Story by Angel Schiffer
When I cook at home I often have a furry little shadow named Leo beneath my feet and even though they say not to give your dog any table scraps, who can honestly resist literal puppy dog eyes? That is why the most common question I ask in my kitchen is “Alexa, can Leo have (insert fruit/vegetable here)”? By now almost everyone knows not to feed your pup chocolate no matter how hard they beg, but what about avocados or grapes? They’re healthy for us, so why can’t our pets have them? They seem harmless enough, right? Wrong.
Before feeding your pup anything, do a quick search or to be extra safe ask your pets veterinarian. Leo’s favorite snack? Fresh summer strawberries. Yes, as a bakers dog he’s picky enough to spit out a strawberry that’s not perfectly sweet.
More of Leo’s favorite mom, alexa and vet approved snacks:
Green Beans
Mangos
Bananas
Apples
Blueberries
And carrots
Snacks to avoid giving your furry friends:
Grapes
Raisins
Onions / Garlic
Avocados
Cherries
And obviously, chocolate
Another favorite recipe of Leo’s is this Dog Friendly Cake Recipe. I’ve used it for years and can honestly say anytime I’ve served it the plate has been licked clean. But like anything, give it to your pup and their pup friends in moderation!
In a large bowl whisk together:
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t include xylitol)
1/3 cup pumpkin purée (not pie filling!)
1 egg
Fold in:
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup whole wheat flour
Optional:
Shredded carrots, parsley (to help with that puppy breath!), oats
Evenly distribute between two oiled 6” cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees and start checking at the 20 minute mark to see if they’re done! Use the trusty toothpick method or check to see if the cakes spring back when lightly touched.
You can bake this recipe as a cake or as cupcakes, just shorten your baking time should you go the cupcake route. Or let’s go ahead and say it… pupcakes!
Leo’s favorite frosting recipe:
3/4 c plain unsweetened yogurt
1/4 c cream cheese
1 tablespoon honey
Be sure to decorate your cake with their favorite snacks and treats and prepare yourself for all the puppy dog kisses to follow! On second thought, maybe that parsley shouldn’t be optional!
