Charcuterie boards are all the rage right now and with good reason. Without a doubt, a good charcuterie board can make a boring event a little more tolerable. We’ve all occupied ourselves by sampling the cheese assortment to avoid conversation. After a long day, unwinding with a personal charcuterie board instead of actually cooking feels pampering and a little bit upscale.
Why not pamper your pup with their own charcuterie board? Charcuterie for dogs, “barkuterie”, has taken social media and dog lovers by storm. What’s wrong with treating your dog to a gourmet treat? A barkuterie board is a good snack idea for dogs on a playdate. Serve one up at your next get-together to keep your dog away from the human food.
You don’t have to special order a barkuterie board. Flex your creativity and arrange a delectable plate of dog-friendly delicacies in your own kitchen. Not sure what to put on your dog’s barkuterie board? We have healthy ideas that your dog will certainly love. These ideas will keep your dog’s diet healthy and balanced while still showing them what a good dog they are.
What To Include On Your Barkuterie Board
It’s important to make sure every single ingredient on your dog’s barkuterie board is dog safe. If you have a dog with a particularly sensitive tummy, make sure to check with your vet before serving up the barkuterie board.
Fruits and Vegetables
Add some variety and color to your dog’s barkuterie board with a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables. Pick low-calorie, high fiber fruits and vegetables that will add beneficial vitamins and nutrients to your pup’s diet. Some dog safe options include:
Blueberries
Raspberries
Apples
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Sliced Bananas
Carrots
Cucumber
Broccoli
Celery
Cauliflower
Protein
A good barkuterie board can benefit from some lean protein. Meat snacks will add both protein and healthy vitamins. You can also include some items that will also give your dog a boost of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. Your dog will love the different textures and the chance to chew. Some good choices for protein include:
Salmon skin- Filled with omega-3’s, these are available commercially either freeze-dried or dehydrated, or you can make your own.
Single-ingredient jerky treats- These are also available commercially, but beware of varieties made overseas since they can be linked to health problems. If your dog is a jerky fan, you can make jerky at home with the help of a dehydrator.
Pig snouts- Puffed pig snouts help clean your dog's teeth and provide glucosamine since they are filled with cartilage.
Chicken or duck feet- Loaded with glucosamine, chondroitin, protein, and calcium, you can purchase these dried and packaged for your dog.
Spreads and “Dip”
No charcuterie board is complete without dips and spreads. And your dog’s barkuterie board is no exception. Since your dog probably can’t dip or spread, you can help them out by pre-spreading some of the crudites yourself. You can also just leave dollops on the board itself for your dog to lick. Look for dog-friendly favorites like:
Natural peanut butter- If you use a non-natural variety, make sure there is NO xylitol.
Plain yogurt- Greek yogurt is high in protein and contains probiotics for gut health.
Cottage cheese- Low in fat and sodium and high in protein, but beware if your dog is sensitive to dairy.
Pumpkin puree- if you used canned puree, make sure it's pure pumpkin and not pie filling.
Baked Treats
Add an extra crunch to your dog’s barkuterie board with some dog biscuits. You can use their favorite pre-packaged treats, or you can use a simple recipe to make some yourself. Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes and add to the appeal.
Try these simple dog treats from Flora and Vino. They use only 3 ingredients and the directions are simple. They’ll make a great addition to your dog’s barkuterie board, and their cookie jar.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, or oat flour
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 large ripe banana (or 2 medium bananas), smashed
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a blender or food processor, process the oats until you have a fine flour, or use store bought oat flour.
In a large mixing bowl, smash the peanut butter and ripe banana.
Slowly add the oat flour and smash with a fork until the dough is thick and well combined. The dough should be firm and sticky but pliable. If it is crumbly, gradually add more peanut butter until the consistency is right.
On waxed paper or a floured surface, roll the dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick, and cut it into shapes with a cookie. Or you can roll them into 1 tablespoon balls and flatten with your hands for a round cookie.
Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly brown underneath. Allow them to cool for 10-15 minutes.
Split one with your dog (these are human friendly, too!)
These yummy biscuits can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for around 2 weeks.
Putting It All Together
You have all the treats for your dog’s barkuterie board, now it’s time to arrange it! Of course, you want to enjoy your handiwork and snap some pictures, so arrange it in any way that feels appealing to you. Cut the veggies into cute shapes, or arrange them by color. Your dog may not be aware that you made the carrot slices into flowers, but you can be proud of your knife skills, and why not show off to the neighbors?
Get creative with your plating and serve it up on a bone or paw-shaped tray. Have paper plates ready for any other dogs you’re hosting. Or make them all their own mini barkuterie boards using inexpensive dog dishes. Portion control is important, so be sure to take the size of the dogs into account when plating.
Don’t wait for a special event! Your dog deserves a barkuterie board just for existing. So why not try it out? It could be for their gotcha day, a picnic with friends, or just because it’s Saturday.