How To Make a Festive Barkuterie Board for Your Pup

• 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)
• Download the recipe card

• 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

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.

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).

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.

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!

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.

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: