DIY CBD-Infused Pet Treats for the Holidays
The Joy of DIY Pet Treats During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for sharing, celebration, and togetherness. It’s also a perfect opportunity to include pets in the festivities safely. While commercial treats are widely available, making DIY CBD-infused pet treats allows pet parents to:
- Control ingredients for safety and quality
- Adjust flavors and textures to suit their pet
- Incorporate wellness-supporting CBD as part of a festive treat
- Engage in fun, hands-on holiday activities
*These recipes are intended for informational purposes only and should be adapted based on your pet’s individual needs.
Fun Fact: Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds (compared to humans’ 9,000), meaning they experience flavors differently — they often prefer simple, savory, or meaty flavors over overly sweet ones. Cats, even more selective, tend to prefer protein-rich options.
Why Use CBD in Holiday Treats?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), helping regulate mood, stress, comfort, and internal balance. Including CBD in treats during holidays can support pets by:
- Encouraging calm during family gatherings or busy events
- Reducing mild anxiety caused by guests, noise, or routine changes
- Supporting overall wellness, including joint comfort and skin health
Happy Pet Medicinals’ CBD products are:
- Third-party tested for quality and potency
- Made in the USA using pet-safe, plant-based ingredients
- Formulated for safe use in both dogs and cats
Using these products ensures that DIY treats provide wellness support without harmful additives or unexpected THC exposure.
Safety First: Guidelines for CBD Pet Treats
Before creating treats, it’s important to understand safety considerations:
- Use Pet-Specific CBD: Never use human CBD products; they may contain unsafe ingredients or THC.
- Measure Carefully: Follow dosage guidelines based on pet size and weight.
- Check Ingredients: Avoid chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, and other toxic foods.
- Introduce Slowly: Start with a small treat and observe your pet’s response before offering more.
Fun Fact: Xylitol, a sugar substitute common in human holiday baking, can be extremely toxic to dogs, causing rapid insulin release and low blood sugar — even small amounts can be dangerous.
Essential Ingredients for DIY CBD Pet Treats
Common ingredients for safe, festive pet treats include:
- Whole wheat or oat flour: Gentle on digestion, but gluten-free alternatives like rice or coconut flour work for sensitive pets
- Pumpkin puree: Supports digestion and is rich in fiber
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free): A favorite flavor for dogs, rich in healthy fats
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and mild sweetness
- Shredded carrots or sweet potato: Provides texture, flavor, and vitamins
- Infusion from Happy Pet Medicinals: Supports calm, comfort, and overall wellness
Fun Fact: Dogs have a keen sense of smell — they detect scents up to 100,000 times more acutely than humans. Treats that combine CBD with strong, pet-friendly aromas (like peanut butter or pumpkin) are usually more enticing.
DIY CBD Dog Treat Recipes
1. Holiday Peanut Butter CBD Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- ½ cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1–2 tsp Happy Pet Medicinals infusion (per dosing guidelines)
- Optional: small dog-friendly holiday-shaped cookie cutters
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix all ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
- Roll out dough and cut into shapes or small bite-sized balls.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until firm but not browned.
- Cool completely before serving.
Serving Tip: Start with one small treat and monitor your dog’s reaction before giving more.
2. Pumpkin Carrot CBD Chews
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut flour
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup finely shredded carrots
- 1 tsp Happy Pet Medicinals infusion
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Mix ingredients into a pliable dough.
- Press dough into silicone molds or small squares.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm.
- Cool and store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Fun Fact: Coconut flour is high in fiber and absorbs moisture well, making treats slightly denser and easier to portion for small dogs.
DIY CBD Cat Treat Recipes
Cats are often more selective, so keeping treats simple, protein-forward, and small is ideal.
1. Tuna CBD Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 can of tuna in water, drained
- 1 cup oat or rice flour
- 1 tsp Happy Pet Medicinals infusion
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix ingredients into a soft dough.
- Shape into small bite-sized pieces.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until firm.
- Cool completely before serving.
Serving Tip: Offer only one or two small treats at a time — cats rarely require larger quantities.
2. Chicken & Pumpkin CBD Snacks
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cooked chicken, shredded
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup oat flour
- ½ tsp Happy Pet Medicinals infusion
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine ingredients and knead into a dough.
- Roll into small balls or press into silicone molds.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until set.
- Cool completely before serving.
Fun Fact: Cats have very few taste buds for sweetness — they are more responsive to protein and umami flavors. Pumpkin or other veggies are tolerated mainly for texture and fiber.
Tips for Holiday Treat Success
- Start Small: Observe how your pet reacts to CBD-infused treats before offering larger quantities.
- Store Properly: Keep homemade treats in airtight containers or refrigerate to maintain freshness.
- Balance Diet: Treats should complement, not replace, daily nutrition.
- Create Variety: Rotate flavors and textures to keep pets interested and engaged.
- Make It Fun: Use festive cookie cutters or sprinkle safe, colorful pet-friendly ingredients for holiday cheer.
Fun Facts About Pets and the Holidays
- Dogs and cats are highly sensitive to routine changes — even a few hours of schedule disruption can cause stress.
- Many pets prefer interaction and mental stimulation over extra food — treats are most effective when paired with play.
- The scent of pumpkin or peanut butter can trigger positive anticipation in dogs, enhancing the calming effects of CBD.
- Using CBD in small, controlled doses ensures wellness support without sedating or overwhelming pets.
Safety and Quality Reminders
For DIY CBD treats:
- Always use pet-specific, third-party tested CBD
- Follow dosage recommendations for your pet’s size and age
- Avoid ingredients toxic to pets: chocolate, xylitol, grapes, onions, or garlic
- Observe your pet after the first few treats to ensure tolerance
Happy Pet Medicinals provides safe, consistent, and tested products, making DIY holiday treats both fun and effective for wellness support.
Key Takeaways
DIY CBD-infused treats allow pet parents to:
- Include pets safely in holiday celebrations
- Support calm, comfort, and emotional balance
- Promote skin, coat, and overall wellness
- Control ingredients and dosage for safety and personalization
When combined with environmental care and routine maintenance, CBD treats provide a holistic approach to holiday pet wellness.
Celebrate the holidays with pets safely and joyfully.
Explore Happy Pet Medicinals’ products — third-party tested, plant-based, and made in the USA. Create DIY treats that support calm, comfort, and wellness for dogs and cats this season.
