Dog Treats Made With Ground Turkey (Easy & Delicious))
Written by: Sarah C.
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Published on
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Time to read 7 min
When the kitchen fills with the smell of roasted turkey and cinnamon-sweet pumpkin pie, thereâs always one pair of eyes watching every move you make.
Your dog â patiently (or not so patiently) waiting, tail thumping softly against the floor, hoping that this time, youâll share something from that magical feast.
And honestly⊠why shouldnât they have a treat too?
Thanksgiving is about family, gratitude, warmth, and love â and your dog is every bit a part of that. The trick is making sure what you give them is safe, wholesome, and simple enough that you donât add stress to your already busy holiday kitchen.
Thatâs where these Thanksgiving Dog Treats Easy recipes come in. They take minutes to prepare, use everyday ingredients you already have, and are completely dog-safe.
Youâll create something delicious, healthy, and full of heart while keeping your pupâs tail wagging all through the holidays.
Think about it. Every year, you celebrate gratitude â for family, love, comfort, and the little moments that make life sweet.
And every single day, your dog gives you all of that without asking for anything back.
They donât need the big meal or the fancy side dishes they just want to be part of the moment. And baking something special for them isnât just an act of kindness⊠itâs a moment of connection.
Dogs thrive on inclusion. When they sense the joy, laughter, and togetherness of Thanksgiving, they want to join in too.
But sharing your table scraps isnât the way  that can lead to upset stomachs or dangerous ingredients. Instead, you can easily make a few safe, healthy treats that give your dog a holiday of their own.
These recipes are made for busy dog parents  no complicated steps, no long prep time, no weird ingredients you have to order online. Just simple, heartwarming baking that smells like home.
What Makes a Thanksgiving Treat âDog-Friendlyâ?
Dog-friendly doesnât just mean âit has turkey in it.â It means itâs safe, simple, and crafted for your pupâs health.
Hereâs what that looks like:
â No dangerous ingredients. Avoid anything with onions, garlic, nutmeg, raisins, chocolate, or xylitol. Even small amounts can harm dogs.
â No heavy fats, salts, or gravies. Thanksgiving foods like stuffing or gravy may seem innocent, but theyâre loaded with fats and sodium that can upset digestion.
â No pie fillings or sweeteners. Pumpkin pie filling and canned cranberry sauce often contain sugar, spices, and additives that are toxic to dogs.
â Simple, natural ingredients. Cooked lean turkey, pumpkin puree, sweet potato, oat flour, applesauce â those are your go-to holiday heroes.
â Balanced flavor and texture. Dogs love treats that smell meaty but still have a chewy or crunchy texture. These recipes give you both.
When you stick with whole, unprocessed ingredients, youâll make something your pup can eat with joy and without worry.
Easy Thanksgiving Dog Treat Recipe: Turkey & Pumpkin Bites
This recipe is the heart of the holiday  warm, cozy, and full of flavor your dog will adore. Itâs quick to make, bakes beautifully, and smells just like the Thanksgiving table.
đ Prep time: 10 minutes
đ„ Bake time: 20 minutes
đȘ Yields: 25 treats
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked plain turkey (no skin, no seasoning)
œ cup 100% pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 egg
1 cup oat flour (or brown rice flour for grain-free version)
1 tbsp melted coconut oil (optional for coat health & flavor)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine turkey, pumpkin, and egg in a bowl. Stir until smooth.
Add oat flour and coconut oil. Mix until you get a soft, pliable dough.
Roll out dough to Œ inch thickness. Cut into festive shapes (bones, leaves, hearts).
Bake for 18â20 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
Cool completely before serving.
Storage:
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
đĄ Pro Tip: For extra crunch, turn off the oven and let the treats sit inside for 10 minutes before removing.
Your kitchen will smell like pure love â and your dog will be sitting by the oven the whole time.
Why These Ingredients Are So Powerful
Turkey Lean, digestible protein that supports muscles, gives a natural savory flavor, and fits perfectly into the Thanksgiving theme.
Pumpkin Rich in fiber, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. Helps digestion and adds a cozy, sweet scent dogs love.
Egg A natural binder that also adds protein and essential amino acids.
Oat Flour or Brown Rice Flour Gentle on sensitive stomachs and gluten-free, unlike traditional wheat flour.
Coconut Oil Adds moisture, promotes a shiny coat, and supports healthy skin and joints.
This combo gives your dog a nutrient-dense, allergy-friendly treat that feels indulgent â but keeps them healthy and happy.
