While we indulge in cakes, puddings and pies rich in dried fruit and soaked with alcohol, our poor pets look on with longing eyes. But we know raisins, sultanas, chocolate, alcohol and fatty human foods can be dangerous for our furry friends, so before you reach for the turkey skin and leftover cheese here are some DIY treats you can make so they don’t feel left out this Christmas.

Frozen banana and peanut butter dog treats

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• ½ cup smooth peanut butter (zero sugar/sweetener)
• Ice cube tray (even better if it’s novelty shapes)

 Method:

1. Mash together the banana and peanut butter
2. Freeze in the ice cube trays

This two-ingredient, two-step treat couldn’t be easier, why not get the children involved too?

DIY fish cake snacks for cats

Ingredients:

• 2 cups wholewheat flour
• 280g chopped ethically sourced salmon or cod
• 1 large free range egg

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180c
2. Mix all the ingredients together into a dough
3. Flour your surface and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness
4. Use novelty shaped cutters to punch out the treats
5. Bake on an ungreased baking tray for 20 minutes until golden brown.

These crunchy little snacks are perfectly safe for human consumption, so maybe you can share!

‘Sushi’ snacks for rabbits and guinea pigs

Ingredients:

• Courgette
• Yellow pepper
• Apple
• Mint
• Broccoli stalk

Method:

1. Cut your courgette in half width ways and remove the centre so you have a tube
2. Slice your chosen vegetables and hard fruits into sticks so you can pack them into the centre of the courgette tube
3. Slice your large piece of sushi into smaller discs

Not only nutritious and delicious, but beautiful too. Your small furries will love it!

Now, when you sit down for a Christmas film or a game with the family, you can enjoy your treats and your furry friends can enjoy theirs too safe in the knowledge that they won’t get an upset stomach on Boxing Day.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at RSPCA Oxford.