Last Updated: 17/02/2026
Homemade Winter Recipes for Pets
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 10 minutes - short read
Nothing beats the winter blues quite like homemade comfort foods. So why should this be any different for our furry companions?
Keep your pet warm this winter with these hearty and nutritious winter-inspired pet friendly treats. All vet approved, choose from recipes such as a wholesome chicken congee, a delicious brunch omelette, warming winter drinks and much more. There are even homemade treats for your pocket pets!
Spend some quality time with your pet this winter, whipping up these delicious homemade treats to warm them up and spoil them!
Salmon, Zucchini and Cheese Brunch Omelette
Delicious and healthy, this salmon, zucchini and cheese omelette is the perfect treat for a lazy Sunday brunch. Salmon, a great source of protein and rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, has been shown to have a range of health benefits such as healthy skin, anti-inflammatory properties and increased brain function and development.
This recipe has been finished with a sprinkling of Nutritional Yeast Flakes. Nutritional Yeast is available at most leading supermarkets and has some amazing health properties including high levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid, nine essential amino acids and is an excellent source of fibre. This superfood can be sprinkled onto your pets food or treats daily for a healthy boost!
For a longer lasting challenge, try cutting up this omelette and adding it to your dog's favourite KONG or West Paw toy.
Salmon, Zucchini and Cheese Brunch Omelette
Ingredients
- olive oil spray
- 1/2 medium zucchini, grated
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 50g tinned salmon in springwater, boneless and skinless
- 2 tbsp grated cheese (cheddar, parmesan or mozzarella)
- 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast Flakes (can be purchased from most leading supermarkets)
Method
- Heat a small non-stick pan. Spray with a little olive oil and sautee zucchini for 1-2 minutes until cooked
- Add the egg mix to the pan and gently fork through until it begins to set
- Add the flaked salmon and grated cheese to one half
- Using a spatula fold one side of the omelette into the centre, tilt the pan and fold over the other side
- Slide onto serving plate and allow to cool
- Sprinkle with Nutritional Yeast Flakes before serving
Winter Warming Drinks
Warm your pet up on a cold winter night with these pet friendly warming drinks. Try our easy puppuccino recipe made with lactose free pet milk and pet safe carob. Cats will love the relaxing qualities of cat nip infused tea in a tasty and nutritious bone broth.
Catnip Tea
Ingredients
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1-2 grams of Fur Fresh Bone Broth Topper or low salt Chicken or Fish Stock Concentrate
- 1-2 teaspoons of catnip
Method
- Add the dried or fresh catnip to a tea infuser
- Add the Bone Broth Concentrate to the hot water and mix to dissolve.
- Pour the broth mixture over the catnip and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes
- Allow to cool to lukewarm before serving (can include leaves)
- Serve with Churu creamy treat for an extra treat
Puppuccino
Ingredients
- 2 cups of K9 Natural Lactose Free Milk or coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons carob powder (can be purchased from your local health food store)
Method
- Add milk and carob powder to a saucepan
- Heat gently and whisk until bubbly
- Allow to cool before serving
- Sprinkle with additional powder and serve with Mimi and Munch Peanut Butter Dipper Bones
Chicken Congee
Hearty and nutritious, this chicken congee recipe is mild on sensitive tummies and makes the perfect winter comfort food for dogs and cats.
Chicken Congee
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup of jasmine rice
- 400g of chicken, thigh or breast, fat removed
- 8 cups of water
- 10g fresh ginger, finely sliced or grated
- 1 tsp Bone Broth Concentrate or low salt Chicken Stock Concentrate
Chicken Marinade
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp warm water
- 1 tbsp low salt soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Bone Broth Concentrate or low salt Chicken Stock Concentrate
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Method
- Wash rice in a bowl 3 times until the water runs clear
- Slice the chicken and place in a bowl. Add the soy sauce (1 tbsp), water (2 tbsps), cornflour (2 tsp) and Bone Broth Concentrate (1/2 tsp). Mix and massage the chicken to coat. Once mixed add the vegetable oil (2 tbsp) and then massage to coat.
