The number of servings will vary depending on the choice of treat shapes. Keep in mind—never allow nutmeg or sugar-free products with Xylitol in dog treats.

Gingerbread Cookies

Even though this recipe is similar to a gingerbread recipe for us, it’s important to never use nutmeg with canine recipes. Nutmeg is toxic to dogs.

1½ cups flour 1 Tbsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ cup molasses ¼ cup filtered water 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 325° F.

Combine dry ingredients and mix together.

In a separate bowl, combine the molasses, water and vegetable oil and mix together.

Using a wooden spoon, slowly mix the liquid into the flour mixture. Stir well until dough has a uniform color.

Roll dough ¼-inch thick on floured surface. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes. Allow cookies to cool completely before feeding. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Blue Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup oats 1 cup flaxseed 1 cup blueberries 2 cups whole wheat flour ½ cup plain yogurt Filtered water as needed

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a food processor or coffee grinder, turn oats into oatmeal powder and grind flaxseed if necessary.

Purée the blueberries.

Combine dry ingredients. Fold in the yogurt and blueberry purée. Add a little water to create smooth dough.

Spoon dough into hands and form small dough balls. Shape into cookies and arrange them on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, then flip and bake an additional 10 minutes. Cool completely before feeding.

Pumpkin Cookies

1½ cups oat flour 1½ cups brown rice flour ½ canned pumpkin, look for BPA-free cans (use plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling) 1 egg 2 Tbsp molasses 1 Tbsp honey Filtered water as needed

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add water slowly until dough forms a ball.

Roll dough ¼-inch thick on floured surface. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes. Arrange on a greased cookie sheet.

Let treats cool completely before allowing dogs a taste test. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or freeze for later use.

Recipes courtesy of Birgit Walker, author of Chew on This: Homemade Dog Treat Recipes, in Phoenix.