Now that the feast is over, it’s time to let Fido indulge, too. Take leftovers and make homemade dog treats out of them. Dogs can tell when their people are having special meals and good foods. Everyone gathers while the smells are building and then they all sit down and enjoy, and the pups notice. They want some, too.

Here’s a simple recipe that uses your holiday leftovers and makes the dog happy, as well. Remember, don’t give your dog too many treats because they can get fat, too.

If your dog reacts to eggs or cooked potatoes, this recipe shouldn't be used. A few dogs will react to raw potatoes, but cooked potato flakes are usually digested just fine.

# Cooked Turkey ground or shredded and chopped in small pieces
# 1 cup of sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed, not candied)
# 1large egg (optional)
# 1 cup of leftover vegetables (NOT corn)
# ½ cup of processed cranberries (jellied or preserved)

1.)Crack the egg into a bowl and stir it until it’s well mixed.
2.)Add all the other ingredients and mix well.
3.)Spread evenly on a slightly oiled, rimmed baking sheet ¼ to ½ inch thick.
4.)Cut into bars or squares, depending on the size of the dog.
5.)Bake for 25 minutes.
6.)Remove from the oven and using a spatula turn each one over and return to the oven. Bake for 20 more minutes.

They should be hard and crunchy. Test them out as soon as they’re cooled by giving Fido one.

Often when I make these treats I divide the batch in half and freeze one half and keep the others in the refrigerator. My dog loves the frozen hard ones more than the regular ones. Plus, it’s good for their teeth to have cleansing, crunchy snacks.

Once again, remember that your pooch can get fat, too, and you don’t want that. Giving treats should not replace meals or be given too frequently, just like your treats. I can’t stand it when I see someone’s dog is so fat it can’t scratch it’s own rear end! Your dog will live a longer, healthier, more comfortable life if he’s not overweight.