Theobromine — also known as xantheose — is a bitter alkaloid found in the cocoa plant, which is used to make chocolate. Get tons of great dog training tutorials, canine gear guides, and the latest doggy discounts. However, it is not going to please everyone’s taste buds. You melt carob chips the same ways you melt chocolate. At first, the carob will look dry as it begins to melt, but use your spoon or spatula to mash them into smaller pieces. A small dog doesn’t have to eat much to run into serious problems. For example, the size of your dog matters a lot. Inexpensive when compared to other, similar products, 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee for 30 days, Entirely safe for dogs, though it is somewhat high in sugar, No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, Carob sandwich cookies with a natural peanut butter filling, Assorted flavors, including oats & apple, peanut, and vanilla, Includes only safe, healthy, all-natural ingredients, Contain no added salt, refined sugars, or artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, the amount of chocolate your pooch ingested, your dog’s individual sensitivity to chocolate. But we are so large that it takes quite a bit of caffeine to cause any harm (but that harm can be serious in some instances). Some reported that they were shipped in an envelope, so they came crushed. 9 min read Yields: Makes ½ Cup. Amy Tokic is the Editor of Petguide.com, the flagship site to over 70 different pet communities, which offers pet parents a one-stop-info-shop for all things dog and cat related. 1 cup tapioca starch. The compound that makes chocolate toxic for dogs is called theobromine. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to dogs. Most serious reactions come from these forms of chocolate. Dogs really like the taste. Kristin Hitchcock is a contributing writer at K9 of Mine, educating pet owners through her writing. Our human bodies are able to metabolize this compound, but your dog’s digestive system works differently. It’s best to to use a natural peanut butter that has no added sugar or salt. It is also a good source of fiber for your dogs too. You can treat your dog a flavor that's something close, though, by making peanut butter cookies with carob icing. 1 ripe banana; ½ cup carob powder; 1½ cups whole wheat flour* ¾ cup milk; ¼ cup cornstarch *If the dog has a wheat allergy, try alternative flours such as coconut, rice, sorghum or almond flour. And let’s be honest – dogs prefer stinky, wet, meaty smells over cacao. However, you can always break them in half if necessary. This includes things like: You’ll have to eliminate these ingredients when trying to customize a recipe for your canine. Amy's been with PetGuide since the beginning, guided by the wisdom of her Shih Tzu mix and furry roommate, Oscar. Place the top pan on top of the bottom boiler. You’ve probably seen carob on dog treats in fancy dog boutiques, and perhaps you stayed away from them because it looked too much like chocolate for your liking. Like cocoa beans, carob beans can be ground into a powder which can be used as-is or made into carob chips. They are safe for pets and healthier for humans as well. As it turns out, carob is not only pretty or tasty, it also has healing powers. While a small amount of chocolate won’t always cause life-threatening problems, you should always contact your vet if you suspect your dog ate any. It is very easy to prepare, simply add water to the powder as I did or melt 1 ½ cups of carob chips in a double boiler with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. So unlike chocolate, carob is actually healthy for Fido, helping improve digestion, lowering cholesterol levels and even treating loose bowels. Carob is a fruit that comes from the carob tree, hence the name. Carob looks similar to chocolate and the two are often confused. It works almost exactly like cacao and tastes similar too. They’ll never be able to enjoy the sweet, gooey goodness of a triple-overload chocolate chip cookie. Let’s list some of those below! They can be used just like regular chocolate chips for any recipe. Carob For Dogs I like to use carob as a way to jazz up special occasion treats—either by sprinkling a few carob chips into my dough to make carob-chip pupcakes or by melting the chips in a double boiler to create a biscuit icing. Only make as much as you need at that time. These yummy dog treats contain carob, which is a safe alternative to chocolate. I like to mix a teaspoon of carob powder with a bit of honey and filtered water. Truthfully, your dog would probably be happier with a slice of bacon, but we want to spoil our dogs the way we spoil ourselves — with chocolate! Note: This frosting dries hard. They contain no caffeine nor the compound called theobromine. Super Simple Two-Ingredient Treats. If you don’t want to worry about substituting carob into a regular cake recipe, this is a great option to try. Boasting a naturally sweet flavor, similar to chocolate, carob also contains a variety of healthy nutrients such as vitamins A, B, and D as well as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and protein. Customers