Bonus Recipe: Apple Cranberry Crunch
Because why not make it festive? This recipe smells like a Thanksgiving dessert but is completely dog-safe.
Ingredients:
1 cup oat flour
œ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp chopped unsweetened cranberries
1 egg
1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Mix applesauce, egg, and oil.
Add oat flour and cranberries. Stir until combined.
Spoon onto a lined baking tray and flatten slightly.
Bake for 15â18 minutes.
Cool before serving. These are great for senior dogs since they stay soft in the center.
Tips for Making the Holiday Stress-Free (and Mess-Free)
đŻ Use what you already have. Leftover turkey and canned pumpkin are perfect. You donât need fancy ingredients.
đ Keep it quick. All recipes here take under 30 minutes â because nobody needs another all-day kitchen project on Thanksgiving.
đ§Ą Bake in batches. Make one batch to share now and one for later. These treats freeze beautifully.
đ Give as gifts. Wrap a few in a brown paper bag with twine and a âHappy Thanksgivingâ tag â instant pet-friendly gift for friends.
đ„Ł Get the kids involved. Let them roll the dough or cut out the shapes. It turns baking into family bonding.
đ¶ Feed in moderation. Even healthy treats should be given in small portions â a few bites go a long way.
Thanksgiving Safety Reminder
Even with the best intentions, accidents can happen. So remember:
Never feed turkey bones, skin, gravy, or stuffing.
Avoid onions, garlic, raisins, nutmeg, and sugary desserts.
Check peanut butter labels for xylitol, a deadly sweetener for dogs.
Introduce new treats gradually to avoid stomach upset.
Always consult your vet if your dog has dietary sensitivities.
Thanksgiving should be joyful â not a trip to the emergency clinic.
Make It Personal
You can give your dog a treat thatâs as unique as they are.
Try:
Using pumpkin and sweet potato together for a softer chew.
Adding parsley for a breath-freshening twist.
Rolling the dough in oats for texture and crunch.
And donât forget to make it part of your family tradition.
When you sit down for dinner, hand your pup their own âplateâ of special treats. They wonât understand what Thanksgiving is â but theyâll feel the love.
Why Baking for Your Dog Feels So Good
Thereâs something deeply satisfying about it.
Maybe itâs the way their tail wags before the treats even come out of the oven. Or the way they sit, waiting, eyes wide â pure trust, pure love.
Youâll realize itâs not about baking a cookie. Itâs about what it represents: gratitude, care, and connection.
When life gets busy, dogs remind us to slow down. To appreciate small moments. To celebrate love without words.
And when you make these Thanksgiving Dog Treats Easy, youâre doing exactly that â saying thank you in the language your dog understands best.
The Heart Behind It All
At the end of the day, this isnât just about food.
Itâs about inclusion. Itâs about gratitude. Itâs about the quiet, simple joy that comes from knowing that every living soul under your roof human or not is part of the celebration.
Youâre not just baking for your dog. Youâre creating a memory that will live in your heart long after the dishes are done and the candles are blown out.
The kitchen hums with life laughter from the dining room, the soft crackle of the oven, the faint rhythm of paws on the floor as your dog circles the table, waiting for a signal that itâs finally their turn.
Thereâs warmth in the air, that familiar blend of roasted turkey, baked pumpkin, and a hint of love that canât be bottled or bought.
You catch yourself smiling because you realize: this is what Thanksgiving was always supposed to be about.
Not the perfect meal. Not the matching plates. Not the social-media photos. But this a few quiet minutes spent giving back to the one who gives you unconditional loyalty every single day.
When you mix that dough with your own hands, youâre doing more than following a recipe. Youâre grounding yourself in the moment. Youâre saying thank you without words â to your dog, to the season, to the life youâve built together.
As the treats cool on the counter, your pup sits nearby, head tilted, nose twitching at the scent. They donât understand Thanksgiving, not the way you do. But they understand love. They understand patience. They understand that this moment right here is for them.
And when you finally hand over that little golden biscuit, still warm from the oven, and watch their tail wag so hard it shakes their whole body thatâs when it hits you.
Itâs never been about the food. Itâs about connection. Itâs about gratitude expressed in the simplest, purest form. Itâs about remembering that love doesnât have to be grand or loud â it can live quietly inside something as small as a homemade treat.
So grab that bowl again next year, and the year after, and make it your own tradition. Let your kitchen fill with laughter, paws, and pumpkin once more.
Because in the end, love real love often looks like flour on your hands, a happy dog at your feet, and the soft sound of contentment echoing through your home. đŸđ
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