If you’re like us, you do everything with your furry friend – you sleep together, you eat together, you watch Netflix together, and you even party together! This March 17th is likely to be no different. With St. Patrick’s Day quickly approaching, you’ve probably already started discussing your plans.
Whether you’re throwing your own house party or simply taking a nice stroll down to the park, no celebration is complete without the perfect meal. Unfortunately, most traditional Irish eats, like corned beef and shepherd’s pie aren’t really part of a doggy diet. And dogs definitely can’t take part in the green beer tradition. Your dog is working on his summer body after all. That would totally ruin all the progress he’s made!
To help you show your pup just how much he means to you, we’ve come up with a list of celebratory dog treats, perfect for St. Patty’s!
Frozen Treats
We all have our fingers crossed that the spring weather will be well on its way by the time St. Patty’s Day rolls around. But even if it’s still a little chilly, dogs love frozen treats all year round! They have fur coats to keep them warm after all. Rain or shine, this St. Patty’s Day is sure to be a good one!
Remember that green juice you drank when you decided you needed a detox? Well, making frozen dog treats is really similar! Like humans, dogs enjoy all the same benefits that come with vitamin- and nutrient-rich leafy greens and other fruits and vegetables! Plus, they add a vibrant green color that’s perfect for celebrating the Irish!
In a blender, mix up your choice of greens and fruits – kale, spinach, pears, bananas, apples, and whatever else you like. You can also add ginger, mint, cinnamon, peanut butter, or molasses for some added flavor! Add yogurt too if your dog is more of a smoothie drinker than a juice drinker! Then pop them in an ice cube tray and freeze!
If you really want to go all out, try using a mold tray with paw print and/or doggy bone shapes like these! Your dog will be so pleased with all the thought you put in, he’ll be saying “Kiss me, I’m Irish!” The best part of these frozen treats: You don’t have to wait to eat them! Pour the mixture into your pup’s doggy bowl and pour a glass for yourself as well, and enjoy right away! That detox wasn’t really that bad after all, was it?
Baked Goods
While green juice sounds good and all, there’s nothing like the smell of baking biscuits. We mean dog biscuits, of course! Most baked dog treat recipes contain organic rice or whole wheat flour; coconut or some other oil; an egg; water or chicken broth; and whatever else you choose to add! Use a shamrock shaped cookie cutter to add that festive element!
And for the green color? While regular store-bought food coloring is safe for dogs, we highly recommend against them. Since dogs can only see some colors, the green is more for your pup’s Instagram following than it is for your actual pup. #puppygoals are important, but your dog’s health is more important! Avoid artificial coloring as much as possible and opt for natural food coloring instead.
Like with the frozen treats, spinach is always a good way to add that green color sans the harmful dyes. Check out this spinach dog biscuit recipe from For the Love of Pooch for step-by-step instructions. You can also try adding parsley and mint as another way to dye the biscuits green. This green juice dog treats recipe comes with the added bonus of keeping your dog’s breath smelling fresh!
If you already have a recipe that your dog loves, then make that! Instead of trying to dye the entire biscuit green, just add a green dog-safe yogurt frosting! See this tutorial for where to buy the right frosting. Baked dog biscuits are the perfect way to celebrate St. Patty’s cuddled up on the couch. They’re magically delicious!
Bark Beer
If you really don’t want to miss out on the traditional green Guinness, don’t let your dog’s strict diet stop you! Believe it or not, there’s a recipe for that too! Now, we’re not talking about hops and alcohol, but there’s definitely a way to enjoy a nice cold brew with your favorite pal on St. Patty’s!
This really simple alternative only has two ingredients: chicken broth and frozen spinach. Let the spinach soak in the broth and then drain once it turns the right shade of green. That’s it! You’re done brewing your first batch of bark beer!
If you and your dog are the types to munch as you drink, then you’ve hit another snag in the road. Unfortunately, chips are just as unhealthy for dogs as they are for you. But not to fret, there’s a solution for that too. Try this recipe for green bean crunchies for your dog. It also only has two ingredients, so there’s little prep time, which means more time for celebrating! You can even replace your own chips with some delicious kale alternatives to go head-to-head with your doggie’s munchies. After all, there’s no drinking buddy as cool as your furry friend!
Let us know what you and your furry friend have planned for St. Patrick’s Day in the comments below!
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