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If you enjoy a little grog or spiked eggnog this time of year to ward off the chill or at holiday parties, you may be wondering if there are any festive beverages that your furry snuggle buddy can enjoy too.
As I’m sure most pet parents are aware, alcohol is an absolute no-no for pets any time of year – even a small amount can cause brain and liver damage. And many holiday foods and spices are also off limits, but you can still put together some healthy ingredients in a holiday mocktail that your pooch will enjoy and your party guests will get a kick out of – even if they tease you about being a crazy dog person.
Here are a few options:
All recipes take about 5 minutes to prepare
Dog-friendly Pumpkin Spice Puppuccinos
Recipe from Sarah of Lolathepitty.com
Why should humans be the only ones to enjoy pumpkin spice mania this time of year? Sure, some pumpkin spices are bad for dogs (see nutmeg) but the pumpkin itself is a healthy treat, and cinnamon may have some beneficial properties. In a nod to Starbucks’ obsession with pumpkin spice and their dog-friendly menu item the “puppuccino” (whipped cream in a small cup), this recipe is quick, easy and delicious.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (unsweetened) coconut milk (Can sub with almond milk or goat milk)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup pure pumpkin
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until well mixed. Pour into small serving cups (or freeze using ice cube trays).
Saint Nick’s ‘Eggnog’
Recipe inspiration from SimplyTaraLynn
Again, real eggnog should not be given to dogs, alcoholic or not. It’s loaded with fat, sugar, milk, and raw eggs, all bad for dogs (and people too, but that’s for another blog to worry about) but you can whip up something creamy that looks like eggnog for your party animal.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup ice
- 1 cooked egg
- 6 oz plain Greek yogurt
- ½ banana
Instructions
Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top to make it look festive.
Gingerbread man banana tea
Recipe inspiration from Golden Woofs
Gingerbread is a holiday classic and it does have at least one ingredient that is good for dogs – the ginger itself, which has been used to ease vomiting and for bloat. The addition of banana to this tea adds potassium and magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C and fiber.
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- ½ tsp. fresh grated ginger
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
Instructions: Boil water. Cut off both ends of banana, and then cut in half. Place the banana and ginger in water. Boil for about 10 – 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat. Put the lid on it and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain the water and pour into a mug. Refrigerate overnight. Serve it with small pieces of frozen banana.
Healthy Green Smoothie
Recipe from Irresistablepets.net
Here’s a guilt-free drink that both you and your pooch can enjoy. The green color signifies health but also celebrates the evergreen associated with Christmas. One healthy green smoothie gets in all of a person’s daily required fruits and vegetables, and all these ingredients have vitamins and antioxidants that are good for dogs too. Serve in small quantities as the fruit has natural sugar, which should be limited for pets.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of leafy greens such as kale or spinach
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries or blueberries
- 1 banana
- ½ cup water
- Handful of peanuts (optional)
Instructions: Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until it reaches a smooth consistency.
Dog Wine
Yes, there is such a thing as dog wine, although it scarcely resembles the human variety. Dog wine is non-alcoholic and specially formulated for dogs with filtered water, infused with organic bacon extract and enriched with salmon oil, said to be great for skin and shiny coats. You can fetch options such as ZinfanTail, CharDOGnay and Malbark on Apollo Peak’s web site and some specialty shops. They even have a champagne equivalent for New Year’s celebrations – Dog Pawrignon!
Dog Beer
Dog beer has become so popular that several companies make it. Again, none have alcohol, carbonation, hops or added salt or fat, and instead contain ingredients such as bone broth, turmeric, ginger, oranges, carrots, basil, cilantro, fennel and filtered water. Good Boy Dog Beer has flavors based on chicken, beef, peanut butter and veggie. Choose from Mailman Malt Licker, Session Squirrel or Crotch Sniffin’ Ale. Bowser Beer For Dogs also contains glucosamine (good for joint health) and malt barley (high in vitamin B).
You may want to buy dog beer in small quantities as about half the reviewers on Amazon reported their dogs wouldn’t drink any flavor of the Bowser Beer.
Drink a toast to including your dog in your holiday celebrations and finding sneaky ways to give them foods that will provide healthy vitamins, supplements and fiber and none of the bad stuff.
