Planning the Perfect Picnic With Your Pup

Posted by Erin Ballinger

What better way to celebrate spring than by going on a picnic with your dog? It’s a chance to get out and enjoy the fresh air, and you can even practice social distancing while you're at it. These recipes and tips will help you plan the "pawfect" outing for the whole family!

1. Bring Fido a Blanket

A comfy blankie is sure to make your pup smile. Photo by @swanky_tank

Pack a blanket for your pooch so he has his own space to stretch out and isn’t sitting right next to the tempting spread of snacks. The Frisco Sherpa Dog & Cat Blanket ($10.30-$17.08 on Chewy), with a cozy sherpa side and a printed cotton twill on the reverse, is a great option if your furry friend doesn’t already own one.

2. Take a Toy or Two

It’s OK for Fido to play with this food. Photo by @roseythegsp

Work off some of those calories before or after your meal with a game of fetch. Your pooch will love chasing (and hopefully retrieving) this KONG Classic Flyer Frisbee, which is $10.99 on Chewy. Pack the totally on-theme BARK Charcuterie Board Meat and Cheese Dog Toy ($9.99 at Target) if your dog likes squeaky chew toys to keep him occupied while you eat.

3. Keep Unsafe Foods Away From Fido

So close, and yet so far away. Photo by @goaskalicedogtraining

It’s best to not pack anything that isn’t dog-friendly, but that’s not possible for most picnickers. So, try to keep foods that are potentially toxic or pose a choking hazard in sealable containers and out of your hungry hound’s reach. This includes alcoholic beverages, grapes, raisins, onions, avocados, xylitol (a sugar substitute), meat with bones, chocolate and corn cobs.

4. Bring Plenty of Water

Fido’s bowl is always half full. Photo by @hondo_theblacklab

Pack plenty of fresh drinking water for your furry friends. Serve it in a collapsible container like this ChuckIt! Hydro Travel Bowl ($9.99 on Chewy) to keep your dogs happy and hydrated.

5. Prepare a Pet-Friendly Feast

“I’m glad you brought a hot dog!” Photo by @the.amazing.odin

Whip up some healthy treats that are safe for canines so you can sit back, relax and have fun at the picnic. Check out these make-ahead, picnic-ready recipes for a “Barkuterie” Board, Watermelon “Pupsicles” and Devil Dog Eggs.

Your dog will flip for this “barkuterie” board.Photo by @thedelicious

“Barkuterie” Board

Bring a cutting board or platter to arrange a selection of “barkuterie” for your group. This recipe pulls double-duty because it is just as delicious and healthy for humans as it is for canines! So, be sure to load up on the pet-friendly ingredients that you and your dog prefer. These can include:

  • Celery
  • Carrots
  • Broccoli
  • Blueberries
  • Cucumbers
  • Radishes
  • Cheddar or Mozzarella Cheese
  • Apples (core removed and discarded)
  • Fresh turkey
  • Human-grade jerky treats
  • Peanut butter (for dipping)
  • Greek yogurt (for dipping)

Slice all fruits, vegetables and meats into bite-size pieces and arrange on the board. Place small bowls of peanut butter and Greek yogurt in the center of the tray for dipping.

“Thanks a melon for this pupsicle!”Photo by @clarkethedoodle

Watermelon “Pupsicles”

The entire family will enjoy this easy-to-make and refreshing watermelon treat! You’ll need a popsicle molds set like this one from Amazon for $11.99.

  • 1 pound seedless watermelon
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

Chop the watermelon into small pieces and discard any seeds. Place in a blender with sugar and water, and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze. These treats will stay cold in a cooler.

Your devil dog will be “bacon” for seconds!Photo by @keto.mandy

Devil Dog Eggs

This dog-friendly version of deviled eggs is made with healthy Greek yogurt and decadent bacon bits.

  • 1 dozen eggs
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • 4 slices bacon, crumbled

Hard-boil the eggs for 14 minutes. Remove from water and place in an ice water bath. Once the eggs have cooled completely, peel and slice them in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks and set them aside in a small bowl. Arrange the egg whites on a plate. Mash the yolks and combine with the Greek yogurt until smooth. Use a spoon to add a small amount of the yolk mixture back into each egg white. Top with crumbled bacon. Chill until ready to serve.

Did we leave out your favorite tip for planning a dog-friendly picnic? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by @summer_husky_diaries.