Easter is a time for chocolate, spending time with family and friends, egg hunts, relaxing, and… you guessed it, more chocolate!

We know chocolate is taboo for our four-legged friends, but does that mean that they can’t be part of the fun? Absolutely not!

Below are a few tips on having a pet friendly Easter egg hunt for your pooch:

  • Colour is key! Remember dogs see mostly in shades of yellow and blue so might be a good idea to have treat balls / toys in those colours. You can even make use of some of their favourite stuffed toys and place it close to hidden dog treats so that it is easier for them to find the treats. It’s completely up to you how you do it as long as you and your doggo are having fun and whatever item you use is safe for your pet.
  • Different strokes for different folks. Four-legged hunts must be done separately from the two-legged ones. The last thing you want is for your pupper to find a chocolate treat and your little one to find a parcel with frozen liver! Time them well and check whether all the treats have been hunted and discovered before starting the next hunt.
  • Smelly for their belly. Dogs depend on their sense of scent, so make the treats smell a little more dog friendly.
  • Egg hunt 101. If your pet has never done a hunt before, be patient. Start off slowly by putting a treat ball or other dog suitable treat parcel in front of them so that they can munch away. Then walk through the garden and show your pet where you have hidden a few, they will quickly pick up what they need to do to continue getting treats.
  • Play nice! If you have more than one dog and you know there is a little troublemaker in the mix, have two hunts so that all can have fun with no stress.
  • Keep count. Make sure you know how many treats you hid so that you don’t run the risk of your pooch finding it when you are not around and eating it unsupervised.
  • Manners first. Try to hide the treats close to the ground to encourage good behaviour not to jump up or climb on things.
  • Lead with kindness. If you are keeping the leash on your dog, ensure you give them enough slack to do their hunt.
  • Switch it up. Investigate whether there is perhaps a dog Easter egg hunt in your area. It is always nice to socialize with others.

With the above in mind, we thought we would share a tail-wagging Easter Egg dog cookie recipe with you. If you are up for it these could be an eggselent treat to use for the hunt.

What you need

What to do

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Place steel cut oats in blender, food processor, or coffee grinder until they are almost at a powder/flour consistency.
  3. Combine peanut butter, hot chicken broth, olive oil, and honey. Stir until dissolved.
  4. Stir in ground oatmeal and flour until well combined.
  5. Place dough on a powdered surface and roll out to a 1/4” thickness.
  6. Cut out shapes with egg-shaped cookie cutters.
  7. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheetand bake for 10 minutes.

With all of the holiday snacking, you’ll have even more reasons to go for walks and play together to shed them again. Wishing you a happy and safe Easter break!

REFERENCES

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/8-dog-friendly-easter-eggs-19852254

https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/7-tips-for-creating-a-dog-friendly-easter-egg-hunt

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/dog-friendly-easter-egg-hunt/https://petcouponsavings.com/homemade-easter-egg-cookie-dog-treats/