No matter what team you and your pets are rooting for this weekend, one thing we can all agree on is that game day is for tasty snacks. And your pets deserve some special treats as well!
As you know, there are many human foods that can be dangerous for your pets. So, we want to give you some easy-to-make treat recipes for your dogs and cats to enjoy during the Big Game.
Some tips before you start: If you plan to include animal-based foods, please check out our list of welfare-certified options! Other easy treats to include in your pet-friendly spread that require minimal preparation are frozen blueberries, popcorn (without seasoning or butter) and Cheerios®. Remember, pet snacks should only be given in moderation.
Game on, let’s get snacking!
Gameday Doggie Nachos
Ingredients:
- 1 can of dog food (your dog’s preference)
- ¼ cup of shredded raw carrots
- 2-3 raw green beans—chopped
- Frozen blueberries
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread canned dog food evenly on parchment paper on an oven-safe baking sheet. Bake for 20-40 minutes, or until crispy. The time will vary depending on the canned food of your choice. Once crispy, remove tray from the oven and allow to cool. Cut crispy canned food into triangles resembling “chips”. Then layer the shredded carrots, chopped green beans and frozen blueberries on top. Give to your dog and let the party begin!
Gameday Kitty Nachos
Ingredients:
- 1 can of cat food (your cat’s preference or prescription diet)
- 1-2 tsp of catnip
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread combined cat food and catnip evenly on parchment paper on an oven-safe baking sheet. Bake for 10-30 minutes or until crispy. The cooking time will vary depending on the canned food of your choice. Once crispy, remove from the oven and allow to cool. Cut crispy canned food into small triangular pieces and then allow your cat to enjoy!
Tuna Touchdown Treats
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup of whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp catnip
- 1 can of tuna in water (swap in salmon or chicken, based on your cat’s preference). You can identify better chicken-based pet food by looking for products that have an animal welfare certification. See our list of pet—and human—food products that have higher standards.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all your ingredients, it should form the consistency of a dough. You can add more flour or egg to achieve this consistency. Then create small balls and round them into football shapes. If you prefer, you can roll out the dough and use a cookie cutter of your choice. Spread them on a baking sheet and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until slightly crispy. Allow to cool before giving to your feline friend.
Catnip Kitty Cubes
Ingredients:
- Leftover tuna juice from canned tuna with water
- 1 tbsp of fine chopped tuna from can
- 3 tbsp of water
- 1 tsp of catnip
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients and place into a silicon moldable tray. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours, or until frozen. Remove ice cubes from the tray and let your feline have at it! Depending on the size of your molds, you may need to double recipe.
Peanut Butter, Pumpkin, and Oat Football Treats
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 cup of pure pumpkin (no spices added)
- ¾ cup of regular oatmeal
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients together and then mold into football shapes. You can use oats or cheerios to create the appearance of football lacing to be more festive! Place in fridge for 1-2 hours and then give to your dogs to enjoy when chilled.
Frozen Delight Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup of peanut butter (make sure there’s no xylitol in it)
- 1 banana
Directions:
Combine and mash all of the ingredients together. Put mixture into your favorite moldable silicon tray, or in a dog toy designed for treats. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Once frozen, if using a silicon tray for molds, remove frozen treat and give to your pet to enjoy. If using a toy, simply give your pet the treat-filled toy to enjoy once frozen.
Pro-Tip: Use any extra filling leftover to fill an interactive toy for your dog, like a Kong! Just be sure to freeze it for maximum enrichment time.
While making tasty treats for your furry friends, always be sure to verify that the ingredients do not contain anything potentially toxic. Some common Super Bowl foods that can be harmful to your pets are onions, chives, garlic, chicken wings with bones, foods with high fat or sugar amounts, chocolate and sugar substitutes such as xylitol. Alcohol is also a big “no-no” for your pets; they prefer refreshing water to wash it all down.
If you use any or all of these recipes, be sure to tag us in your photos on Facebook or Instagram! Have a fun and safe weekend!
If you believe your pet has ingested something potentially toxic, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
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