Dog treats are one thing, but sweets specifically for Valentine’s Day are in a league of their own. Love is in the air for this special day so show your pup some love. As a dog parent, you’re everything to your furry baby, so make Valentine’s Day as special to your dog as you want it to be for yourself with DIY Valentine’s Day dog treats.
Nothing else in this world makes them happier than a bucket full of candy treats, but you can’t just give them the usual candies we humans eat. A word of warning: Dog treats and candies should be made specifically for dogs, with the safest ingredients that won’t lead to discomfort and an upset stomach. If you are unsure, please consult your veterinarian.
Heart-shaped popsicles
Your pup will love the sweet taste, and there’s no need to tell them that it has their daily dose of vitamins.
You’ll need:
Plain yogurt
Cheese cubes
Heart-shaped cookie cutter
How to make:
1 – Mix all ingredients in a blender to form a hom*ogenous mixture.
2 – Pour this into popsicle moulds and place them inside the freezer until it solidifies.
Red candy canes
These are festive candy canes. But instead of them all, you’ll be giving your dog the red ones as it represents Valentine’s Day. However, one thing to note is that you shouldn’t give them any if they have diabetes or any condition aggravated by excess sugar.
You’ll need:
Non-fat powdered milk
Cane syrup (optional)
How to make:
1 – Combine the powdered milk and cane syrup in a bowl and stir until you achieve an even dough. Roll them into long thin ropes and twist them around each other like you would with a candy cane.
2 – Leave them to solidify. You can place them in the fridge to speed things up.
Bone-shaped pretzels
These are oh so tasty, and the added sprinkles on top are a bonus for your pup. Make sure to choose salt-free pretzels to be safe for them to eat. It’s your Valentine’s Day present to your furry best friend, so don’t skimp on the other ingredients.
You’ll need:
Salt-free pretzels
A handful of cranberries, cut in half
A handful of strawberries, chopped fine
Melted cheese for the top
How to make:
1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2 – Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until you get the right consistency.
3 – Spray cooking oil onto your baking sheet to easily remove the pretzels after they’re cooked. Shape them into bone-shaped pretzels and flatten the sides a bit for that authentic look.
4 – Place them inside the oven and bake until they turn golden brown. This should take about 15 minutes to achieve, so check them now and then for consistency’s sake.
Doggie donuts
Who can resist a delightful donut? Well, your dog won’t either. Use only healthy ingredients for this one because you don’t want them to develop food allergies or digestive issues.
You’ll need:
A cup of all-purpose flour
Eggs
Vanilla extract
How to make:
1 – Mix the eggs and vanilla extract in a bowl.
2 – Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl, then pour in the egg mixture and mix to get an even dough that’s neither too sticky nor too coarse.
3 – Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1 centimetre thick. Use your cutter to cut out donut shapes, then transfer them onto a baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking oil.
4 – Place the donuts inside your oven and bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about half an hour or until they turn golden brown.
Mint apple treats
A dog with a sweet tooth can’t get enough healthy apple treats. Put in some mint flavour for a fresh breath, too.
You’ll need:
Apples (washed, cored, and sliced)
Baking powder
Water
Cinnamon or mint (optional)
How to make:
1 – Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2 – Combine apple slices, baking powder and water in a large saucepan. Cook on medium heat until you achieve a paste-like consistency.
3 – Let it cool down completely before putting them inside a blender for a fine puree. If your dog is young or has tooth problems, you can blend the puree into a coarse mixture instead.
4 – Mix in cinnamon or mint for more flavour and roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface until it’s about 0.5 centimetres thick. Cut them into shapes with your cookie cutter of choice and transfer them on top of a baking sheet sprayed with cooking oil.
5 – Bake them at a low oven temperature of 275 degrees Fahrenheit for three hours or until they turn golden brown. You can store these in the freezer and take out a couple whenever you need to treat your pooch with something delicious.
Banana candies
Bananas are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, dietary fibre and other healthy nutrients for your pup. They’re also easy to make and store, so you can always whip up a batch whenever you need them.
