Rich, creamy and totally dog friendly. Your dogs will thank you for a cup of this hot chocolate for dogs after a cold winter walk!
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Hot Chocolate for Dogs
After a cold winter walk, does your dog look at you like you're some kind of monster for sipping warm cocoa in front of them and not offering any? Do they curl up by you to warm up and offer those deeply piercing puppy dog eyes in your direction?
Treat your pup right on those cold winter nights! But don't just cook up a hot cocoa packet for them! Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs. So never give your dog chocolate, cocoa powder, or hot cocoa mixes.
Ingredients
Our dog hot cocoa recipe contains minimal ingredients to make a rich and creamy hot cocoa with dog friendly carob!
Milk
Does your dog tolerate cows milk? Most dogs have a rough time with it and it's not recommended to feed your dog cows milk. A few tablespoons here and there isn't bad depending on your dogs size, but generally it has not been recommended to consume in larger quantities. But there are plenty of great dog friendly dairy free milk options!
- Coconut Milk: If you want your dog to have a delicious, thick and creamy flavor to their cocoa, try using coconut milk. It's thick and creamy and dogs will love the rich flavor addition! You can use lite or full fat coconut milk and even coconut creamer.
- Other Milk Alternatives: Additionally, it is considered safe for most dogs to have rice milk, oat milk or flax milk. You are welcome to use some of the dairy free creamers too...just make sure to check ingredients! Almond milk and soy milk are considered safe as well, but almond milk is recommended in small doses and soy is noted as being one of the top allergens in dogs.
- Water: You can even use water for our hot cocoa recipe if you would like.
Can Dogs Have Chocolate?
Since dogs can't have chocolate, we recommend using carob powder to mix in. It can be found at most major retailers and online.
Sweetening Your Hot Chocolate For Dogs
You'll need to add a little sweet to balance the tart carob powder. Adding a little honey or maple syrup is the perfect and safe addition for your pet!
Tips
- You can add a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon to your dog's hot chocolate for an extra special treat.
- If you are looking for a low-calorie option, you can use unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk.
- Be sure to supervise your dog while they are enjoying their hot chocolate.
Add Ins
To add a little variety to your dogs hot cocoa, try adding in some additional flavors!
- Pumpkin: Add a teaspoon or two of pumpkin puree to your dogs hot cocoa!
- Peanut Butter: Stir in a teaspoon or two to your dogs hot cocoa. Your peanut butter lovin' dog will thank you!
- Apple: Add a tablespoon of plain applesauce for some fall flavor!
Storage
Your dog hot chocolate can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for several days (3-5 days).
Frequently Asked Questions
Topping your hot cocoa with marshmallows, sprinkles and peanut butter chips offer a fun and festive treat for your dog. While there is nothing that is harmful for dogs to have in marshmallows, there is also nothing very healthy in marshmallows that will benefit your dog. So it's not recommended for dogs to have marshmallows. But a few probably won't hurt. Same with a few peanut butter chips and sprinkles, although these aren't generally recommended and will add additional calories.
A dollop of whip cream on top probably won't hurt your dog either but if your dog has issues with dairy than you will probably want to omit it even if they give you puppy dog eyes!
No, you should not give your dog hot chocolate made with cocoa. Cocoa contains a substance called theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. You can give dogs carob powder.
Symptoms of theobromine poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and death.
Yes, some hot chocolate products contain caffeine, which can also be toxic to dogs. Caffeine can cause restlessness, tremors, hyperactivity, and even seizures in dogs.
Other Recipes
If your dogs play as important of a role in your life as ours do, try treating them to some of these delicious recipes:
- Apple Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Candy Cane & Wreath Biscuits
- Carob Peanut Butter Cookies
- Cinnamon Rolls for Dogs
- Dog DNA Reveal Party
- Dog Truffles
- Halloween Dog House with Treats
- Three Ingredient Gourmet Dog Treats
Hot Chocolate For Dogs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk see notes for dairy free alternatives
- 1 tablespoon carob powder
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat the milk, carob powder, and sweetener on low heat. Whisk occasionally until mixture is smooth. Heat until warm, remove from heat. Stir in any additional add ins if using. (see notes)
- Spoon mixture into bowls and top with additional toppings if desired.
Notes
Storage
Store additional hot cocoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days (3-5 days)Nutrition
This article is not intended to treat or diagnose. If you have specific questions, please consult your veternarian.
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