described the taste as a pleasant mix of coffee and chocolate. While the carob tree was initially grown in ancient Greece, it is cultivated throughout the world today. We’ve tried icing made from the powder on a couple of our Dog Licks treats and loved the way they turned out. If you don't have a double-boiler, you can mimic the … Because carob doesn’t melt the same way as chocolate, it can be a bit trickier to work with, especially when it comes time to icing your dog treat. You can use carob in all kinds of recipes, ranging from chip cookies to a cake. Chocolate -- mankind's second-best friend -- is, of course, toxic to your dog. And so, carob becomes the best choice! Everything in this homemade dog donut treat is safe for dogs (and human alike) to eat. Carob chips are even available for recipes that call for chocolate chips. Carob for dogs Because you want to avoid giving your dog chocolate, carob is a good dog-safe alternative to chocolate. Its use in human diets dates back to ancient Greece. As you probably already know, chocolate can be harmful or even lethal to a dog who eats it. 8 Best Homemade Grain-Free Dog Treat Recipes. If you want to throw your puppy a birthday party, this is the canine cake mix to get. Has your pooch tried any of the snacks on this list? Chocolate is toxic to dogs because of two different chemicals it contains: theobromine and caffeine. 4 Non-Diet Reasons Your Dog Might Be Gaining Weight, QUIZ: Which foods have certain health benefits for your pets? Furthermore, it is organic, kosher, and vegan and has been 3rd party tested for purity and quality. These are usually the cause of death for dogs that overdose on chocolate. Carob is also a good fiber source for dogs and contains pectin (like apples) which helps flush toxins from the body. You may feel suddenly compelled to buy that chocolate-looking goodie for your darling fur baby. In fact, it usually only takes about 1.3 grams of baker’s chocolate per kilogram of body weight for a dog to start experiencing toxic symptoms. This powder has been lightly toasted, so it has more of a chocolate flavor than most other options. We never use fillers, by-products, preservatives or any other nasty additives. Our dog loves the carob icing on this donut dog treat, and will lick up every last crumb of it. Read ratings and reviews so you can find the right Carob Flavored Dog Treats for your pet. Carob chips work well for making an easy, delicious, nutritious icing for dog treats. Let us know in the comments below! We’ll explain everything you need to know about carob below, and share a few great carob products and recipes, so your pooch can start enjoying a canine-safe version of chocolate. You can use carob to make homemade treats for your dog, or you can purchase dog treats that contain carob and safely feed small amounts to your dog. Whether or not your dog experiences adverse side effects varies based on a variety of things. This is a great starter recipe, and your dog will think you’re a … As dangerous as chocolate is for dogs, carob is safe for dogs. But wait…there’s a chocolate substitute that’s perfectly safe for dogs, and it’s called carob. In a small bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal and carob … However, there is a way your pooch can enjoy chocolate aesthetics without all the canine-toxic chemicals that come with it: Just use carob — a dog-safe chocolate substitute — instead. Carob is made from the bean pods of the carob tree; is 100% natural and 100% healthy for dogs and gives them great health benefits. Our ingredients are gently dehydrated and 100% human grade. Caffeine is also toxic to dogs and lots of other species in high dosages. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435. Other ingredients are sweet potatoes, egg, whole grain flour, peanut butter and bananas. It takes about six to seven years for a carob tree to begin producing pods. By Plus, you can use this mix to make dog cupcakes as well for a pup party! It is sweet and often considered a “healthy substitute” for chocolate. These treats are not non-GMO and do contain wheat and canola oil, which some owners may want to avoid. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate have the highest levels of theobromine, followed by milk chocolate and white chocolate. About: If you aren’t into baking, these premade Three Dog Bakery Classic Cremes Baked Dog Treats may be perfect for your pooch. Dark chocolate is far more toxic than white chocolate, for example. Carob is known for having a comparable flavoring to chocolate, but with significantly fewer calories. Chocolate should always be considered dangerous, but that doesn’t mean dogs will always get sick after eating some. On top of that, it’s also free of caffeine, fromamide, or phenylthlamine, other dangerous substances found in chocolate. These all-natural treats are suitable for any canine with a sweet-tooth. If you’ve ever visited a high-end dog bakery, you know how alluring carob-covered dog treats can be. There are many different carob products available for dogs so that they can enjoy that delicious dog-safe chocolate taste without the health risk. Using carob as a dog-safe