- Place water in a large pot and bring to the boil. Add the rice and stir. Cover and cook on a medium heat for approx 25 minutes
- After 25 minutes check the rice. When it is soft and cooked through, whisk the rice mixture for 2-3 minutes on medium heat to break down the rice pieces
- Set the stove to a high heat and add the marinaded chicken slowly, a little at a time, stirring constantly
- Stir for another 2 minutes until chicken is cooked through
- Add fresh ginger and Bone Broth Concentrate (1 tsp) and stir to combine
- Cool and then it is ready to serve!
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tsp butter or margarine
- 3/4 cup Lactose Free Milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°C
- Mix flour and baking powder together. Add the butter and rub into the dry ingredients using your finger tips
- Combine egg, milk and honey in a separate bowl. Add to dry ingredients and mix until just combined
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and pat down to around 3cm thickness
- Cut out with a biscuit cutter and place on lined baking tray with biscuits just touching
- Bake in preheated over for 15 minutes or until brown on top
- Cool before serving
Pawsome Blueberry Biscuits
Your dog will love these decadent homemade biscuit treats. Packed full of blueberries, which are not just delicious but are a natural superfood known for their antioxidant health benefits.
Paw-some Blueberry Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tsp butter or margarine
- 3/4 cup Lactose Free Milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°C
- Mix flour and baking powder together. Add the butter and rub into the dry ingredients using your finger tips
- Combine egg, milk and honey in a separate bowl. Add to dry ingredients and mix until just combined
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and pat down to around 3cm thickness
- Cut out with a biscuit cutter and place on lined baking tray with biscuits just touching
- Bake in preheated over for 15 minutes or until brown on top
- Cool before serving
Tuna Bites
So easy to make, these delicious cat treats are packed full of tuna which cats love, while being rich in omega 3 fatty acids.
Tuna Bites
Ingredients
- 115g can tuna in spring water, drained
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 tbsp catnip
- 1 egg
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until a smooth, thick dough forms
- Roll dough into balls approx 1/4 teaspoon size and place on lined baking trays. Slightly flatten each ball
- Bake for approx 15 minutes or until golden
- Allow to cool before serving
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Can be frozen
Sweet Potato Chews
Great for dogs with sensitive tummies or those that suffer from food intolerances, these sweet potato chews are completely natural, healthy and so easy to make.
Sweet Potato Dog Chews
Ingredients
- 2 orange sweet potatoes
Method
- Preheat oven to 130oC
- Wash sweet potatoes
- Slice or use a mandolin to cut the potatoes into 1/2 cm thick slices- cut into rounds for smaller dogs, or long slices for larger dogs
- Place in a single layer on a baking tray and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours, flipping once
- Allow to cool
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks
Do you have a pet on a veterinary prescription diet and struggle to find treats for them? Hill's Prescription Dog and Cat diets can be made into healthy homemade treats without affecting your pet's diet. Check out the following links: Healthy Homemade Dog Treats or Healthy Homemade Cat Treats.
Healthy West Paw Stuffers
Image from West Paw Instagram
West Paw have developed a range of safe, durable and responsibly made interactive toys for dogs. Made from recycled ocean-bound plastic and zero-waste Zogoflex.
West Paw products are not just great for playing and chewing, but make fantastic treat dispensers that will keep your dog busy for hours. Try one of our healthy West Paw Stuffer recipes, suitable for use with the West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi. You can even come up with your own recipes at home. The options for your dog are only limited by your imagination!
