A Puppy Picnic with Your Dog
How many of us have dreamed of creating a romantic picnic with your partner complete with wine and cheese, beautifully packed into a lovely wicker basket under the perfect tree with gorgeous weather? Now, as a married pet parent, I would love nothing more than to include our beloved pups in our park outings and I know anyone with a furry friend in their life wants to include them as well.
The time and effort it takes to put together a picnic is no small feat and when you throw in your pets to the mix it may seem just too daunting to attempt. Never fear, I’m here to make planning a picnic with your partner and pups a breeze!
Picnics are supposed to calm us down, not stress us out. With that in mind, I have created a Top 5 Tips list for the perfect picnic along with a Fido-friendly menu. You will enjoy a fun and stress free picnic with your pups at the park by following these simple steps.
- Practice at home first before you go public. This might sound silly but you will thank me later! Why not have a picnic in your own yard or a friend’s yard? Think of it as a trial run to get everyone accustomed to the concept.
- Check the forecast ahead of time. You don’t want to go through all the trouble of preparing food and packing the car with all the essentials just to realize you’re going to get rained out 5 minutes after setup.
- Find a shady spot for you and your pups. Dogs don’t sweat and can over heat very quickly so avoid direct sunlight and go when it’s not the hottest time of the day. This information can also be obtained when checking the forecast.
- Pack plenty of water and don’t pack foods your pup shouldn’t eat. Creating a straightforward menu with limited items keeps it simple and will be very helpful. I’m here to help by offering a couple of my favorite outdoor recipes both humans and canines will enjoy. This will ensure a healthy and happy time for all.
- Tether your dog while you’re eating. You want to make sure you arrive and leave safely with your dog. Keep them close by when you’re eating with the dog tie out system (a spiral stake that goes into the ground with a short cord and can be found in every dog store).
Puppy Picnic Recipes
Canine Chicken Salad
Ingredients
10 oz. of canned chicken
1 hard-boiled egg
1 tablespoon of finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons of shredded carrot
2 tablespoons of finely chopped green apples
1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons of dill
2 teaspoons of lemon
1 dash of turmeric
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl then separate into 2 containers clearly marked, one for you and one for Fido. Once separated, feel free to add any additional ingredients like salt and pepper to yours. Do not share with your pup.
Watermelon Pops
Ingredients
2 cups of seedless watermelon
1 cup of coconut water
2 tablespoons of fresh mint
Puree all ingredients then pour into a cute bone-shaped mold (or ice cube tray). Freeze for 3 hours and share with your pups!
Puppy Picnic Checklist
- 1 large sheet to create liner between blanket and dirty ground.
- 1 large blanket
- 1 damp towel (for dirty paws)
- 1 dry towel
- 1 spiral dog stake with short cord
- 1 water bowl
- 1 food bowl
- 1 gallon jug of drinking water
- Outdoor toys (Frisbee, ball, etc.)
- Poop bags/garbage bags
OMD! Did you know?
Carrots contain beta-carotene, which helps improve your dog’s coat color and eyesight.
Dill is known as an overall digestive aid helping with gas.
Mint is a natural flea repellent and in small amounts is suitable for your dog to consume.