Before changing your dog’s/ cat’s diet or introducing new ingredients or supplements that they haven’t eaten before, especially when it comes to human food, make sure to consult your veterinarian first. Every dog/cat is different and requires an individual approach to nutrition, depending on their age, health, level of activity, and medical history. The guidelines offered in our article have been fact-checked and approved by a veterinarian but should be used as a mere guide on food safety, rather than an individual nutrition plan.
Humans love charcuterie boards for various reasons, and it’s normal to want to share this love with our pups. But while our dogs can’t eat everything on our charcuterie boards, nothing is stopping you from coming up with a charcuterie board specifically for your pooch!
There’s no shortage of decoration ideas you can have for the boards themselves, but there are also tons of fun food options you can put on them that are great for your pet. Since the highlight of any charcuterie board is the food you put on it, that’s what we decided to highlight for our “barkcuterie” boards here!
There are tons of options to pick from, but we’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite food items you can safely offer your pooch for the paw-fect barkcuterie board.
The 10 Barkcuterie Ideas for Your Dog
1. Their Favorite Treats
If your dog already has a favorite treat or two, why not add that to the board? It doesn’t need to take up the entire board, and you already know they love these treats, so add a few of them to spice things up and make it clear that this charcuterie board is made just for them.
2. Carrots
Carrots are an excellent and healthy treat for your dog, and they just go hand-in-hand with charcuterie boards. When feeding your dog carrots, ensure you chop them up into smaller pieces so they don’t turn into a choking hazard.
Carrots contain vitamin C and other nutrients for your pooch, making it an excellent choice for them. You can also cook the carrots, but this isn’t a classic way to serve them on a charcuterie board. However, it will make them a bit easier for them to chew and digest.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli is another classic charcuterie board item that you can put on your barkcuterie board. It’s full of beneficial nutrients for dogs, just keep in mind that raw broccoli is a bit harder for your pup to digest, so you shouldn’t put a ton of it on there. You can, however, cook the broccoli to make it easier to digest.
4. Bananas
Bananas are a great low-cost item for you to throw on a charcuterie board for your dog. They’re a tasty treat that’s full of nutrients, but once you chop them up they will start to brown, so they might be the last food you add to the board and the first food you offer—if the board even lasts that long!
5. Apples
Apples are another sweet treat you can use to fill out your pup’s charcuterie board. Remove the seeds before putting them on the board, and if you want to keep them from browning, spray them with a bit of lemon juice. Apples are sweet so many pups want to eat them, and they’re full of fiber, vitamin C, and plenty of other nutrients that are great for your pet!
6. Watermelon
Watermelon is yet another fruit that your pup will likely love eating and that can really brighten up a barkcuterie board. It contains vitamin C, iron, and other nutrients, and it’s full of water so it’s also extremely hydrating. Remove the seeds and rind before feeding them to your pet, though.
7. Eggs
Eggs are a common treat you can put on a charcuterie board if you hard boil them. They have tons of vitamins and protein, and you can leave them out on the charcuterie board longer than many of the other fruits we’ve highlighted.
8. Jerky Treats
What dog doesn’t love meat? It’s also a classic charcuterie board item, just ensure you’re finding a pet-safe version for the board. Typical jerky is not designed for dogs but there are pet-safe versions out there. If you find one of these treats, it can be a great addition as a snack, but it can also be the most expensive item you find.
9. Blueberries
Blueberries are a great way to add a little color to the charcuterie board. They’re also a super healthy treat option for your dog, and many pups love the taste. They look great, and your dog is sure to love them, so it’s a win-win!
10. Peanut Butter
Dogs love peanut butter, and if you put some peanut butter in a small bowl in the middle of a charcuterie board it’s a great way to tie everything together. It’ll also let you dip various items on the board before feeding them to your dog.
Not only does this make the board look a little better, but it also helps to get your pup to eat some of the veggies and fruits you put on the board. Just make sure the peanut butter is safe for dogs—that means no peanut butter with xylitol! If you would ever be unsure what is appropriate to feed your dog and what isn’t, the best thing you can do is to contact your veterinarian.
Conclusion
If you’re making a charcuterie board for yourself, go ahead and make one for your pup too! Not only are they super cute, but they’re full of healthy snacks for your furry best friend, and that’s a win-win for the two of you!
Find the right treats and pick the ones they like the best, and from there, just make sure you don’t overdo it! As long as the treats don’t make up more than 10% of your pup’s diet, there’s nothing wrong with giving them treats from time to time!
Feature Image Credit: Valeriy Volkonskiy, Shutterstock