chocolate substitute is largely for the benefit of us humans. We're a company of pet lovers with a commitment to quality & making the tastiest product out there. For baking purposes, the plant functions almost just like chocolate—it even has a mildly sweet flavor. Carob powder has been used in health foods as an alternative to cocoa powder for humans for years, but why should humans have all the fun? Carob is a perfect replacement of chocolate if you want to avoid harmful chemicals like Theobromine and Caffeine. The recipe even includes nutritional absorption aids. The treats are rather large too, so you’re getting good bang for your buck. … We love chocolate and chocolate-covered goodies, so we associate them as special treats. The type of chocolate consumed will also influence how sick your dog gets. Check out our carob dog treat selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Also, this cake can be frozen, which makes it easier to store for long-term canine snackin’. Together, this pet power couple has their paw on the pulse of the pet industry, sniffing out trends, advice, news, tasty treat recipes and other tail-wagging stories. (Part I), Adult Pets Make Great Companions for Seniors. Carob powder is naturally sweet, so you don’t have to add a lot of sugar to get a good taste, and it has a flavor that resembles chocolate. Maple Frosting for Dogs. If you’re adding carob chips or powder to your treat recipe (like the Honest Kitchen’s I Love Carob Dog Treat recipe), just add in the carob ingredients that the recipe calls for. So why bother with carob at all? Key benefits of carob treats for dogs Made from Human grade ingredients Contain no Theobromine, Oxallic acid or caffeine ensuring they are a safe dog treat Carob is an excellent chocolate substitute for dogs. Carob also contains vitamin B1, niacin and vitamin A. About: The Puppy Cake Carob Cake Mix is specially designed for dogs. September 23, 2020. About: These Three Dog Bakery Cookies are made by the same company as the Classic Cremes discussed above. Carob is the fruit harvested from the carob tree native to the Mediterranean region (scientifically known as Ceratonia siliqua). As carob doesn’t contain theobromine or caffeine, it is also used to make chocolate-like treats for dogs. And while chocolate poses a year-round threat to Fido, most chocolate poisonings in dogs occur around chocolate-centric holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and Easter. That is – except for your dog. Everything you need to make a canine-safe carob cake for your dog, except an egg and some vegetable oil. Carob is entirely safe for dogs because it does not contain caffeine or theobromine. It is also high in antioxidants and low in fat and sugar – so you may want to think about trying some yourself. The health risks vary, sometimes on the amount or type of chocolate eaten. Kristin Hitchcock About: These Hoosier Hill Farm Carob Drops can be used as a substitute for chocolate chips in any recipe. Much like chocolate is made from cocoa beans, carob is made from…you guessed it, carob beans! And, as good as carob drops taste, you'll also be adding healthy roughage and nutrition to your homemade dog treat recipes. Treats Also, as with theobromine, dogs are more sensitive to the chemical than people are, so relatively small amounts can be dangerous. They’ll never be able to enjoy the sweet, gooey goodness of a triple-overload chocolate chip cookie. The farm these carob chips come from is in northeast Indiana, and they provide a freshness guaranteed. But once they mature, they’re quite prolific and get busy pumping out pods. Carob can be substituted for chocolate in nearly any recipe at a one-to-one ratio. Carob is great for calming an upset tummy and curbing diarrhea. A healthy and yummy treat for sure! About: If you want to use carob in place of cocoa powder while baking for your buddy, Terrasoul Supper Foods Organic Carob Powder is a great option. Carob is a chocolate substitute that's safe for pooches. Many people even reported making things like hot chocolate with it. Carob offers a different flavor and sweetness to baked dog goods. Stir continuously with a spoon or spatula until the chips become smoothly liquid, about 10 minutes. Wet ingredients may need adjusting, depending on … Read the label on the carob chips you select, as some have more added ingredients than others. Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius) and line 2 cookie cookie trays with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside. I use a double boiler on the stove, as I find the consistency of the melted carob is a lot smoother. Turn the temperature down to simmer. For all the chocoholics out there, imagine the thought of living without chocolate—the horror! And while chocolate is harmful to dogs, carob is safe for dogs to consume. Carob is full of vitamins A, B, & D. It also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, the list goes on. For all the chocoholics out there, imagine the thought of living without chocolate—the horror! She currently lives in Cookeville, TN with her husband, daughter, and very opinionated Husky, Atlas. The practical purposes of carob for our dogs is overwhelming, as you can read on and see. Shop Chewy for the best deals on Carob Flavored Dog Treats and more with fast free shipping, low prices, and award-winning customer service. Carob Chips Although the ASPCA advocates carob chips in place of chocolate chips for dogs, the organization notes that dogs may display signs of slight tummy distress after eating especially large amounts of the stuff. Melt 3 cups of carob chips in a double boiler and mix in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. All ingredients are natural and safe for dogs. