Valentine Treats for Dogs
Valentine’s day is almost here! And that means it’s time to show our pets some love! Wait, don’t we do that every day? Maybe a new toy will be wrapped up, or a special outing planned. But one thing we can bet on is that we’re sure some special treats will be on the menu!
And sure, it might be easy to head out and buy some premade Valentine’s treats for dogs (well, maybe not right now, admittedly), but these are made with… LOVE!
Plus, you know exactly what’s in them and can change up the recipes to suit your pup’s taste!
1. Blueberry Coconut Bliss
Simple, but sweet, this frozen treat delivers the powerful antioxidant properties of blueberries coupled with the antibacterial and nourishing properties of coconut oil! And, it’s super easy to make!
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup (or more) blueberries
To make the valentine treats for dogs, melt your coconut oil over a double boiler on the stove. Then, pour the liquid into small molds or even a small ice cube tray, leaving some room in each segment. Pop some blueberries in each segment, then place the tray in the freezer. Once they’re solid, pop them out and give as a daily treat or add to breakfast.
2. Meatloaf Pupcakes
These may not seem super appealing to you, but trust us, your pups will love these. With a good balance of muscle and organ meat, plus eggs and some greens, you’ve got a super nutrition-packed snack disguised as a tasty treat.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of muscle meat
- 1/2 organ meat
- 2 eggs (with the shell)
- 1/4 cup of chopped green beans (or other much-loved veggie)
- 1/4 blueberries
To make these pupcakes, mix everything together in a food processor or blender. Scoop them into muffin tins and bake at 325 for about 30 minutes. You want it to be lightly done, not overcooked – so nice and juicy in the center. Feed these within 3 to 5 days, and freeze any extra pupcakes.
3. Doggie Donuts
Who doesn’t love a good donut? Well, like the pupcakes these might not be up your alley, but your dog will be drooling all over the floor!
- 1 cup ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely diced veggies – we like broccoli and carrots for this one
- 1 tbsp flaxseed, ground
- 4 tbsp almond flour
Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl, then leave in the fridge to chill for an hour. Then, take them out and form them into donut shapes. You can either bake them briefly or serve them as is!
4. Banana Pumpkin Bites
Don’t have a ton of time? These 2-ingredient bites are the ultimate Valentine treat for dogs that are both easy and nutritious. Bananas are packed with healthy vitamins, and they’re also good for digestive upset because of the fibre content. Pair them with the pumpkin and they’re even better! Just keep in mind the sugar content – don’t feed the whole tray at once!
What you need:
- Bananas (as many as you want to make)
- Pure pumpkin puree (make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling!!)
**Want to switch these up? Try kefir instead of pumpkin puree!
Take your bananas, peel them, then cut them into good sized slices. Lay them on a baking sheet, then make a small hole in the middle of each slice, and fill with pumpkin puree. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze for about an hour, then store in an airtight container.
Spread the Love
Our dogs deserve the best, don’t they? This year, whip out a batch of any one of these Valentine treats for dogs (or try them all). Not only are you delivering healthy nutrition, you’re showing your pup just how much you care. And as always, don’t forget a snuggle and a kiss! Enjoy.
The Veterinarious team is made up of pet owners, pet lovers, and pet experts from around the globe! We’ve banded together to create a community of like-minded pet people to give you the latest research and health advice for your beloved beast!