A happy pooch samples a dessert from Scoopy Doo’s in Delray Beach. The store, owned by Dianna and Kyle Scotto, lets dogs enjoy treats such as prime rib flavored ice cream. Photos provided
By Arden Moore
As we embark on the holiday season that kicks off with Halloween and ends after we usher in the first day of 2026, taste buds are about to be tempted. But what may be delicious and safe for us to eat can be downright dangerous to our dogs.
Case in point: dark chocolate. For people, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, offers dietary fiber, and contains flavanols touted to improve blood flow. Some studies suggest it may boost brainpower. Can I get a yum?
Unfortunately, dark chocolate contains theobromine, definitely a no-no ingredient for dogs. Within six hours of ingesting dark chocolate, depending on the size and health of the dog, these symptoms can surface:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rapid heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures
• Death, in severe cases.
As a master pet first aid/CPR instructor and founder of Pet First Aid 4U, I am on a mission to help you and your pets enjoy a tasty — and safe — holiday season.
Prevent an unplanned visit to the emergency veterinary hospital by never sharing these holiday foods with your pets:
Pumpkin pie, loaded with sugar or artificial sweetener xylitol, can cause digestive upset, liver issues and seizures.
Seasoned turkey, especially the skin, fat and gravy, can trigger painful pancreatitis.
Stuffing that contains seasonings and onions can damage red blood cells.
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure.
Eggnog can lead to tremors and seizures, especially if you add alcohol.
Now that we have addressed no-no foods, it’s time to celebrate the holidays and beyond with our dogs by treating them to healthy options. Fortunately, in Palm Beach County, I found a pair of dedicated dog advocates who know pet nutrition and who have been creating healthy treats for our canine pals.
Dianna Scotto has been operating Scoopy Doo’s in Delray Beach with her son, Kyle, since moving to South Florida in 2013 after serving 25 years in the New York City Police Department.
Carrie Sarabella, who operates Snaks 5th Avenchew in Boca Raton, watches her dog, Belvedere, devour a cake. Her cakes can include applesauce, peanut butter, yogurt and tapioca.
Carrie Sarabella is also a native New Yorker, an award-winning equestrian and dog mom who operates Snaks 5th Avenchew in Boca Raton.
At Scoopy Doo’s, all dog cakes and ice cream desserts are made in house and with human-grade ingredients.
Some are definitely targeted for canine taste buds. I know my three dogs, Kona, Emma and Nova, would drool for prime rib flavored ice cream and the carob brownie cake.
“The prime rib ice cream is made with lactose-free milk, gelatin and beef bone broth,” says Dianna, who has been active in dog rescue adoption efforts for more than 10 years. “Some of our doggy regulars also like our cheese-flavored ice cream. There is nothing in our store that I would not feed my dogs.”
Her dogs are Chihuahua mixes she rescued who answer to the names of LJ, Sassy, Cash Money and Tito. Also in her home is a “forever rescue” named Bibi, who is blind, deaf and 17 years old.
Scoopy Doo’s is known for its doggy cookies homemade from whole wheat flour and peanut butter.
“When customers enter our store with their dogs, we always ask if their dogs have any dietary restrictions and we guide them to healthy options,” says Dianna. “We also offer a line of one-ingredient treats, like dehydrated liver chips and organic chicken or bone broth.”
Carrie spent 14 years as a lead anesthesia technician. She loved the medical field, but her priorities shifted when her then-dog Pinero, an American cocker spaniel, struggled with food allergies.
“It’s a lengthy process to try to figure out food allergies and what to eliminate from the diet,” says Carrie. “Pinero had extreme allergies being treated by antibiotics and other prescriptions. The dosage kept increasing. I felt there had to be a better alternative to antibiotics.”
Carrie now has a certification in canine nutrition and works closely with veterinarians to ensure her pet bakery provides safe and nutritious offerings. They include dog treats with such ingredients as steel-cut oats, applesauce, peanut butter, yogurt, tapioca and rye flour.
Her current dog, Belvedere, is a black Labrador retriever. His allergies are controlled by a healthy diet, and he happily serves as the store’s official cheese-tasting officer.
“Belvedere also eats all our wheat-free treats made with oats, peanut butter, cinnamon and pumpernickel,” says Carrie. “Knowing what he can and cannot eat makes him a great taste tester.”
She also makes treats for horses that are shipped to equestrian advocates all over the country. One of her top online items is a birthday cake for horses she has trademarked as a “birth-neigh cake” made of oats, molasses, apples and cinnamon.
“Our pet bakery is primarily for dogs, and our online store caters to the horse/equine world,” she says.
For this holiday season and beyond, Dianna and Carrie plan to continue to dish up healthy ingredients safe for their dogs and for their clients’ dogs.
Bone appetit!
Arden Moore writes about pets and can be reached at fourleggedlife@gmail.com.
Healthy choices and emergency help
Snaks 5th Avenchew offers healthy treats for dogs, horses and other pets and is owned by Carrie Sarabella. The shop, located at 555 N. Federal Highway, Suite 7 in Boca Raton, also ships its treats all over the United States. Learn more at www.snaks5thavenchew.com.
Scoopy Doo’s is owned by the mother-and-son team of Dianna and Kyle Scotto and is at 507 E. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. The cakes, cookies and ice cream are made of human-grade ingredients. Learn more at www.scoopydoosdelraybeach.com.
The ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline is staffed 24/7 by board-certified veterinary toxicologists. Keep its toll-free number handy: 888-426-4435. Learn more at www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control.
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