Celebrate Christmas with your pets by curating this delicious food menu for them

Inspired by her seven-year-old beagle Pacho, who was severely allergic to store-bought treats, Gaargi Prehar has been whipping up pet-friendly treats since 2019 at her bakery, Puplords in Lokhandwala. Here are two simple no-sugar, gluten-free, and guilt-free recipes from her cookbook.

Coconut banana snowballs

INGREDIENTS
>> 1 ripe banana
>> 1/2 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
>> 2-3 tbsp plain, unsweetened dog-safe yogurt (for coating)

METHOD
Mash the banana until smooth. Mix in the desiccated coconut to form a soft dough. Roll into mini balls. Lightly roll each ball in yogurt to coat. Re-roll the yogurt-coated balls in desiccated coconut to recoat. Chill for one to two hours to set.

Gingerbread cookie

Pics Courtesy/GaarGi Prehar, PUPLORDS

INGREDIENTS
>> 1/2 cup oat flour
>> 1/4 cup pumpkin puree or unsweetened apple sauce
>> 1 tsp unsweetened peanut butter (xylitol-free)
>> 1/4 tsp ginger powder
>> 1/4 tsp cinnamon
>> 1-2 tsp water (if needed)

METHOD
Preheat the oven to 160°C. Mix pumpkin/apple sauce, peanut butter, ginger, and cinnamon. Add oat flour and mix into a soft dough. Add water only if the dough feels dry. Roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into small shapes, or use a gingerbread man-shaped mould. Place on a lined tray. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until firm. Cool completely before serving.

Vet knows best

Dr Akshay Shah

City veterinarian Dr Akshay Shah warns pet parents to keep any treats with these ingredients out of reach:
>> Chocolate: Contains theobromine and causes vomiting, tremors, seizures, cardiac issues
>> Grapes and raisins: May cause acute kidney failure
>> Onion and garlic: Can damage red blood cells leading to anaemia
>> Xylitol: A sugar-free sweetener, can cause sudden drop in blood sugar and liver failure
>> Alcohol: Consumption can be fatal

Canine-happy treats

PIC COURTESY/ Frostreats

>> Cool treats

Frostreats’ Mango, Blueberry, Cookie and Cream or Vanilla flavoured sugar-free lactose-free ice-cream options make it a safe and indulgent treat.
LOG ON TO frostreats.com
COST Rs 140 (125 ml cup)

>> Healthy bites

PIC COURTESY/APETTERLIFE

A Petter Life’s Christmas cupcakes might look indulgent, but they pack a punch of protein with paneer and chicken. This kitchen uses natural pigments made from beetroot, spirulina and turmeric.
LOG ON TO apetterlife.in
COST Rs 325 onwards (2 pieces)

>> Cake cravings

Go all out, and get a customised Christmas cake for your four-legged companion. Bombay Barkers offers salt-free, sugar-free, and all-natural cakes.
CALL 9920816671
COST Revealed on request