Is carob safe for dogs?

Chocolate comes from cocoa beans, which are rich in theobromine and caffeine. Carob comes from a completely different plant, a Mediterranean tree whose pods are dried, roasted, and ground into a sweet brown powder. It is naturally sweet and contains fiber, so it can be used without added sugar.

That is why carob drops and carob-coated biscuits are sold for dogs at Easter and Christmas.

Carob bars and chips sold for people may contain sugar, palm oil, milk powder, and sometimes nuts. Some health food products blend carob with cocoa or add sweeteners. Check the ingredient list before sharing, and choose treats made for dogs whenever possible.

Carob-coated rice cakes and snack bars may also include raisins or nuts.

Carob is still a treat and carries calories, roughly 220 per 100 g of carob powder. A couple of carob drops or a single carob-coated biscuit is plenty for most dogs. Too much at once can cause loose stools because of the fiber and sugars.

Count carob treats within the daily treat allowance of about 10 percent of calories.

Mix a tablespoon of carob powder with oat flour, an egg, and a little water, roll into small balls, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes. These look like chocolate cookies, which is useful if children want to give the dog a treat that matches their own.