Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate with your friends and family, and that goes for our furry friends, too! What better way to include them in the festivities than by spoiling them with a few delicious homemade treats?
If you want to celebrate Easter with your dog this year, we’ve got you covered. Here are five tasty Easter-themed treats your dog is guaranteed to love.
1. Mini Dog Easter Eggs
We all get Easter eggs, so what’s stopping your dog from having them too? These mini dog Easter eggs are adorable and packed with a range of healthy and wholesome ingredients to keep your furry friend happy. They're a great addition to any dog Easter egg hunt. And you know what’s even better? They only take a few minutes to make!
You Will Need:
- Mini egg-shaped molds
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Spoon
Ingredients:
- 140g of peanut butter (Make sure it’s xylitol-free!)
- 140g of coconut oil
- Optional extras: dog treats, apple chunks, etc
Method:
- If you’ve decided to add some tasty extras, start by preparing them. Chop up your carrots, apple chunks, or dog treats into small pieces.
- Add the peanut butter and coconut oil to the mixing bowl.
- Microwave the mixture until it’s melted and stir until it’s nice and smooth.
- Add the tasty extras to the bowl, and give it another mix.
- Pour the mixture into the molds.
- Put the molds in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or until the mixture has hardened).
- Once they’re hard, you can feed them to your dog!
2. Easter Dog Cookies
There’s nothing quite like the delicious aroma of freshly baked goods. These Easter-themed cookies are sure to get your furry friend wagging their tail.
These cookies are made with your pup in mind, which is why they include a combination of nutritious ingredients designed to be healthy and tasty. From the delightful crunch of peanut butter to the wholesome goodness of carrots, these cookies are the perfect way to treat your dog this Easter.
You Will Need:
- Grease-proof / parchment paper
- Large baking tray
- Rolling pin
- Easter-themed cookie cutters
Ingredients:
- 110g peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 90ml semi-skimmed milk
- 1 egg
- 1 large carrot
- 175g wholewheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 30g rolled oats
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/ 160°C Fan/ gas 4.
- Line your baking tray with parchment paper.
- Add the peanut butter, egg, milk, and carrot into a mixing bowl and stir the mixture.
- Then, stir in the wholewheat flour, baking powder, and oats. This should form a dough.
- Empty the dough onto a floured surface and knead until it’s thick and heavy.
- Flour your rolling pin and roll the dough out until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out the biscuit shapes and place them on the baking tray.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.
- Leave them to cool before giving them to your dog!
3. Easter Pupcakes
These Easter pupcakes are a great twist on traditional cupcakes that we humans love so much. With fresh carrots and applesauce, these cakes are bursting with all the flavors your dog is sure to love.
Will Need:
- Cupcake cases
- Baking tray
- 2 mixing bowls
Ingredients:
- 3 medium carrots
- 150g apple sauce (unflavoured and unsweetened)
- 2 eggs
- 150ml semi-skimmed milk
- 225g wholewheat flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/ 160°C Fan/ gas 4.
- Place the cupcake cases onto a baking tray.
- Grate the carrots.
- Add the grated carrots, eggs, and apple sauce into a bowl and mix.
- In a separate bowl, add the wholewheat flour, baking powder, and cinnamon and mix.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until it forms a batter.
- Spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
Tip: Once you think your bakes might be done, insert a knife or skewer into the center of one of the cakes. If it comes out clean, the cakes are cooked and ready to give to your dog. Just make sure they’re cool first!
4. Easter Apple Pupsicles
As spring approaches and the temperature rises, there's no better way to keep your pup cool and refreshed than with a frozen treat. These Easter Apple Pupsicles are packed full of goodness, with sweet apples and creamy yogurt, all designed to appeal to your pup’s palette. These are great for a post-walk pick-me-up or a snack.
This recipe is also the easiest and quickest on your list. So if you want to make your dog a special Easter treat but don’t have a lot of time, this is the perfect choice for you.
