A Holly Jolly DIY: Christmas Turkey Treats for Your Pets
The holidays are all about sharing joy… and if your pets are anything like mine, they’re very interested in sharing the food too! Luckily, you can treat your pups and kitties to something special without giving them anything unsafe from the Christmas table.
This year, we’re whipping up a batch of homemade Turkey Treats — simple, healthy, and absolutely drool-worthy. They’re perfect as stocking stuffers, Christmas Eve surprises, or just a festive way to say “I woof you” to your furry bestie. 💛
And don’t worry — every step comes with a photo so you can follow along easily in your own kitchen!
🦃 Why Turkey?
Turkey is a lean, pet-friendly protein that’s great for most dogs and cats (just make sure it’s plain and unseasoned). It’s also a fun nod to the season — after all, turkeys have been a Christmas staple for centuries!
Fun festive fact:
Did you know that Victorian England made turkey the go-to Christmas centrepiece? Before that, people feasted on goose! Lucky for our pets, turkey is much better suited for healthy homemade treats. 😉
🎁 DIY Christmas Turkey Treats (Dog + Cat Friendly)
Ingredients
Turkey thighs
(I used turkey steaks because thighs were out — both work perfectly!)
✨ Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 200°C.
2️⃣ Bake the turkey
Place your turkey thighs/steaks on a baking tray.
Pop them in the oven for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
3️⃣ Let them cool
Remove from the oven and let them cool until safe to handle.
4️⃣ Slice into strips
Cut into strips 0.5–1 cm thick.
Keep in mind: they will shrink in the dehydrator!
5️⃣ Into the dehydrator
Place strips in your dehydrator, making sure they’re not touching.
Set your dehydrator to max heat.
Dehydrate for 8–12 hours (overnight works wonderfully).
Tip: They’re ready when they snap easily — like a crunchy Christmas cracker! 🎉
6️⃣ Store your treats
Keep your finished turkey treats in:
• A ziplock bag, or
• An airtight container
They’ll last for ages and stay fresh and crunchy.
🎄 The Perfect Christmas Treat
These treats make adorable stocking stuffers, reward snacks, or little gifts for friends’ pets. Best of all? You know exactly what’s inside — no nasties, just pure festive love.
May your Christmas be merry, bright, and full of wagging tails and happy purrs! 🐶🎅🐱
If you try this recipe, tag us — I’d love to see your furry taste-testers in action!
