Christmas puddings are one of the hallmarks of a festive dinner, but sadly they contain ingredients which can make our furry friends unwell. Forget snaffling a piece of turkey or chewing a bone — one pet healthcare company has revealed how you can make a dog-friendly Christmas pudding this December.
"Christmas is a lovely time to share food with family and friends, and involving your pets in the festive meal can make it so much more fun. But it's important to only use ingredients that your pooches and cats can comfortably digest," Mark Spurlock, Head of Technical Services at Bob Martin, says.
"So, make sure that the peanut butter you use for dog treats is xylitol-free, as this can be harmful (luckily, most UK manufactured peanut butters are xylitol free but it’s better safe than sorry). Stay well clear of foods like grapes, raisins, dark chocolate and any other foods that may be toxic to dogs. Then, check any recipes with your vet if you are unsure about whether they will suit the animal's diet."
Remember, always give your dog a tiny portion to try ahead of Christmas day. This will ensure they enjoy it and can digest it comfortably. As well as this, it's also a good idea to check any potential festive treats with your local vet.
Take a look at the simple recipe below:
INGRIEDENTS
- 60g peanut butter
- 7 table spoons wholewheat flour
- 1 egg
- Yoghurt and cranberries
METHOD
1. Melt the peanut butter until it softens, then take it off the heat and mix it with the flour in a bowl.
2. Add the egg, and combine the ingredients into a dough.
3. Then, roll the mixture into balls and place it on a baking tray.
4. Bake the treats at 175°C for 25 minutes or until they look crispy.
5. Allow them to cool, and then add a spoonful of yoghurt and some dried cranberries on the top as decoration. Give to your pup to enjoy over the festivities.
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12 dog winter coats to keep your pups cosy
Keep your pup snug and secure with this thick quilted dog jacket from H&M. Perfect for a winter's walk, it has quilted seams, a stand-up collar with an open front, and a belt with a hook and loop fastening at the back.
Designed to resist whatever the weather throws at you, this waterproof dog coat is ideal for older pups with joint problems or less fur and has a particularly warm inner lining.
Keeping warm and snug just got a whole lot easier thanks to this gorgeous waxed coat from Joules. In olive green, it has a tweed lining and beautiful bee prints.
In a gorgeous white, this pocket-detail faux shearling dog jacket has been designed to add an extra layer of warmth during those cold winter days. It has two small holes for their legs, as well as a zipped pocket on the back.
This thermal dog coat is excellent for winter walks, thanks to its self-heating technology.
"Our reflective technology lining, combined with a hollow fibre core maximises the dog coats thermal properties," say petslovescruffs.com. "The thermal dog coat has a fleece collar and chest pad to provide greater comfort, improved fitment and allow unrestricted movement."
A warm pet coat is great to ward off the chill during winter. Not sure which one to pick up? We love this technical dog parka, which has been specially developed for short-haired dogs and dogs without an undercoat.
In olive green, this luxurious Barbour coat is ideal for dogs who like the finer things in life.
On the hunt for a warm knit jumper? To keep your furry friend extra cosy, why not pick up this Barbour jumper. Boasting a unique design with a roll neck for elite comfort, it's perfect for them to wear on a Christmas Day walk.
READ MORE: The Barbour Christmas advert 2021 stars Paddington Bear and his heart-warming family
Made from super-soft fleece fabric, this blue fluffy coat has teddy bear ears attached to keep your dog warm and cosy. It also has a stretch jersey fabric, making it easy to pull on and off.
William Morris fans will love this adorable reversible dog coat in the brand's classic print. With a water-resistant, waxed cotton outer fabric, it also helps to keep rain off.
OVER GLAM Medium faux leather sleeveless dog jacket
This sleeveless dog jacket looks so cosy! It has small holes for their legs and black poppers to keep them cosy.
In vibrant blue, this microfibre dog coat is light and absorbent to offer protection from getting cold. It has a click fastener on the back and openings for legs and tail.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
