There’s something magical about December evenings, chilly air, the glow of fairy lights, and the smell of something warm cooking in the kitchen. And if you’re a pet parent, you know exactly who is sitting right under the counter, tail thumping, hoping all that deliciousness is for them too.
This Christmas, if you’re planning to make something extra-special for your furry family member, you’re not alone. Every year, pet parents across the country look up “Christmas pet treats,” “dog-safe holiday food,” “cat Christmas recipes,” and a dozen variations because the holidays just feel more complete when our pets are part of the celebrations.
The good news? Creating festive, safe dishes for pets is surprisingly simple. With a mix of home ingredients and a few ready-to-use favourites from Zigly like fresh meals, broths, gravies, and wet food, you can serve up Christmas comfort that’s wholesome, warm, and tail-wag approved.
Before We Start: A Quick Safety Note
Pets can’t have everything we do. So this holiday season, avoid ingredients like chocolate, raisins, alcohol, onion, garlic, xylitol, heavy creams, fried food, and anything too salty or sugary.
Stick to pet-friendly ingredients, keep portions small, and always introduce new food slowly.
1. The Cosy Christmas Stew (Dog-Friendly)
A warm, hearty meal perfect for cold winter nights.
You’ll Need:
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1 cup boiled chicken or turkey (shredded)
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½ cup carrots, diced
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½ cup green beans
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¼ cup pumpkin or sweet potato mash
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A splash of Zigly’s bone broth (adds flavour + gut comfort)
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A spoonful of Zigly fresh food for added nutrition
How to Make It: Sauté the veggies in a bit of water until soft. Add the shredded chicken and pour in Zigly bone broth to bring everything together. Once warm, stir in a spoonful of Zigly fresh food for richness. Serve slightly warm and watch the bowl get licked clean.
2. Christmas Morning “Paw-Cake” (Cats & Dogs)
A fluffy, festive treat that feels like a holiday breakfast.
You’ll Need:
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1 egg
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2 tbsp oat flour or regular flour
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1 tbsp mashed banana or pumpkin
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1 tbsp Zigly wet food (for cats, choose fish/chicken variants; for dogs, chicken/lamb)
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Tiny dash of water
How to Make It: Mix all ingredients till smooth. Cook on a non-stick pan like a mini pancake. Top it with a tiny spoon of wet food as “frosting”.
3. Holiday Broth Bowls (Perfect for Senior Pets)
Warm, hydrating, and gentle on the tummy, great for seniors or picky eaters.
You’ll Need:
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Cooked rice or kibble
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1–2 tbsp shredded boiled chicken/fish
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Warm Zigly chicken broth
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Optional: a little pumpkin puree
How to Make It: Place rice/kibble in a bowl, add the protein, and pour warm broth until it becomes soupy and comforting.
4. Santa’s Snack Bites (Baked Treats for Dogs)
Perfect little bites for holiday movie nights or gifting other pet parents.
You’ll Need:
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1 cup oat flour
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½ cup pumpkin or carrot puree
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1 egg
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1–2 tbsp Zigly fresh chicken meal (acts like a flavour booster)
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Splash of water if needed
How to Make It: Mix everything into a soft dough, roll it out, and cut into tiny shapes, stars, trees, stockings, whatever screams Christmas. Bake at 160°C for 10–12 minutes. Store in an airtight container for a week.
5. The Christmas Feast Bowl (For Cats)
Cats love food that’s moist, meaty, and aromatic. This one feels like a festive Sunday roast but cat-approved.
You’ll Need:
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2–3 tbsp Zigly tuna/chicken wet food
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1 tbsp boiled shredded chicken or fish
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1 tbsp warm broth
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A spoonful of steamed pumpkin
How to Make It: Blend everything lightly with a fork, not fully mashed, just enough to bring flavours together. Serve slightly warm to boost aroma (cats love warm food).
A Few More Festive Tips for Pet Parents
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Serve everything warm, never hot.
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Keep portions small to avoid tummy issues.
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If guests are around, remind them not to feed table scraps.
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Add a Christmas bandana or bow to make mealtime photos adorable.
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Always check with your vet if your pet has allergies or health issues. (Zigly’s vets at our centres are always happy to guide you!)
Conclusion
No matter how busy the season gets, the shopping, decorating, gifting your pet always finds a way to make it softer and sweeter. A warm nose nudging your hand, a tail softly wagging beside the tree, a purr that melts away the winter rush.
So this Christmas, if you’re cooking something special for everyone, why not for them too? With a few easy ingredients and Zigly’s wet food, broths, and fresh meals, you can whip up cosy, festive recipes that make them feel just as celebrated as the rest of the family.
