St. Patrick's Day Dog Treats for a Spring Brunch

By Sarah Dickerson

Updated 6 March 2013

Green beer and corned beef were never going to work for a dog. So this year, make the pup a proper guest of honor. These St. Patrick's Day dog treats are spinach and green apple biscuits, baked crisp and naturally green, and they sit beside a light spring brunch for the humans at the table.

The whole menu is plant-based, gluten-free and made without refined sugar. Invite a friend or two and let your dog supervise from under the table. If baking for dogs is new to you, these easy homemade dog treats are a gentle place to warm up.

Dog-Friendly St. Patrick's Day Brunch Menu

• For the dog: spinach and green apple biscuits
• To drink: a green apple and celery juice
• To eat: a spring spinach salad with mango and avocado
• Something sweet: raw coconut lime macaroons
• For the table: glitter-tipped place cards tied to fresh leaves

A dog-friendly St. Patrick's Day brunch works best when the dog gets a treat made just for them, and the human food stays on human plates. Spinach and green apple biscuits give dogs the green color of the day without food dye, sugar or wheat. Keep avocado for dogs off the menu, along with citrus and sweet baked goods, and serve the biscuits in small pieces.

Spinach and Green Apple Dog Biscuits

These grain-free biscuits use almond flour and nut butter, so the dough comes together by hand in a few minutes. For more recipes in the same spirit, this collection of grain free dog treat recipes is full of ideas.

Ingredients for Grain-Free Green Dog Biscuits

• 2 1/2 cups almond flour, plus a little extra for rolling
• 1/2 cup unsalted peanut butter or almond butter, free of xylitol
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 green apple, seeds and core removed
• 2 handfuls of baby spinach
• 2 tbsp water

Apple seeds and the tough core should never go into the bowl, as this guide to apples for dogs explains. Grate the flesh finely.

How to Bake Spinach Apple Dog Treats

• Mix everything by hand in a large bowl and press into a ball. If it feels wet, add a little almond flour.
• Dust the counter with almond or coconut flour and roll the dough out flat, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Cut out shamrocks, bones or simple squares.
• Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.
• Rotate the tray, lower the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp.
• Cool completely before serving.

Storing and Serving Homemade Dog Biscuits

Once cool, keep the biscuits in an airtight container. A clear glass DIY dog treat jar looks lovely on a brunch table and keeps them crunchy.

Treats of any kind should stay within about 10 percent of a dog's daily calories. A Chihuahua might manage one small biscuit, a Golden Retriever a few more. Spinach contains oxalates, which are fine in small amounts for most healthy dogs, but skip this recipe for a dog with a history of bladder stones. Dogs on a special diet need a vet check first.

Loved baking these? The 52 Weeks of Treats eBook holds more than 30 healthy recipes for every season.

More Green Dog Treats for St. Paddy's Day

Want a second green treat? These need almost no effort.

Fresh Mint and Parsley Treats

Fresh parsley and a little mint give treats a bright color and a nicer smell up close. These homemade dog breath mints are a fun pairing. Use fresh leaves only, and just a few, never peppermint oil or mint candy.

A Green Smoothie for Dogs

Blend baby spinach, banana and green apple with cold water, then pour a small portion into your dog's bowl. This dog smoothie recipe shows how, with a version you can sip too.

Plain Green Beans

Simple, crunchy and already the right color. Steamed or raw, unsalted green beans for dogs make a low-calorie snack, cut into short pieces for small breeds.

Keeping Your Dog Safe at a Holiday Brunch

A pleading face under the table is hard to resist, so ask guests to stick to the dog biscuits. Grapes, onion, chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol all appear on the list of foods toxic to dogs, and holiday spreads often hide a few.

If your dog does sneak something risky, call your vet or an animal poison helpline right away rather than waiting for signs.

Human Brunch Recipes for St. Patrick's Day

The next three recipes are for people only, so keep these plates up high.

Green Apple and Celery Twist

• 3 to 4 celery stalks
• 3 green apples
• 1/4 of a lemon

Run the ingredients through a juicer one at a time, starting with the celery. Pour into small glasses and serve. Fun straws optional.

Spring Spinach Salad With Mango

• Spinach
• A mix of sprouts
• Green peppers
• Sliced avocado
• Sliced mango
• Sliced green apple

Toss as much of each as you like in a large bowl with your favorite dressing. An avocado vinaigrette suits it beautifully. Fan the avocado slices over the top for a pretty finish.

Raw Coconut Lime and Mint Macaroons

• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup unrefined extra virgin coconut oil
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (or raw honey if not vegan)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp key lime juice
• Zest of 1 lime
• A tiny pinch of Himalayan salt
• 3 fresh mint leaves, finely chopped, to garnish

Mix everything in a bowl and roll into bite-size rounds. Sprinkle with the mint and a little extra lime zest. Cover and freeze until firm. Serve them cold.

DIY Glitter Place Cards for a St. Patrick's Day Table

Place Card Materials

• Fresh greenery
• Scissors
• Glue
• Glitter
• Twine or ribbon
• Ink pen
• Hole punch
• Printable place card template

How to Make the Place Cards

• Gather some greenery from the garden, such as leaves or clippings from a shrub.
• Print and cut out the place card template.
• Write each guest's name in the center of the card.
• Punch a hole in the marked spot.
• Dip the opposite end of the card in glue, then straight into the glitter. Shake off the loose glitter and let it dry.
• Cut about 5 inches of ribbon or twine, loop it through the hole and tie a small knot.
• Tie a loop knot around the stem of a leaf and set one at each place.

Glitter is no friend to a curious nose, so do the crafting away from the dog and keep finished cards up on the table. Some common garden plants are also toxic to dogs, including English ivy, yew and sago palm. Check any clippings against the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plants list before they go near the table.

More Seasonal Dog Treat Ideas

Spring brings plenty more reasons to bake. Easter is next, and these Easter treats for dogs carry the season along.

A green brunch table also makes a sweet backdrop for these spring dog photo ideas.

Cheers to spring, and happy St. Patrick's Day to you and your pup.

About the author

Sarah Dickerson

Visual Designer & Photographer

Sarah Dickerson is the visual designer, photographer and animal-loving blogger behind Chic Sprinkles. She enjoys all things English, rainy nights, cozy backyard gatherings and twinkling lights. On Pretty Fluffy, Sarah writes and shares DIY projects, and she is the visual designer behind the 52 Weeks of Treats ebook. She also promotes Spared.org. Sarah lives on the sunny coast of Florida with her husband, Tanner, and her fluffy Shih Tzu, Coco Bean.

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