stored in a freezer for up to three months. Firstly, to make the perfect homemade dinner, you will need:
- Three pounds of ground turkey
- One and a half cups of uncooked rice
- Two shredded carrots
- Three cups of chopped spinach
- One shredded zucchini
- One tablespoon of olive oil
Whole grains like brown rice are an excellent source of fiber, magnesium, and selenium. In other words, they help to keep your dog’s gut healthy. However, if your dog is allergic to rice, consider skipping this recipe.
13. Ginger Bone Treat
Most dogs love the taste and aroma of ginger cookies! This recipe makes up to 5 or 6 dozen cookies and can be completed in 35 minutes. Firstly, to bake the perfect ginger cookies, you will need:
- Four cups of all-purpose flour
- Two cups of whole wheat flour
- One cup of molasses
- One cup of water
- Half a cup of vegetable oil
- Four tablespoons of ground ginger
- Two teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- One teaspoon of ground cloves
Lastly, one of the best parts of baking your own treats is having the freedom to choose what shapes you use – will you bake ginger bones, hearts, or even squirrels?
14. Mini Muttballs and Ditalini
Got any ditalini pasta on hand? Then we’ve got the perfect recipe for you. This mini muttball and ditalini recipe is a quick and easy way to make a unique treat for your pooch. Firstly, you will need:
- Six cups of chicken broth
- Two large eggs
- One-third of a cup of shredded carrots
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- Bread crumbs
- Chopped parsley
- Half a pound of ditalini pasta
- Three-quarters of a pound of ground beef
The only downside to this otherwise delicious recipe is its use of garlic cloves – to prevent stomach upsets, consider skipping the garlic this Thanksgiving.
15. Turkey Leftover Hound Hash
Got any turkey leftovers to share? Don’t let them go to waste! For this homemade dog Thanksgiving dinner recipe, you will need:
- Half a cup of cranberries
- One and a half cups of low sodium chicken broth
- Half a cup of diced sweet potatoes
- Half a cup of diced white potatoes
Above all, just be sure to remove any bones and skin from your leftover turkey to prevent stomach upsets and choking.
16. Hearty Sweet Potato Casserole for Dogs
Treat your pooch to a sweet potato casserole with this homemade recipe! This mouth-watering casserole recipe yields four cups worth of food and takes a total of 30 minutes to complete. You will need:
- Half a cup of shredded coconut
- Two sweet potatoes
- Two large carrots
- One apple
- One can of low sodium kidney beans
- Two tablespoons of coconut oil
For the perfect finishing touch, plate up your dog’s delicious casserole with a sprinkle of coconut flakes on top. In addition, just be sure to rinse your kidney beans well, to remove excess sodium that might be present. While sodium is an essential mineral, excessive intake causes increased thirst.
17. Pup-kin Pies for Dogs
Ever wanted to bake pup-sized pumpkin pies? Got 13 minutes to spare? Consider these mini pumpkin pies! This recipe yields 24 mini pies. Firstly, you will need:
- Oat flour
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Unsweetened pureed pumpkin
- A banana
Just be sure to use unsweetened applesauce and pumpkin puree for your dog’s meal. This is because excessive sugars and sweeteners are known to cause digestive upsets in dogs. Plus, even if unsweetened applesauce is used, be sure to give it to your dog in moderation to avoid similar problems.
18. Turkey Treats
Looking to use up your leftover turkey? This easy recipe produces bite-sized turkey treats for your hungry hound. Firstly, you will need:
- Two cups of cooked turkey
- Two eggs
- Four teaspoons of grated cheese
- Two cups of whole wheat flour
- Two tablespoons of brewers yeast
- Two tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Four teaspoons of grated cheese
- One tablespoon of parsley
The end result yields crunchy, tasty treats that any turkey-loving dog is sure to gobble up in no time. If your dog is lactose intolerant, make sure to skip the cheese or to try a different recipe. Dogs with severe lactose intolerance may have an adverse reaction to small quantities of cheese.
19. Turkey Bones
Got room for three dozen turkey treats? Firstly, you will need:
- Two cups of chopped turkey
- One egg
- Turkey stock
- Two cups of whole wheat
Moreover, not only is this recipe sure to satisfy your dog’s turkey craving, but it’s just as fun for owners to cut out their desired shapes using a cookie cutter. You could roll little dough balls or perhaps make small bone-shaped treats. Furthermore, for a finishing touch, use the tines of a fork to add a row of holes across the middle of your bones for a real pet shop quality look!
20. Molasses Treats
This molasses recipe can be ready in 35 minutes and yields 50 treats. Firstly, you will need:
- Two cups of brown rice flour
- Two cups of oats
- One cup of water
- A third of a cup of tapioca flour
- Two-thirds of a cup of potato starch
- Two-thirds of a cup of peanut butter
- Half a cup of sunflower oil
- Six tablespoons of molasses
As well as tasting great, these treats will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, as long as you make sure to keep them in an airtight container. This recipe is not suitable for dogs with a nut, rice, potato, or oat allergy. If this applies to your dog, consider skipping to a more suitable homemade Thanksgiving recipe.
Got any questions or concerns about your homemade dog Thanksgiving dinner recipes? Feel free to browse our Frequently Asked Questions section for more details!
There are many different meals and treats you can give to your dog for Thanksgiving! These vary from freshly-prepared meals with turkey breast, to ginger treats lovingly baked in your oven. When making your dog’s Thanksgiving meal, you can include skinless turkey breast, sweet potatoes, gravy, carrots, green beans, cranberries, apple slices, and pumpkin.
It is also important to recap which foods are harmful to dogs at this time of year. You should avoid onions, garlic, mushrooms, raisins, cooked bones, heavy fats including turkey skin, alcohol, nutmeg, and chocolate as they are toxic. If any homemade recipes suggest utilizing these ingredients, always try to substitute them for similar, non-harmful ingredients instead.
Cooking a turkey for a dog is very similar to cooking for a human! Just be sure to set your oven temperature no lower than 325°F, and only cook your bird from room temperature. Raw poultry carries the risk of bacterial contamination, especially from salmonella. This can lead to gastrointestinal illness.
To cook a turkey breast for your dog, you must be sure that you buy a low-fat and low-sodium turkey breast. Be sure to remove any skin and bones from the meat. Cooked turkey bones may seem like a tempting treat, but poultry bones are known to splinter easily, potentially damaging your dog’s intestines. As a result, they also pose a choking hazard, as they can easily obstruct the throat or intestinal tract. As well as this, turkey skin is filled with fats, which can cause stomach upsets to dogs who eat too much. Fatty foods like turkey skin increase your dog’s risk of pancreatitis.
Some of the best Thanksgiving dog treats are those you make at home. Using ingredients like turkey breast, peas, cranberries, pumpkin, and turkey broth, you can craft the most delicious baked treats or the most mouth-watering main course meals for your special pup. However, just be sure to avoid any toxic foods or foods that may upset your dog’s stomach for the best possible Thanksgiving treats.
Homemade dog Thanksgiving dinner recipes are a fun and food-oriented way to show your dog just how much you appreciate them. This Thanksgiving, be sure to offer your pooch a healthy and safe treat served with love.