Breakfast of Champions
Makes 3 servings
Ingredients
- West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi Interactive Toy
- 1 cup of plain unsweetened porridge
- 1/4 cup of frozen or fresh berries- strawberry, blueberry or raspberry
Method
- Prepare the porridge according to directions and allow to cool and thicken
- Add 1-3 berries to the porrige mix depending on the size of your dog and the toy, and smash them up and spread them around
- Fill the West Paw Toy with the mixture. For an extra challenge, freeze the mixture inside the toy
Chicken Licken' Good
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
- West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi Interactive Toy
- 1 cooked chicken breast or 1 cup of left over chicken (no skin, bones or seasoning)
- 1/2 cup Bone Broth
Method
- Cut up chicken into small pieces suited for the size of your dog
- Stuff chicken into toy
- Fill remaining space with chicken broth and freeze
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Makes 5 servings
Ingredients
- West Paw Toppl, West Paw Tux or West Paw Tizzi Interactive Toy
- 1 soft, ripe banana
- 1/2 cup Xylitol-free Peanut Butter
- 250mL plain (unsweetened) yoghurt
- Optional: Bully stick size small or medium
Method
- Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth
- Pour into toy
- Top with Bully Stick and freeze for an extra challenge
*recipes care of the West Paw company website
Other great West Paw stuffing ideas:
Small Pet Treats
Spoil your pocket pet with these delicious homemade treats and foraging ideas to keep them happy and entertained.
Banana Hay Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Timothy Hay: Cut into very small pieces or use the "hay dust" from the bottom of the bag.
- 1/2 cup Oxbow Timothy Pellets: Ground into a fine powder (you can use a blender or food processor or crush manually).
- 1/2 Ripe Banana: Mashed thoroughly
- 1/4 cup Water: Added slowly to reach a dough-like consistency.
Instructions
- Preheat: Set your oven to 150°C (300°F). Low and slow is better to preserve the nutrients.
- Mix Dry: In a bowl, combine the chopped hay and the powdered pellets.
- Mix Wet: Add the mashed banana to the dry mixture.
- Form Dough: Slowly add water one tablespoon at a time. Mix until you have a stiff, tacky dough that holds its shape.
- Shape: Roll the dough into small balls (about the size of a marble) or flatten it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and score it into small squares.
- Bake: Bake for about 30–40 minutes.
- Dehydrate: Turn the oven off and leave the biscuits inside for another hour to get them extra crunchy. This helps prevent mold during storage.
Foraging Fun
Ingredients
- Haypigs Circus 3-in-1 Treat Ball
- Assortment of fresh herbs- some safe options include mint, basil, parsley, oregano and rocket
- Assortment of fresh vegetables- some safe options include silverbeet, celery, carrot tops/leaves, rocket, kale and spinach.
- 1-2 sultanas or dried cranberries
Method
- Place 1-2 sultanas or cranberries into the centre of the Haypigs Circus 3-in-1 Treat Ball
- Take your fresh herbs and vegetable and stick them into the star shaped holes of the ball. Ensure the sultanas/ cranberries are buried to encourage foraging behaviour
More Treat Ideas for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
- Fruit- apple, pear, banana
- Berries- strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry
- Edible flowers- rose, nasturtium, marigold, dandelion, lavender
- Farm Fresh Harvest Blend Signature Forage for Small Pets
- Dried fruit- sultanas or dried cranberries
- Oxbow Timothy Treats
- Oxbow Timothy Hay Twists
IMPORTANT: The above treats should only be offered very sparingly to small pets due to their sensitive digestive tracts. Any new food or treats should be introduced slowly to your rabbit or guinea pig to reduce the risk of gut stasis. A treat the size of a 10 cent coin should only be given 2-3 times per week. Gut stasis is a digestive issue affecting rabbits and guinea pigs that can cause serious illness and even death. For more information on how to prevent this condition, read our veterinary written article: Gut Stasis in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs.
Looking for more information on what to feed your rabbit or guinea pig? Read our helpful veterinary written article What to Feed Rats, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Ferrets.
*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 to feed your pet please contact our vets Discover Page. Check with your vet first to ensure that these treats are suitable for your pet. Treats should not make up more than 10% of your pets overall calorie intake.
Further Reading
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
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.
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
