Dog Charcuterie Board (Barkuterie)

Dog charcuterie boards are all over Pinterest for birthdays and holidays. Arrange dog-safe fruit, vegetables, plain chicken and a few biscuits on a board, take your photos, then portion it out.

The board is for sharing between several dogs or over several days. Keep each dog’s portion within its treat allowance.

Why your dog will love this

• A photo-ready party centerpiece
• Everything on it is dog-safe
• Feeds a small dog party

Ingredient notes

• Plain cooked chicken, cubed Safe

  Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.

• Apple, cored and sliced Safe

  Remove all seeds.

  Remove the core and seeds. Unsweetened applesauce is fine.

• Baby carrots Safe

  Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.

• Blueberries Safe

  Low-calorie fruit, raw or frozen.

• Cucumber slices Safe

  Low-calorie and hydrating.

• Watermelon cubes, seedless Safe

  Seedless flesh only, no rind.

• Low-fat cheese, cubed Caution

  Skip for lactose-intolerant dogs.

  Small amounts of low-fat cheese are fine for most dogs. Skip for lactose-intolerant dogs.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Dog Charcuterie Board

Dog Charcuterie Board takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and makes 1 board. It is an easy recipe. You will need a large wooden board. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 8 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for dogs.

• 1 cup plain cooked chicken, cubed: Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.
• 1 medium apple, cored and sliced: Remove all seeds. Remove the core and seeds. Unsweetened applesauce is fine.
• 1 cup baby carrots: Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.
• 1/2 cup blueberries: Low-calorie fruit, raw or frozen.
• 1 cup cucumber slices: Low-calorie and hydrating.
• 1/2 cup watermelon cubes, seedless: Seedless flesh only, no rind.
• 8 small homemade dog biscuits
• 2 oz low-fat cheese, cubed: Skip for lactose-intolerant dogs. Small amounts of low-fat cheese are fine for most dogs. Skip for lactose-intolerant dogs.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Place the biscuits and a small bowl of chicken on the board first as anchors.
2. Fan the apple and cucumber slices around them.
3. Fill the gaps with carrots, watermelon and blueberries.
4. Add the cheese cubes last and serve within 2 hours.

Tips for success

• Keep grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate and nuts off the board, even for decoration.
• Cut everything to a size your smallest guest can chew safely.
• Supervise dogs at the board so no one eats more than their share.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Refrigerate leftovers right away; cut fruit browns quickly. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

Split the board between 3 to 4 medium dogs, or serve a little each day. Treats and toppers should stay under 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories, so cut back their regular food a little on days you serve extra.

Swaps and variations

No plain cooked chicken? Use plain cooked turkey. No blueberries? Use strawberries. No low-fat cheese? Use plain yogurt dip. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.

Why dogs love it

A photo-ready party centerpiece. Everything on it is dog-safe. Feeds a small dog party.

Feeding tips for dogs

Introduce any new food slowly, starting with a small piece, and wait a day to see how your dog’s stomach handles it. Dogs with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or diabetes may need changes, so check with your vet first. Keep fresh water out, especially with dry or salty-tasting treats, and count every treat toward the daily allowance so meals stay balanced.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

Safety notes

Cheese: Small amounts of low-fat cheese are fine for most dogs. Skip for lactose-intolerant dogs. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your dog. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

What can go on a dog charcuterie board?

Plain cooked meat, dog-safe fruits and vegetables, plain cheese in small amounts, and dog biscuits.

What should never go on it?

Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chocolate, macadamia nuts, xylitol and cured meats.

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