Easter is coming and most of us will be looking forward to indulging in some chocolate, and maybe a hot cross bun (or three)! But these are tempting treats that must be kept out of reach for our dogs, as raisins and chocolate are toxic for them.  

How can we safely include our dogs when we’re planning our Easter celebrations? Why not show your favourite dog how much you love them by making some treats yourself!

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A little bit of guidance around giving your dog treats

To keep your dog looking trim and feeling healthy, it’s important that treats make up no more than 10% of their total daily diet. That means if you are feeding treats, particularly high calorie treats, you’ll need to reduce your dog’s meal sizes accordingly. A dog’s daily calorie requirement  will vary depending on their age and lifestyle. The feeding guidelines on their food bag might not always be accurate for their individual needs. If you are at all unsure, ask your vet for some advice that is tailored to your dog. 

Some treats are more calorie-dense, and so they will need to be limited a bit more than others. For example, one cube (a cubic inch) of cheese is worth around 70 calories. That’s about 5% of a German Shepherd’s daily calorie requirement, but for a small Yorkshire Terrier, equates to 30% of what they should have in a day! Vegetables, like half a cup of sliced cucumber or half a medium-sized carrot, contain only around 10 calories, so these can be a healthier option. If vegetables don’t motivate your dog however, you can always look for a low-calorie meat-flavoured training treat and subtract what you feed as a treat from their total daily diet.

Or why not have a go at making some delicious Easter-themed treats for your dog at home? I’ve found five easy recipes for you to have a go at. With all these treats, it’s best to stick with giving just one treat daily and to reduce their food by 10%.

Five easy Easter treats you can make for your dog

1) Homemade Easter dog biscuits (recipe from Blue Cross)

Ingredients:

  • An egg
  • 170g boiled chicken (breast meat)
  • 100g boiled plain rice
  • ¼ pint chicken stock (make sure it’s a type with no added salt)
  • 680g plain flour

You’ll also need: baking paper, baking tray, rolling pin, blender, mixing bowl and an Easter-themed cookie cutter.

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4 (or 160°C if it’s a fan oven).
  • Blitz the chicken breast, cooked rice and chicken stock together into a puree with a blender
  • Mix the puree with the egg and flour in a bowl
  • Pour the mixture onto a freshly floured surface and knead it until it’s no longer sticky
  • Then roll it out flat – it wants to be about ½ inch thick.
  • Shape the biscuits with your Easter cookie cutter, and place them on a baking tray that’s pre-covered with baking paper
  • Oven cook for 25 to 30 minutes.

Once cooled, your dog can tuck in! Store the biscuits in a cool, dark place – a biscuit tin is ideal – and make sure they’re eaten within 4 days.

2) Peanut butter and banana bites (a vegan recipe by BBC goodFOOD)

Ingredients: 

  • 100g buckwheat flour (plus a few pinches for dusting)
  • 100g rolled oats
  • 70g xylitol-free smooth, unsalted peanut butter
  • 1 small, mashed banana
  • 3 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 3 tbsp melted coconut oil

You’ll also need: baking paper, baking tray, mixing bowl, rolling pin, and an Easter-themed cookie cutter.

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4 (or 160°C if it’s a fan oven).
  • Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl until they’re really well combined, then add 4 tbsp of water and stir into a dough
  • Dust a work surface with the extra flour and then roll out the dough to about 5mm (⅕ inch) thick.
  • Shape the biscuits with your Easter cookie cutter, and place them on a baking tray that’s pre-covered with baking paper
  • Oven bake for 18-20 minutes, then leave them to cool.. 

You can store these treats in an airtight container, and they will keep for up to one week.

3) Peanut butter egg frosties (recipe by The Kennel Club)

Ingredients:

  • 50g xylitol-free smooth, unsalted peanut butter
  • 85g Greek yoghurt
  • 65g finely chopped blueberries

You’ll also need: microwave-safe bowl, silicone mini-Easter egg moulds.

Instructions:

  • Microwave the peanut butter in a suitable bowl for 60 seconds until it’s fully melted.
  • Mix the Greek yoghurt and the blueberries into the peanut butter.
  • Pour the mixture to your Easter egg moulds.
  • Freeze overnight – or at least for 4 hours.

When it’s treat time, pop one out and give it to your dog. Treats can be stored in a bag or container in the freezer for up to four months.

4) Honey and banana cakes (recipe from PDSA)

Ingredients:

  • 100g baking spread or melted coconut oil 
  • 40g honey
  • 1-2 peeled and mashed bananas
  • 2 eggs
  • 150g plain flour
  • ½ tsp cinnamon (if you’re planning on serving people too!l)

You’ll also need: mixing bowl, mini cake cases/silicone baking tray.

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4 (or 160°C if it’s a fan oven).
  • Mix the coconut oil or baking spread with honey in a bowl and then mix in the eggs. 
  • Mix until pale, then add the mashed banana repeat the mixing.
  • Sift in flour (and, if used, cinnamon). Fold it all through the wet ingredients.
  • Divide up the batch into the cake cases or a onto a silicone baking tray
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes until springy and golden.

Allow the cakes to cool fully before removing from tray. These cakes will keep for up to three days in an airtight container or can be frozen for up to three months. If they last that long… because they’re suitable for people as well as dogs!

Happy Easter, everyone!

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