My favorite part of Christmas is taking the time to buy thoughtful gifts for the people I love. Sometimes that is not easy, though! This Homemade Dog Treat Christmas Gift makes the perfect solution for any dog-lover on your list.
Maybe it’s just me, but I love it when people give me gifts for my dogs during the holidays. It says a lot that people know I adore my dogs. So if you’re struggling with gift ideas for a dog-lover – let me help you make this Homemade Dog Treat Christmas Gift that is certain to win them over!
Bonus? The red and green peppers are the perfect color for Christmas, and they’re healthy low-calorie dog treats. You might even inspire someone to start making or choosing more nutritious treats for their dog in the New Year.
*Always consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog. Be mindful of food sensitivities and introduce new foods slowly. This recipe is simply just a treat for your dog and not meant to replace a full balanced meal or diet.
*This blog may contain affiliate links that allow me to make a small commission if you make a purchase by clicking the links – including Amazon. This is at no additional cost to you and any money I may receive is put right back into this blog. Thank you all so much for your support! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why can’t I buy the red and green treats I see at the pet store instead of making this Homemade Dog Treat Christmas Gift?
I know you’ve seen them. The red and green rawhide gift sets that are perfectly stacked on pet-store shelves. But, please don’t do it! Rawhide is not the best option as a treat for dogs, not to mention the glue they use to make cute rawhide shapes and the dye they use for the classic Christmas colors of red and green.
You can read more about artificial dyes used in dog treats and how to make healthier choices for your dog in this blog post. Plus, there’s something about a handmade gift that speaks to people.
What You’ll Need for these Homemade Christmas Dog Treats
- Red and Green Bell Peppers (Make sure these are Bell Peppers. These are considered safe for dogs according to the AKC. Spicy peppers should never be given to a dog).
- Food Dehydrator
- Glass jars with lids
- Labels for your jars (optional)
- Christmas ribbon (optional)
Benefits of Bell Peppers for Dogs
- Rich in vitamins B6, A, and E.
- They contain beta carotene. Red peppers have more beta carotene than green, yellow, or orange bell peppers. Beta carotene plays a vital role in cell growth.
Homemade Dog Treat Christmas Gift
Course: Dog TreatsCuisine: Dog TreatsDifficulty: Easy10
minutes8
hours8
hours10
minutesIngredients
Three Red Bell Peppers
The Green Bell Peppers
Directions
- Thoroughly wash your bell peppers. Remove the stem, slice both ends off, remove all seeds, and ribs from each pepper.
- Slice each pepper into long strips that are about 1/4 -1/2 inch thick. I do not recommend chopping the peppers into small pieces. They will really shrink up while dehydrating. Long strips are the best option for this recipe.
- Turn the dehydrator to 125 degrees Fahrenheit and dehydrate for 6-24 hours. Bell peppers should be crisp and snap when they are fully dehydrated. (See oven recipe in notes if you don’t have a dehydrator.)
- Place your peppers on your dehydrator trays with space in between for air flow.
Notes
- Dehydration times will vary based on the humidity where you live and how
- You can dehydrate peppers in the oven at 150 Fahrenheit with the oven door slightly cracked open. Oven times may vary greatly. Check after one hour but peppers could take up to 12 hours in the oven.
- *Always consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog. Be mindful of food sensitivities and introduce new foods slowly. This recipe is simply just a treat for your dog and not meant to replace a full balanced meal or diet.
*This blog may contain affiliate links that allow me to make a small commission if you make a purchase by clicking the links – including Amazon. This is at no additional cost to you and any money I may receive is put right back into this blog. Thank you all so much for your support! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*Always consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog. Be mindful of food sensitivities and introduce new foods slowly. This recipe is simply just a treat for your dog and not meant to replace a full balanced meal or diet.
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