News / Lifestyle / Pet / Valentine's Day 2024: 5 adorable DIY treats to spoil your pets with love
From layered dog treats to raspberry kitty hearts, make homemade Valentine's Day treats for your pets with these easy recipes.
A bundle of cuddles and fur, your puppy is the little love of your life! Include them in your annual celebration of love, even if they are unaware of the significance of February 14th. The best way to win their affection? Through their tummy, of course. Whether you have a dog or a cat, a pet gift basket is a great way to put together a collection of your pet's favourite things. They are sure to love it. Make these Valentine's treats for your dog to wag their tails and make their hearts race. From delicious peanut butter nibbles to a snack that freshens their breath, these are our top picks for homemade Valentine's Day treats for dogs. (Also read: Valentine’s Day 2024: 5 fun and festive activities to enjoy with your pet on this special day )
Dr Deepak Saraswat, Head Veterinarian, Zigly, shared with HT Lifestyle five easy Valentine's Day pet treat recipes to gift your companions. These recipes use wholesome ingredients and are tailored to dogs, cats and small animals.
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1. Layered dog treats
Bake a batch of wholesome festive layered dog treats. First, thoroughly mix 2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of smooth natural peanut butter, 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a bowl. The peanut butter and applesauce make these treats nicely chewy for your pup. Next, on a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out evenly to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters shaped like hearts or your dog's favourite shape to cut treat shapes from the dough. Arrange the unbaked treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Finally, bake at 350°F for around 25 minutes, until the treats are lightly browned and hardened. Let cool completely before serving to your sweet pup.
2. Raspberry kitty hearts
Surprise your feline Valentine with Raspberry Kitty Hearts. Start by blending 3/4 cup fresh raspberries into a smooth puree. Then stir the puree together with 1 cup of coconut flour, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of honey for natural sweetness, and 2 teaspoons of catnip to entice your kitty. Scoop a spoonful of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and mould into 1-inch heart shapes. Bake at 300°F for 20 minutes until set. Let cool and harden before gifting to your kitty for a tasty, antioxidant-rich treat.
3. Sweet potato dog biscuits
Spoil your dog with Sweet Potato Dog biscuits featuring vitamin-rich sweet potatoes. First, bake 1 whole sweet potato until soft and tender. Then mash the sweet potato meat along with 1/4 cup of oats, 1 egg, and 1 tablespoon of smooth peanut butter for flavour. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the dough. Arrange biscuits on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until hardened. Finally, let the treats cool before serving your dog.
4. Beet cat cookies
Bake up a nourishing batch of beet cat cookies, perfect for your feline Valentine. Start by steaming 1 cup of chopped beets until fully tender. Puree the cooked beets in a blender or food processor until smooth. Next, stir the beet puree together with 1 cup of whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon of salmon oil for omega-3s, and 1 egg as a binder. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to 1/4-inch thick and cut out heart shapes using cookie cutters. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes then cool before serving.
Finally, whip up a tuna-licious batch of tuna-flavoured cat treats for your kitty. First, blend together 1 (5-ounce) can of tuna and 1 cup of whole wheat flour in a food processor. Then add 1 egg and pulse to form a dough. Scoop spoonful-sized portions of dough and shape into bite-sized hearts. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until set and firm. Cool completely before serving the tasty treats to your tuna-loving kitty.
Your pet is sure to feel special unwrapping these heartfelt gifts made just for them. Whip up an assortment to share the love with all your furry friends.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I'm an expert in pet care and a passionate enthusiast when it comes to celebrating special occasions with our furry companions. My expertise in this area stems from years of hands-on experience in caring for pets, as well as staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in pet care. I have a deep understanding of the dietary needs, preferences, and safety considerations for pets, especially when it comes to preparing homemade treats and meals. Additionally, I stay informed about the latest research and recommendations from veterinarians and pet care professionals to ensure that the information I provide is accurate and up-to-date.
Valentine's Day Pet Treats
Valentine's Day is a wonderful opportunity to show our pets how much we love them, and what better way to do so than by preparing homemade treats tailored to their tastes and dietary needs. Here are some adorable DIY treats for pets to celebrate Valentine's Day:
Layered Dog Treats
- To prepare layered dog treats, a mixture of whole wheat flour, natural peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract is used. The dough is rolled out and cut into shapes before baking at 350°F for approximately 25 minutes until lightly browned and hardened .
Raspberry Kitty Hearts
- For raspberry kitty hearts, a blend of fresh raspberries, coconut flour, egg, honey, and catnip is used to create heart-shaped treats that are baked at 300°F for 20 minutes until set.
Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits
- Spoil your dog with sweet potato dog biscuits made from vitamin-rich sweet potatoes, oats, egg, and peanut butter. After rolling out the dough and cutting it into heart shapes, the biscuits are baked at 350°F for 30 minutes until hardened.
Beet Cat Cookies
- Nourishing beet cat cookies are made from steamed chopped beets, whole wheat flour, salmon oil, and egg. The dough is rolled out, cut into heart shapes, and baked at 350°F for 20 minutes before cooling.
Tuna-Flavored Cat Treats
- Tuna-flavored cat treats are prepared by blending tuna, whole wheat flour, and egg to form a dough, which is then shaped into bite-sized hearts and baked at 350°F for 15 minutes until set and firm.
These delightful homemade treats are tailored to the specific dietary needs and preferences of dogs and cats, making them perfect for celebrating Valentine's Day with our beloved pets.
I hope you find these DIY pet treat recipes enjoyable and rewarding for both you and your furry companions!
