How To Make a Festive Barkuterie Board for Your Pup
Photo by Chewy
The holidays aren’t just for people—your pup deserves a seat at the snack table too. Enter the barkuterie board: a festive (and totally drool-worthy) platter loaded with dog-friendly treats—perfect for parties, photo ops, or just showing your dog a little extra love this season.
Ahead, we’ll walk you through creating your own holiday dog charcuterie board that’s as safe as it is celebratory. Whether you’re hosting a howl-iday gathering or just feel like spoiling your furry BFF, this is one treat spread that’ll get tails wagging.
As with any human food, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods in their dog’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand.
Holiday Barkuterie Board Recipe
Photo by Chewy
- Yield: One barkuterie board (serves several dogs)
- Serving size: Varies; treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories
- Prep time: 10–15 minutes
- Bake time: None (unless including homemade treats)
What You’ll Need
- A serving board or platter
- Small bowls or ramekins
- A mix of drool-worthy dog treats (homemade and/or store-bought)
- Dog-safe dips or spreads
Instructions
Photo by Chewy
1. Start by placing your bowls or ramekins on the board and filling them with pup-approved spreads like xylitol-free peanut butter, pure pumpkin puree, or plain Greek yogurt.
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Photo by Chewy
2. Surround the bowls with a festive variety of dog treats! Think dog-safe fruits and veggies (like strawberries, cranberries, apple slices, green beans, and mozzarella), homemade goodies (like our Chocolate-Free Red Velvet Cookies), and tasty store-bought bites (try Milk-Bone Gingerbread Flavored Dog Biscuits or Blue Buffalo Nudges Jerky Cuts Chicken Dog Treats).
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Photo by Chewy
3. Time to style it up! Use larger treats to anchor your design, then fill in with smaller snacks. Play with color, texture, and height for a board that’s as bark-tastic as it is balanced.
4. Serve to your four-legged guests and watch the tails wag. Just remember: Treats are special, not supper.
How Much To Serve Your Dog
Every dog is different, and when it comes to serving treats—especially festive ones—it’s best to keep portions small. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your pup’s daily calorie intake (and even less if they’re watching their weight).
If you’re unsure how much that is, a good rule of thumb is: For a 600-calorie daily diet, treats shouldn’t exceed 60 calories. And as always, check with your vet before introducing anything new to your dog’s diet. Sudden changes can cause tummy trouble, and we’re aiming for holiday cheer—not holiday vet visits!
How To Store Leftovers
If you’ve gone all out with your barkuterie board and find yourself with extras, don’t worry—leftovers can still be a treat.
Store any homemade cookies in an airtight container in the fridge and serve within three to four days. Want to save them for later? Freeze them in a sealed, freezer-safe container for up to one month.
As for store-bought snacks, follow the storage instructions on the packaging. And for all those odds and ends (think jerky, cheeses, and chopped produce), a dog treat container or other airtight container works great for keeping things fresh and organized.
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Store-Bought Holiday Dog Treats
Looking for more tasty treats to gift, stuff into your pup’s stocking, or wrap and place under the Christmas tree? From dog-friendly cookies to soft-and-chewy biscuits with holiday flair, these are some of the festive treats we featured on our barkuterie board:
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