Candy Cane Dog Treats
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and, of course, our beloved pets! What better way to include your dog in the festivities than with these adorable and healthy candy cane dog treats? Made with simple, dog-safe ingredients like oat flour, cranberries, and applesauce, these treats are both tasty and gluten-free.
These are a colorful and fun cookie to make. Plus I am also looking to get cranberries into my girls diet as they have bladder issues. As ever, the pack devoured them and tails wagged! It make me want to bake a human version of these too!
The cranberries give a natural color as we are not fans of using food coloring for our dogs (or ourselves too). We prefer the natural flavors. I am not sure what the dogs think, but they eat them quickly!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.
Can Dogs Have Candy Canes?
No, dogs should not have traditional candy canes. Regular candy canes contain ingredients like sugar, artificial sweeteners, and flavorings that can be harmful to dogs. High sugar content is unhealthy for dogs and can lead to weight gain, dental issues, and upset stomach.
Some sugar-free candy canes contain this artificial sweetener, which is highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. While small amounts of natural peppermint are usually safe, concentrated peppermint oil in candy canes may cause digestive upset or other adverse reactions.
Instead, treat your dog with a safe and healthy alternative, like the these homemade candy cane dog cookies!
Ingredients
Just 3 ingredients make these easy holiday dog cookies.
- Cranberries – Gives a natural red hue and add a touch of sweetness and a burst of antioxidants.
- Oat flour – provides a gentle, gluten-free base that’s easy on sensitive tummies. We make our own oat flour by grinding oats in a food processor.
- Applesauce – Ties everything together with a naturally sweet and moist texture. Use homemade unsweetened applesauce.
How to Make Candy Cane Dog Treats
This is a fun cookie to make as well as easy!
Add oat flour and apple in food processor to make a dough.
Remove half of the dough and add the cranberries.
Blend until smooth and colorful.
Roll the dough into strips.
Twist the plain and cranberry strips together and shape.
Bake until golden.
Watch How To Make This
Candy Cane Dog Treat Recipe Tips
If the plain dough is too dry, add more applesauce or water. If the cranberry dough is too wet, add more oat flour.
If fresh or frozen cranberries are unavailable, dried cranberries can be used. Just ensure they’re unsweetened and soak them in warm water before blending.
If the candy cane shape feels too intricate, roll the dough into small balls or use cookie cutters for festive shapes like stars or trees.
Storage
If you want the cookies to last a bit longer, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. We are always cautious about storing dog treats at room temperature purely because we live in a hot humid country. So prefer to keep them in the fridge.
Freezing
For extended storage, place the cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the treats at room temperature before giving them to your dog.
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Enjoy the festive season with these other homemade Christmas Dog Recipes:
Candy Cane Dog Treats
Need Metric Measurements?
Use the button options below to toggle between US cups and Metric grams.
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup apple sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the oat flour and apple sauce in a food processor and blend.
- Remove half of the mixture and set aside. If it feels too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until you achieve a firm but pliable consistency.
- Add the cranberries and blitz until smooth. If the dough feels too wet, add more oat flour.
- Take small pieces of each dough and roll them into thin ropes, about 4–5 inches long.
- Gently twist one plain rope with one cranberry-colored rope to create a striped effect.
- Curve one end to form a candy cane shape and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 15–20 minutes, or until they are firm and lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving to your dog.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.