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Last Christmas Eve, I had trays of gingerbread men cooling on the counter while carols played in the background. Usagi sat patiently by my feet, tail wagging with every cinnamon-filled breath. I pulled out a separate bowl, mixed peanut butter, pumpkin, and oats, and rolled them into little gingerbread-man shapes.
The moment I handed her the first cooled cookie, she wagged so hard her back paws left the floor. That memory alone makes this recipe worth repeating every single holiday season.
Table of contents
Christmas is my favorite time of year—the lights, the cozy smells of cinnamon and gingerbread, the laughter echoing through the house. But one year, as I was rolling out cookies, I realized Usagi was just lying on the rug, watching but not included. That didn’t feel right.
So I started making easy homemade Christmas dog treats —festive little cookies just for her. That way, when the humans got gingerbread, Usagi got her own safe version too.
1 ½ cups oat flour (or blended rolled oats)
½ cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened, no spices)
½ cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
1 egg
½ tsp cinnamon (optional, dog-safe in small amounts)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix peanut butter, pumpkin, and egg until smooth.
Stir in oat flour and cinnamon to form dough.
Roll out dough and cut with gingerbread man or tree-shaped cutters.
Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 15–20 minutes until firm but still soft inside.
Cool before serving to your pup.
Calories: 28 kcal
Protein: 1.2 g
Fiber: 0.9 g
Fat: 1 g
Probiotic-Rich: Supports digestion.
High in Vitamins: Pumpkin and banana add essential nutrients.
Low-Calorie: Great for hot days or post-walk snacks.
Human-Safe: Sweet, creamy, and healthy for you too.
| Ingredient | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Peanut Butter | Protein + healthy fats for energy |
| Pumpkin | Fiber + vitamins A & C for digestion |
| Oats | Gentle on tummy, slow-release energy |
| Egg | Protein + amino acids for muscle health |
| Cinnamon | Antioxidants (optional, adds holiday aroma) |
Protein-Rich: Supports strong muscles and recovery.
Digestive-Friendly: Pumpkin + oats help keep digestion regular.
Vitamin Boost: Pumpkin adds immune support.
Festive Flavor: Cinnamon makes it smell just like holiday baking.
Dough too sticky? → Add a little extra oat flour.
Dough too dry? → Add 1–2 tsp pumpkin puree.
No cookie cutters? → Roll into balls and flatten with a fork.
Usagi has a sixth sense when I grab the peanut butter jar—she trots into the kitchen before I even open it. She gets her “official peanut butter taste test” before I scoop the rest into the bowl. Watching her sit, wait, and wiggle with excitement is half the fun of baking these treats.
Use snowflake', Christmas tree cutters, Paw Print molds, or dog bone shapes cookies mold for variety.
Add 1 tsp flaxseed for an omega-3 boost.
Make mini-bite versions for training rewards.
Room Temp: 3–4 days
Fridge: Up to 1 week
Freezer: 2 months (thaw before serving)
Easy homemade Christmas dog treats don’t need to be complicated. These peanut butter gingerbread cookies are festive, healthy, and simple enough to whip up even during the busiest holiday week. Best of all, they bring Usagi into the holiday traditions—because Christmas memories should be shared by the whole family, paws included.