You Will Need:
- Easter-themed ice-cube molds of your choice
- A mixing bowl
Ingredients:
- 300 grams of low-fat yogurt
- A one-third cup of apple sauce
- Two tablespoons of peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- Two tablespoons of honey
Method:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
- Leave to freeze for about 4-5 hours.
- And voila! These tasty treats are ready for your dog.
Tip: The best thing about these is that you can batch-make them, and they’re good to keep for a few months. Just make sure to store them in a container or plastic bag in the freezer.
5. Carrot Pupcakes
Made with fresh carrots, pumpkin puree, and a hint of peanut butter, these carrot pupcakes are a nutritious way to spoil your four-legged friend this Easter. You’ll get 12 cakes out of this recipe, making it a great choice if you’re planning a puppy party!
You Will Need:
- A muffin tin
- Cake cases
- Box grater
- A mixing bowl
Ingredients (Cake):
- Whole wheat flour
- Baking powder
- Grated carrots
- Canned pumpkin puree
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Melted coconut oil
- Water
- An egg
Ingredients (Cream Cheese Frosting):
- Plain Greek or regular yogurt
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 160°C Fan/ gas 4.
- Line the muffin pan with paper liners.
- Mix the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Mix in the dry ingredients, then fold in the grated carrots.
- Divide the batter among the 12 muffin cups.
- Bake until they are cooked through.
- Mix the Greek yogurt and peanut butter in a separate bowl to make the frosting.
- Once the cakes are cool, pipe on the frosting and serve to your pup!
If in Doubt, Swap the Ingredients
If there are other ingredients you know your dog would prefer, just swap some of them out! For example, if your dog isn’t a fan of carrots but absolutely loves pumpkin, use that instead. The best way to find out what your dog likes is by trial and error – especially if you’ve never made any homemade treats before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my dog an Easter egg?
If you’re planning to give your dog a traditional chocolate Easter egg, then the answer is no. Even a small amount of chocolate is toxic to dogs and shouldn’t be given to them under any circumstances. This is because chocolate includes theobromine and caffeine, which may be fine for us humans, but they are both harmful ingredients for our furry friends.
However, there are many chocolate alternatives that your dog can enjoy! These won’t include any harmful ingredients that will upset your dog’s sensitive tummy. You can also try making your own Easter-themed treats (like the ones mentioned above). They are safe and healthy snacks your dog can enjoy.
What do you put in Easter eggs for dogs?
If you want to make a dog-friendly Easter egg, or you’re planning a dog Easter egg hunt, you’re in luck! There are many safe, healthy, and nutritious ingredients you can use in dog-specific Easter eggs. This can include pieces of cooked meat (such as chicken or turkey), your dog’s favorite tasty treats, or fruits and vegetables (such as carrots, apples, or blueberries.)
Be careful when picking fruits and veg out, as there are quite a few that can be toxic to dogs, like grapes, raisins, onion, and garlic.
If you’re unsure which foods are unsafe for your pup, check out our article on the most toxic foods for dogs.
Are homemade treats good for dogs?
As long as they’re made with safe and healthy ingredients, homemade treats are great for dogs. When you make treats at home, you have control over the quality of ingredients that go into them. This means you can avoid harmful substances or things like additives and preservatives that may be found in shelved dog treats. Furthermore, homemade dog treats may be the best option for your pup if they have strict dietary restrictions you need to adhere to. You can keep track of what they’re eating, and they get a tasty snack – it’s a win-win!
However, if you’re not sure about an ingredient or you have any concerns about your dog’s diet, make sure to double-check with your vet. They can put any worries at rest.
Conclusion
There’s no reason why your dog should miss out on all the Easter fun! If you want to celebrate this holiday with your pooch, treat them to the homemade Easter-themed snacks above. Each recipe is not only healthy and nutritious for your dog, but it’s also delicious too! From mini Easter eggs to pupcakes, your dog will know you made each one with love and care.