Rich, creamy and totally dog friendly. Your dogs will thank you for this dog friendly hot chocolate recipe after a cold winter walk! (Gluten free, dairy free, chocolate free)
Dogs and Chocolate
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.
Instead, use carob. Carob is dog friendly and gives the chocolate taste for your dog.
Ingredients
Our dog hot chocolate contains a few simple ingredients to make a rich and creamy hot cocoa with dog friendly carob! So can you call it hot cocoa or would you call it dog hot 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.
'Chocolate'
Since dogs can't have chocolate, we recommend using carob powder to mix in. We found our carob powder at Whole Foods but you can also find it online too!
Honey or Maple Syrup
You'll need to add a little sweet to balance it all out. Adding a little honey or maple syrup is the perfect and safe addition for your pet!
Can Dogs Have?
Can Dogs Have Marshmallows?
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.
A few sprinkles on top of your dogs hot cocoa shouldn't hurt.
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!
Dogs can have a few peanut butter chips like the Reese's peanut butter chips, but check the ingredients to make sure it doesn't contain xylitol or any other ingredients that your dog might be allergic to.
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
Hot cocoa can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for several days (3-5 days).
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
Dog Hot Cocoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk see notes for dog friendly dairy free alternatives
- 1 tbsp carob powder
- 1 tbsp 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. (see notes)
Notes
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.
'Chocolate'
Since dogs can't have chocolate, we recommend using carob powder to mix in. We found our carob powder at Whole Foods but you can also find it online too!Can Dogs Have?
Can Dogs Have Marshmallows? 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.
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!
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