Sharing moments and experiences with our beloved pets often extends to meal times. As dog owners, we cherish the companionship of our furry friends and seek ways to indulge them with treats that are not only delicious but also safe for their health. The concept of dog-safe Crackers has evolved, emphasizing not just the well-being of our pets but also the ability for both humans and dogs to enjoy these snacks together.

Whether you’re creating a dog-friendly barkcuterie (charcuterie) board, or just wanting to save time and bond by baking something both you and your dog will enjoy together, this cracker recipe is the perfect treat option. 

The Importance of Shared Snacks

The bond between humans and their canine companions deepens during shared activities, and snacking is no exception. Safe and healthy treats hold immense value, fostering trust and strengthening the connection between pets and their owners. Understanding this, the demand for dog-safe crackers that are also suitable for human consumption has risen, aligning with the desire for shared experiences in snacking.

The advantages of shared snacking transcend mere enjoyment. Besides enhancing the bond between owners and their pets, these snacks offer health benefits for both parties. Engaging in mindful snacking routines fosters positive behavioural and emotional experiences, contributing to overall well-being.

Safety and Precautions

While shared snacking is delightful, it’s essential to consider safety measures. Portion control, avoiding harmful ingredients like chocolate, raisins, onion or xylitol, and consulting a vet for any concerns regarding shared snacks are crucial steps in ensuring the well-being of our furry friends.

Likewise, if you’re adding a topping like seeds, make sure to break up any larger seeds that could cause intestinal issues.

Substitutions and Customizations

A regular cracker recipe, when made for humans, will also call for 2 tsp of sugar and 2 tsp of salt.  Since I planned on only giving a small portion of these crackers to my dogs, I added 1 tsp each of sugar and salt.  If I had intended to give most or all of them to my dogs I would have eliminated the salt or only added a tiny amount, and swapped the sugar for something more dog-friendly like honey. 

I made this recipe with whole wheat flour.  If making them to be eaten mostly by humans, white flour can be used, but keep in mind that white flour is not a great choice for our pups.  Alternatively, you can use any dog-safe flour. 

Likewise, coconut oil, ghee or other oils can be substituted for the olive oil in the recipe.

This recipe is highly customizable.  When making crackers for dogs, there are a few ingredients you need to avoid such as onion (including onion flakes and onion powder), raisins, excessive amounts of salt or sugar and of course, anything with xylitol in it.  If these are being made mostly for dogs and you still want a bit of sweetness, consider adding honey or maple syrup instead of sugar in the Dough.

If you plan on making some of these for humans to eat and some for the dogs, you can also opt to add sea salt or a coarse salt as a topping instead of within the dough and add it only to the crackers reserved for human consumption. 

Toppings and Mix-ins

• Herb Crackers: mix in dog-safe herbs (dried or fresh) such as rosemary, thyme, basil, dill or even chamomile
• Parmesan cheese and Rosemary flavoured: mix parmesan cheese and chopped rosemary in a bowl and sprinkle over top of crackers before they go into the oven
• Seed Topped: Consider adding seeds such as pepitas (chopped if your pup is small!), sesame, chia, flax, sunflower or a mixture over top of crackers before they go into the oven
• Apple Cinnamon:  Replace some of the water with applesauce and mix in a bit of cinnamon
• Cranberry almond: Finely chop some dried cranberries and almonds and mix into the dough before rolling

Notes and Tips

• If you don’t have a rolling pin, improvise!  Use a bottle (a wine bottle perhaps?) or even a large can
• Is the dough springing back too much while you are trying to roll it?  Leave it uncovered and walk away for 5-10 minutes to allow it to rest.  It will be easier to roll when you return
• Cut the dough however you would like – use a knife, a pizza cutter, fun-shaped cookie cutters or the rim of a glass
• To more fully dehydrate the crackers, return them to the oven after the last batch is backed and the oven is turned off.  Crackers can be left in the oven as it cools to dry out more and extend their shelf life (note that the dogs will be ok with this, but if you plan to eat them you may not be!)

Recipe: Dog-Safe Crackers

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 12-15 mins

Yield: About 60 medium

Ingredients

• 3 cups (700mL) dog-safe flour
• 4 tbsp (6mL) olive oil
• 1 cup (250mL) water
• Optional: Toppings or Mix-ins (see above)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C)
2. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper
3. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl, including any additional ingredients you would like to mix in.   Mix well with a sturdy spoon.   If the dough is a little wet, add a bit more flour.  If the dough is a little dry, add a bit more water, 1 tbsp at a time.
4. Tip out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a little bit to ensure there are no overly dry or wet spots in the dough
5. Split the dough into 2.  Lightly flour your work surface and roll out to 1/8th (3 mm) thick or less. 
6. Cut out dough using a knife, pizza cutter, cookie cutters or the rim of a glass.  Place each cracker on a cookie sheet.  You don’t need to worry about leaving a lot of room between crackers.  There will be very minimal spreading as they bake
7. If you’re adding toppings, use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the crackers with water and sprinkle on your toppings
8. Pierce each cracker with the tines of a fork (several times for larger crackers) to avoid the crackers puffing up too much while baking
9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges begin to brown.  Thinner or smaller crackers will bake quicker.
10. Allow crackers to cool fully before transferring to an airtight container for storage

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.  If fully dehydrated, shelf life can be extended.

Conclusion

Human-approved dog-safe crackers offer an avenue for shared experiences and bonding moments between humans and their canine companions. These treats, carefully crafted to meet both species’ needs, not only ensure safety and health but also create lasting memories and stronger connections.

Looking for some additional recipes to add to your barkcuterie board? Check out some of the following for ideas:

• Dog-Friendly Deviled Eggs
• Baked Apple Chips: A Tasty Alternative to Store-Bought Dog Treats
• Delicious Veggie Packed Dog-Friendly Meatballs: A Nutritious Dog Treat
• How to Make Dehydrated Beet Treats for Dogs at Home

Make sure you share your cracker variations or any other inspiration you’ve received from us on Instagram! Tag us @all_for_the_love_of_dogs !

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