Girl Scouts Add Dog Treats to Cookie Lineup

As the 2027 Girl Scout cookie season approaches, a new offering is set to debut, but this time it’s for dogs. The Girl Scouts of the USA will introduce Patch Pals, a blueberry muffin-flavored dog treat, marking the first time they have created a cookie specifically for dogs.

This innovation was developed in collaboration with BARK, known for their BarkBox subscription service. Each Patch Pal is soft-baked and designed with one of four ‘patch’ designs that symbolize iconic Girl Scout experiences.

Ben Donati, an emergency veterinarian from Apex Vets in Silver Spring, Maryland, shared his thoughts on the canine cookie. He expressed enthusiasm for the new addition, noting that it reflects a trend where pets are increasingly seen as family members. According to Donati, it seems natural to extend the Girl Scout cookie tradition to include pets.

However, Donati advised pet owners to moderate their dogs’ consumption of these treats. “Only about 10% of their diet should come from treats,” he cautioned.

“It’s important to remember that treats are not replacements for a complete and balanced diet,” Donati said. Avoiding overindulgence is key to maintaining a healthy weight in dogs, he added.

The introduction of Patch Pals aligns with the growing tendency of owners treating their pets as more human-like companions. This has implications for the pets’ health, as excessive weight from overeating can shorten a dog’s lifespan and strain its joints.

Donati noted that one frequent error by owners is inadvertently overfeeding through treats. He suggested considering using the dog’s regular kibble as rewards during training sessions or walks, rather than adding extra snacks.

In terms of behavior, Donati warned that offering treats at inappropriate times can reinforce unwanted behaviors, as dogs tend to associate the reward with their most recent action.

Despite these cautions, Donati praised the Girl Scouts’ initiative. “Overall, I think it’s great,” he said. The new canine cookies are expected to bring joy to both the Girl Scouts distributing them and the families purchasing them.

Sales for Patch Pals are slated to start on January 12, 2027.

Peter Burke, a lifestyle editor with Fox News Digital, reported on this development. He covers a range of lifestyle topics, particularly focusing on food and drink.