We host Christmas dinner at our home. It's great to have a house full of family, friends, and amazing food. Unfortunately, most of that food gets left behind after the family and friends leave. I use holiday leftovers to make a delicious Christmas dinner for dogs.
Before You Try This Recipe…
It is important to consult a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist before switching your dog to a homemade diet. If you're only using this Christmas dinner for dogs recipe as a treat, that's not a problem. But, if you're planning to make a switch to homemade food permanently, you need to consult a professional beforehand.
Every dog has unique nutritional needs. The recommended protein, calcium, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that their body needs varies depending upon their weight, breed, activity level, and overall health condition.
I cannot recommend this food as the staple diet for any dog. You will need to add additional supplements depending on your pet's nutritional requirements. However, after a chat with your vet, you'll be able to tailor this recipe to your pup's exact needs.
Christmas Dinner for Dogs Made with Leftovers
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. skinless turkey meat (light and/or dark)
- 1 cup oats
- 1 lb. sweet potato
- 2 tbsp. cranberry sauce
- 1 cup peas
- 4 tbsp. turkey gravy (optional)
Serving Size
The serving size for this recipe is about 1/2 cup for every 20-25 pounds of a dog's body weight. It should be served twice a day. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds, they would need to eat approximately 1 cup of this homemade dog food meal in the morning and 1 cup at night.
Directions
The turkey should already be cooked, but you'll need to shred it or cut it into pieces that are appropriately sized for your dog. Cook the oats according to the instructions on the package. I used steel-cut oats, but you can use any type that you may have on hand.
If the sweet potato is raw, you'll need to microwave it until softened. Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
The gravy will add unnecessary calories. If you'd prefer, you can leave it out.
You can use Christmas dinner leftovers, fresh food, or frozen ingredients in this recipe. You can also make substitutions if you'd like to use a different protein source or vegetable. If you made chicken, duck, or goose for Christmas dinner, feel free to use that instead. If you have other dog-friendly leftover vegetables, you can use those instead of the peas.
Note: If you cooked a Christmas ham, DO NOT use it as an ingredient in this or other recipes. Ham and other salty meats are dangerous to dogs due to the preservatives they contain, and especially high amounts of sodium.
Storage
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. You can also freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to three months.
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