Girl Scouts of the USA will introduce a new product line in its 2027 cookie season: Patch Pals, a soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored treat designed specifically for dogs. The treats are developed in collaboration with BARK, the company known for BarkBox.
Patch Pals will feature one of four "patch" designs, reflecting iconic Girl Scout experiences. This expansion into canine confections comes as pet ownership and the humanization of pets continue to rise in the United States.
Ben Donati, an emergency veterinarian at Apex Vets in Silver Spring, Maryland, noted that the move makes sense given how many Americans consider pets to be family members. "So, probably a light bulb went off in someone's mind that, why not sell to the four-legged member of the family," Donati said.
While the ingredients in Patch Pals did not raise immediate alarms for Donati, he cautioned pet owners against excessive treat consumption. "We tend to say about 10% of their diet should come from treats, or up to 10% really," he advised. He added that "probably shouldn't eat a whole box of Patch Pals," emphasizing that treats are not a substitute for a complete and balanced diet.
Donati highlighted that excessive treat intake can lead to unintended overfeeding, a common mistake among pet owners. He explained that overweight dogs often have shorter lifespans and can experience increased strain on their joints. "There is an emotional component to it. There's a psychological component to it," Donati said, referring to the tendency for owners to anthropomorphize their pets. "We anthropomorphize our pets. We take pictures of them where they look like they're smiling."
To manage treat intake, Donati suggested that owners of food-motivated dogs could incorporate a portion of their pet's regular kibble into training or walks as rewards. He also pointed out potential behavioral consequences, noting that owners can inadvertently reinforce unwanted behaviors by offering treats at inappropriate times.
Despite these cautions, Donati expressed an enthusiastic reception for the Girl Scouts' canine cookie experiment. "Overall, I think it's great," he stated, anticipating that the treats will "add a lot of fun for the girls who are selling them and the families who are buying them." Patch Pals are slated to go on sale starting January 12, 2027.