How to Make a Charcuterie Board (+ One Your Dog Can Enjoy)

Why Your Dog Deserves a Spot at the Table

Charcuterie boards have taken over every gathering, from casual game nights to elegant dinner parties. They’re beautiful, customizable, and let everyone graze at their own pace. But here’s what nobody talks about: while you’re enjoying prosciutto and aged gouda, your dog is sitting there with those heartbreaking eyes, wondering why they’re left out of the fun.

Today, I’m showing you how to create a stunning charcuterie board for your guests AND a safe, delicious “pup cup” board for your four-legged family member. The secret? Many of the same ingredients work for both boards when you know what’s safe to share. You’ll prep once, impress twice, and never feel guilty about leaving your dog out again.

Let’s build both boards together.

Understanding What’s Safe to Share (And What’s Not)

Before we start arranging anything, you need to know the ground rules. Some charcuterie staples are perfectly safe for dogs in moderation, while others are downright dangerous.

Safe for both you and your pup:

• Plain cooked chicken or turkey (no seasoning)
• Carrots (raw or cooked)
• Apples (remove seeds and core)
• Cucumbers
• Plain cheese in small amounts (cheddar, mozzarella)
• Blueberries
• Watermelon (seedless, no rind)

Never for dogs:

• Grapes and raisins (toxic)
• Onions and garlic
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Anything with xylitol
• Processed meats with high sodium or seasonings

The game-changer: When you shop for your charcuterie ingredients, buy extra of the dog-safe items. A rotisserie chicken becomes meat for both boards. That block of mild cheddar? Cube some for you, slice some for your pup. You’re essentially meal prepping for everyone at once.

Building Your Human Charcuterie Board First

Start with your traditional board because it requires more variety and visual planning. This becomes your blueprint for the dog version.

The foundation strategy:

• Choose a large wooden board or slate
• Pick 3-4 cheeses with different textures (soft brie, aged cheddar, creamy goat cheese, firm manchego)
• Select 2-3 cured meats (prosciutto, salami, chorizo)
• Add 2 types of crackers or bread
• Include fresh and dried fruits
• Scatter nuts for texture
• Fill gaps with olives, cornichons, or spreads

Assembly secrets:

• Place cheese first as anchor points
• Fold or roll meats for height and visual interest
• Group similar colors together then break them up
• Leave small gaps for crackers to tuck in
• Add fresh herbs like rosemary for color and aroma

Pro tip: As you’re building this board, set aside plain versions of the safe ingredients. Slice that cheddar before you add it to the board. Dice some plain chicken. This takes zero extra time and sets you up perfectly for the dog board.

Creating the Pup Cup Charcuterie Board

Now here’s where it gets fun. Your dog’s board should look just as Instagram-worthy as the human version—because let’s be honest, this is going on social media.

Smart board selection: Use a small wooden cutting board, a shallow bowl, or even a muffin tin for portion control. The muffin tin method is brilliant for multi-dog households because each cup becomes a serving.

Building the pup board:

• Protein section: Diced plain chicken, turkey, or lean beef (cooked, no seasoning)
• Cheese corner: Small cubes of mild cheddar or mozzarella (about 1-inch pieces)
• Crunch factor: Baby carrots, cucumber slices, or apple wedges
• Sweet treats: Blueberries, small watermelon cubes, or strawberry slices
• Special touch: A small dollop of plain Greek yogurt or xylitol-free peanut butter in the center

Arrangement that works: Create sections just like the human board but think about your dog’s eating style. Put softer items in small piles they can lick up. Place harder items like carrots where they can grab them easily. Make it look abundant but keep portions appropriate for your dog’s size.

The secret nobody tells you: Freeze some of the fruits beforehand. Frozen blueberries and watermelon become longer-lasting treats that add an extra sensory element your dog will love.

Serving Both Boards Together (Without the Chaos)

You’ve got both boards ready—now comes the tricky part. How do you serve them simultaneously without your dog diving face-first into the human board?

• Timing strategy: Present the dog board first in their usual eating spot. Let them investigate and start enjoying it. Once they’re engaged, bring out the human board for your guests. Your dog will be too busy with their own spread to beg.
• Portion control matters: The pup board should have treats sized appropriately for your dog. A Chihuahua gets much smaller portions than a Golden Retriever. Generally, treats (including this board) shouldn’t exceed 10% of their daily caloric intake.
• The interactive element: Turn the pup board into a game. Hide some treats under a small cup or use it as a reward for tricks. This keeps them mentally stimulated while you’re entertaining, and they won’t feel left out of the social experience.
• Photography opportunity: Before anyone eats anything, get that side-by-side photo of both boards. This is content gold—a human charcuterie board next to a adorable pup version. Your guests will love it, and it makes for the perfect shareable moment.

Shopping List to Make Both Boards Happen

• Rotisserie Chicken (1 whole) – The ultimate time-saver. Shred some for your board with fancy seasonings, dice plain pieces for your dog’s board. One chicken, two purposes, maximum efficiency.
• Block of Mild Cheddar Cheese (8 oz) – Cube some for the human board, slice smaller pieces for the pup board. Mild cheddar is safe for most dogs in moderation and looks great on both presentations.
• Baby Carrots (1 bag) – Serve raw on the human board with hummus, use as crunchy treats on the dog board. They add that essential orange color pop to both arrangements.
• Fresh Blueberries (1 container) – Scatter on the human board for color, use as sweet treats for dogs. Bonus: freeze half of them for the pup board to make them last longer and add texture variety.
• Plain Greek Yogurt (small container) – Mix with honey for the human board’s fruit dip, use plain as a protein-rich addition to the pup board. Make sure it’s xylitol-free and unflavored for the dog version.

Make Every Gathering Pet-Inclusive

Looking for more ways to include your furry family members in everyday moments? Sweet Purrfections is your go-to resource for creative ideas that bring pets and people together. We believe the best celebrations are the ones where nobody gets left out—not even the ones with four legs and a tail.