You’ll need:
Bananas
Baking powder
Water
How to make:
1 – Grate the bananas into a large bowl. Mix baking powder and water until you get an even dough that’s neither too dry nor runny.
2 – Roll out onto a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1 centimetre thick, then cut them into shapes with your cookie cutter of choice. Transfer them onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking oil before placing them inside the oven to bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for three hours or until they turn golden brown.
3 – Let them cool down completely before giving them to your dog. There’s always the option of storing the leftover in the fridge for another day.
Pumpkin biscuits
For our last recipe on the DIY Valentine’s Day Dog Treats list, we want to share pumpkin biscuits. Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects your dog’s cells from damage. It also contains vitamin C and E to strengthen their immune system while promoting healthy fur growth.
You’ll need:
1 cup of wholemeal flour
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 cup of pumpkin puree
Flax seeds (optional)
How to make:
1 – Mix the flour, baking powder and pumpkin until you get an even dough that’s neither too dry nor runny. If it has a loose consistency add more flour; if it’s too coarse or sticky, add more pumpkin.
2 – Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface until it’s about 0.5 centimetres thick, and cut them into shapes with your cookie cutter of choice. Transfer them onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking oil before placing it inside the oven to bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
3 – Let them cool down completely before giving them to your dog, and store any leftovers in the fridge.
You can’t go wrong with any of these dog candy ideas on Valentine’s Day. So, it’s not just about the usual walk in the park and off-leash running; get cozy at home on this special day and give your best buddy some treats he deserves.
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About Me: I am an expert in pet care and animal nutrition with years of experience in creating and developing healthy and delicious treats for pets. I have worked closely with veterinarians and pet nutritionists to ensure that the treats I create are not only tasty but also safe and beneficial for pets. My expertise extends to understanding the dietary needs of different animals and creating specialized treats to cater to those needs. I have also conducted extensive research on pet nutrition and behavior, which has further enhanced my knowledge in this field.
Dog Treats for Valentine's Day: This article discusses the creation of DIY Valentine’s Day dog treats, emphasizing the importance of using safe and healthy ingredients specifically tailored for dogs. It includes recipes for heart-shaped popsicles, red candy canes, bone-shaped pretzels, doggie donuts, mint apple treats, banana candies, and pumpkin biscuits. Each recipe is designed to provide a special and enjoyable treat for dogs while ensuring that the ingredients are safe and beneficial for their health.
Heart-shaped Popsicles: To make heart-shaped popsicles for your pup, you will need plain yogurt, cheese cubes, and a heart-shaped cookie cutter. The ingredients are blended to form a hom*ogenous mixture, poured into popsicle molds, and frozen until solidified.
Red Candy Canes: The recipe for red candy canes involves non-fat powdered milk and cane syrup. The ingredients are combined to form a dough, which is then shaped into candy canes and left to solidify. It is important to note that these should not be given to dogs with diabetes or any condition aggravated by excess sugar.
Bone-shaped Pretzels: For bone-shaped pretzels, salt-free pretzels, cranberries, strawberries, and melted cheese are used. The ingredients are mixed, shaped into bone-shaped pretzels, and baked until golden brown.
Doggie Donuts: The recipe for doggie donuts includes all-purpose flour, eggs, and vanilla extract. The ingredients are mixed to form a dough, which is then rolled out, cut into donut shapes, and baked until golden brown.
Mint Apple Treats: Mint apple treats require apples, baking powder, water, and optional cinnamon or mint. The ingredients are cooked to a paste-like consistency, pureed, mixed with cinnamon or mint, rolled out, cut into shapes, and baked until golden brown.
Banana Candies: The recipe for banana candies involves bananas, baking powder, and water. The bananas are grated, mixed with baking powder and water, rolled out, cut into shapes, and baked until golden brown.
Pumpkin Biscuits: For pumpkin biscuits, wholemeal flour, baking powder, pumpkin puree, and optional flax seeds are used. The ingredients are mixed to form a dough, rolled out, cut into shapes, and baked until golden brown.
These DIY Valentine’s Day dog treats are a thoughtful and healthy way to show love and appreciation for your furry companion on this special day.
