Dogs are a part of the family. If you’re lucky enough to have your own four-legged friend, you’ll know that they think they’re one of the humans.
They’ll try to sit at the table, sleep in your bed, and eat your food. So when it comes to their birthday, why not let them indulge? By allowing them the same benefits as humans, your pooch will have the best birthday any dog could ever ask for.
Fentimans, botanical brewers and long-standing animal lovers, have put together some food and drinks recipes you can try and show your furry friend how much you love them.
Birthday cakes for your pooch
It’s no secret that dogs enjoy food and different foods. Rather than a simple bowl of kibble, you can bake them a delicious birthday cake to celebrate their special day. They definitely deserve it!
Before pre-heating the oven, however, remember that dogs are allergic to certain human foods, such as chocolate and caffeine, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, and more. Also, you should be mindful of ingredients if your pooch is overweight or you suspect they might have allergies to nuts, avocados, and so on.
Once you’re aware of any canine dietary requirements, you can choose the cake you want to bake…
Sweet & Savoury Doggy Cake
Ingredients for the cake:
- 210g plain flour
- 250ml oat milk
- 1 mashed banana
- 1 whole egg
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- Half a grated carrot
Ingredients for the decorations:
- 1 mashed potato
- A handful of dog treats
Instructions:
- Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees. Line your baking tin and put it to one side.
- In a large bowl, mash the banana and whisk in the egg, grated carrot, coconut oil, and oat milk. Once combined, sift and stir the flour in.
- Pour the mixture into a baking tin and cook for no less than 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remember to put it on a cake rack and dry before decorating.
- In a saucepan, boil chopped potato until it is soft. Drain the water, mash until smooth, and pipe or scoop on top of the cake. You can even garnish with their favourite doggy treats.
Cupcakes for the whole family
Everyone can enjoy a sweet bite on your pooch’s birthday. While it may seem surprising at first, there are countless recipes you can follow to create delicious nibbles perfect for both humans and their four-legged friends. So you can make treats that are perfect for the whole family!
Banana & Peanut Butter Pupcake
To make these bite-sized pupcakes, all you need are these crucial ingredients:
Ingredients for the cake:
- 64 grams plain flour
- 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 1 medium mashed banana
Ingredients for the decoration:
- ½ medium mashed banana
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
Instructions:
- Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees. Rather than using paper cupcake holders, lightly spray your muffin tray with cooking oil to make sure they don’t stick.
- In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, oil, mashed banana, and honey. Stir until smooth, before adding the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Once the mixture is fully combined, bake in the oven for 10–20 minutes.
- For the frosting, mash the banana and peanut butter in a bowl. Decorate the cake accordingly, making sure you eat it soon so the banana frosting doesn’t brown.
Dog-Friendly Mocktails
The fun doesn’t stop there! Once you’ve eaten a delicious birthday cake or muffin, you can sit down and relax with a refreshing dog-friendly mocktail. Here are two easy-to-make mocktail recipes both dogs and their owners can drink (serving 1–3).
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Sweet and refreshing, you can’t go wrong with this mocktail. All you need to do is combine 360 grams of frozen strawberries and 60ml of coconut water in a blender. If you know that your dog isn’t intolerant to dairy, you can also add 1 tsp of plain Greek yoghurt to make it a little creamier.
Mixed Berry Mojito
This next drink is filled with fizz. Light-bodied and bursting with flavour, all you need is 3 strawberries, 10 blueberries, and 500ml of soda water free from additives. Each mouthful will be as delicious as the last, especially when you get to eat the tasty fruit garnishes.
There you have it! You don’t have to go completely out of your way to celebrate your pooch’s birthday. And when you’re enjoying the sweet treats and delicious drinks as well, it will be 100 per cent worth the effort!
