Pet Circle

    Last Updated: 10/02/2026

    Warming Winter Recipes for Dogs and Cats

    Winter is the perfect time for comfort food and snuggles. Help your pet join in the seasonal fun with these easy, healthy, and pet-friendly recipes. From warm chicken soup to carob puppuccinos, discover how to spoil your pet with these winter treats.

    Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)

    Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read

    cat looking on while human cooks

    When the temperature drops and the frost settles on the grass, there is nothing quite like retreating indoors for a soul-warming snack. While we reach for our favourite mugs of cocoa and bowls of steaming soup, our pets often watch from the sidelines with hopeful eyes. Bringing your dog or cat into your winter kitchen rituals is a wonderful way to strengthen your bond and provide extra enrichment during those shorter, colder days. These vet-selected recipes are designed to be safe, nutritious, and "paws-itively" delicious, ensuring your furry companions stay toasty and entertained all winter long.

    In this article

    Puppuccino (Dog Friendly Hot Chocolate)

    dog lying next to puppaccino

    Nothing says winter like Hot Chocolate. Here is an easy dog friendly Puppuccino recipe for those cold winter nights. You can even try it yourself!

    Puppuccino

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups of unsweetened coconut milk
    • 2 tablespoons carob powder (can be purchased from your local health food store)

    Method

    1. Add coconut milk and carob powder to a saucepan
    2. Heat gently and whisk until bubbly
    3. Allow to cool before serving
    4. Sprinkle with additional powder and serve with Howl Yes Peanut Butter Biscuit Bones.
    Suitable for dogs

    Home-Made Chicken Soup

    chicken soup

    Who doesn't love a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter's night. Here is a pet friendly, healthy Chicken Soup recipe you can make for your pet to help warm them up this winter. Serve lukewarm as a treat or ladle over their regular dry or wet food diet as the perfect comforting addition.

    Home-Made Chicken Soup

    Ingredients

    • 4 free range chicken drumsticks, skinned with fat removed
    • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
    • 1 celery stick, chopped
    • 5 parsley stalks
    • 8 cups of water
    • 1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

    Method

    1. Add chicken drumsticks, carrots, celery, parsley stalks and water to a pot
    2. Bring to the boil and gently simmer for 1 hour until the meat is falling off the bones.
    3. Remove the drumsticks and parsley stalks from the pot and carefully remove the meat from the bone. Discard the parsley stalks and bones. (Do not feed the bones to your pet)
    4. Shred the chicken meat and return it to the pot. Add the chopped parsley leaves.
    5. Allow the soup to cool before serving.
    6. Served warm as a treat or ladle over your pet's regular food as a special winter treat!
    Suitable for dogs and cats
    dog and cat on white background

    KONG Stuffers

    dog with classic kong

    KONGs are a great way to keep dogs and cats entertained. Your pet will love these super simple home-made KONG Stuffer recipes. Full of healthy, natural ingredients and packed full of goodness, these recipes can be frozen ahead of time and thawed for an easy mid-week treat.

    For Dogs

    Sunday Chicken Roast

    Ingredients

    • KONG classic
    • 1/2 cup of cooked chicken
    • 1/2 cup of mashed potato
    • 1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrots

    Method

    1. Mix all the ingredients together
    2. Using a spoon fill each KONG to the top
    3. Freeze for a longer lasting treat


    Suitable for dogs

    Pup-permint

    Ingredients

    • KONG classic
    • 1 cup of plain yoghurt
    • 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint
    • 1/4 cup of parsley
    • 1/2 cup of chopped apple
    • KONG paste

    Method

    1. Mix yoghurt, mint, parsley and chopped apple together
    2. Using a spoon fill each KONG to the top
    3. Seal the hole with KONG paste
    4. Freeze for a longer lasting treat

    *recipes care of the KONG company website

    Suitable for dogs

    For Cats

    For cats try the Cat KONG or a Wobbler KONG . You can fill the KONG with treats such as Greenies, Whole Dried Fish or any other small treat.

    For a longer lasting challenge, try filling the inside with liquid treats like the Dine Creamy Treats or Inaba Pastes. For a smell sensation add a spray of Cat Nip.

    Other KONG stuffing ideas

    Tantilising Tongue Twisters

    cat licking wet food from lick mat

    Licking is natural behaviour for cats and dogs. It is not uncommon to find cats grooming themselves for long periods of time or dogs licking their owners or each other in greeting. As well as having a functional purpose for our pets, licking produces a calming affect through the release of endorphins.

    Products such as Lickimat are designed to keep your pet stimulated and entertained, reducing boredom and anxiety as well as slowing those that eat too quickly. The flexible mat design and raised grooves allow food to be spread or sprinkled on the surface and encourage licking to retrieve the tasty treat all while releasing relaxing endorphins.

    There are many different Lickimat designs to choose from. The Tuff Lickimats and Slomo Lickimats are dishwasher safe and microwave friendly, so are a great option for winter time when you may want to warm up your pet's food.

    Smashed Sardine Pate

    Ingredients

    • 2 cans of sardines in spring water, drained
    • 1/2 cup of cottage cheese or natural yoghurt (yoghurt is a better choice for cats)

    Method

    1. Place ingredients in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork to combine
    2. Texture should be smooth with some lumps
    3. Load the Lickimat with mix and smooth over
    4. Mixture will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you have another Lickimat load that and freeze for later

    *recipe care of the LICKIMAT website

    Suitable for dogs and cats
    dog and cat on white background

    Other lick mat ideas

    • Warm porridge- pre-cooked with no sugar
    • Natural Peanut butter- ensure it is Xylitol Free
    • Pumpkin, Sweet Potato or Apple Puree- Why not mix them together and try different combinations
    • Canned fish (salmon, tuna or sardines)
    • Cottage Cheese or Natural Yoghurt
    • Fill with Home-made Chicken Soup (recipe above) or stock

    Home Baked Cookies

    uncooked cookies on baking tray

    Spoil your dog with these easy to make cookies using only 3 ingredients! Healthy, with no hidden nasties, these cookies are quick and easy to make at home and are the perfect treat for your dog!

    Homemade Oat, Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter Cookies

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • 1/2 cup cooked sweet potato, pureed
    • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol free)
    • Bone-shaped cookie cutter

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees
    2. Add oats to a food processor and blend into a fine powder
    3. Add sweet potato and peanut butter and blend until a sticky dough forms
    4. Place between 2 pieces of baking paper or on a lightly floured surface, and roll out to 3mm in thickness
    5. Cut out shapes using a bone-shaped cookie cutter
    6. Place on prepared baking tray and bake for 20-30 minutes until hard and brown on the edges

    * ensure treats are cooled before serving

    Suitable for dogs

    *These recipes and treats are not complete and balanced and are not designed to replace your pet's regular diet. Treats should only be fed in conjunction with a complete and balanced diet. For more information on what diet to feed your pet please contact our vet Discover Page. Check with your vet first to ensure that these treats are suitable for your pet.

    FAQs

    While these winter treats are a fantastic way to spoil your pet, remember that they should be fed in moderation and alongside a complete and balanced diet. Whether you are whisking up a carob puppuccino or stuffing a KONG with a Sunday roast mix, these homemade additions bring a touch of joy to the chilly months. Always monitor your pet when introducing new foods and enjoy the extra winter cuddles that follow a tasty homemade meal.

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    6. History

    Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

    Wed 11 Feb 2026

    Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
    View less history

    About the Author

    vet holding a toy poodle

    Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)

    Veterinarian

    Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.