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Carob Dog Cookie Recipe. The shipping and delivery of these cookies is sub-par, according to some customers. K9ofMine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Otherwise, they were a hit with most owners and dogs. Icing For Dog Biscuits Melting carob can … However, these are not filled with cream and come in multiple flavors. Make your dogs homemade treats more fun with a carob dip, drizzle or icing or flavour. These also have a bit more sugar in them than natural carob, and they are reportedly a bit waxy when you bite into them. Get the full dog treat recipe. The carob chips won’t melt the same way that chocolate chips do, but don’t be fooled, they’re just as soft and scrumptious when those cookies come out of the oven. A certified-organic, non-GMO carob powder that makes a great cocoa powder substitute for your canine-baking needs. Carob-flavored treats that are all natural, completely safe for canines, and made in the USA. According to the National Retail Federation's Valentine's Day Consumer Spending Survey, 21 percent of … Make sure that the water level never reaches the bottom of the top pan. Keep in mind that you should only give your dog treats in moderation, no matter what they have in them. There are very few people in the world who don’t like chocolate. The treats might be somewhat too big for small dogs. Carob is entirely safe for dogs because it does not contain caffeine or theobromine. Making homemade cookies with icing is a family fun way to provide your pet a special delight. Using the double boiler, fill the bottom pan half way full with water. Since dogs have never had chocolate before, they aren’t exactly missing out on its sweet, velvety texture. They come in a resealable bag and have a  similar taste to the cacao. They also come in a resealable bag, which is pretty convenient. While they do taste somewhat similar to chocolate, they do taste a little different. It's a fact: Americans will spend roughly $1.7 billion on candy to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. They're basically a spinoff of the oh-so-popular Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, but instead of using chocolate, I used carob! A more affordable alternative to the Three Dog Bakery Classic Cremes, these cookies are canine-safe and delicious for doggos. Each box comes with 13 ounces of cookies made with carob and peanut butter. There are quite a few dog treats that contain carob. Carob is usually bought as a powder or already made into desserts like cakes. When a dog does eat enough chocolate to become sick, he will usually experience these symptoms: After eating a potentially lethal quantity of chocolate, muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure may develop. A chihuahua is more likely to get sick from eating a given quantity of chocolate than a Bernese Mountain dogs is (although it remains dangerous for dogs of all sizes — it’s just more dangerous for small puppers). Like cocoa beans, carob beans can be ground into a powder that can be used as-is or made into carob chips. Carob is extracted from the carob bean that grows on the carob tree, a type of flowering shrub which belongs to the same family as peas (Fabaceae). If you didn't know it yet, chocolate is poisonous for dogs and eating even a little can make you dog very sick, or even kill him. Some of these require some baking on your part, but others are premade. 2 cup s whole grain flour. It's just whole foods with a dash of love. Drop dough onto cookie sheet & bake for 10-12 minutes Store in airtight containers &/or in fridge; or give to animal-loving friends & family, I sure do! Add 1 cup of carob chips and 1 teaspoon of canola oil for a glossy appearance. Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Carob Powder, 1 Lb - Cocoa Powder Alternative | High in Fiber She has rescued and cared for dozen of animals over the years, ranging from a one-eyed Shih Tzu to a disabled Chinese Water Dragon. Not exact, mind you, but it is pretty close! Where does carob come from? Some specialty dog bakeries will use a small amount of milk chocolate in their treats. Carob Chips – it might look like chocolate, but these kind of chips are safe for dogs. This mix is entirely safe for your dog and comes with almost everything you need to make a cake, including the frosting. K9ofMine.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Some recipes may not only include chocolate, but other ingredients that are dangerous to dogs. 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