Valentine’s Day 2024: Gift your paw friends with the tastiest homemade treats

Zigly’s head veterinarian, Dr. Deepak Saraswat in conversation with news agency HT Lifestyle shared five simple Valentine’s Day pet treat ideas to give your friends and family. These recipes are made specifically for dogs, cats, and small animals and call for healthy ingredients.

1. Layered-heart shaped treats

Make some healthy, festive, layered dog treats. To begin, fully combine in a bowl 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 egg, 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, and 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. The peanut butter and applesauce combine to give your dog delicious, chewy treats. Next, spread out the dough uniformly to a thickness of 1/4 inch on a surface dusted with flour. Cut treat shapes out of the dough using cookie cutters in the shape of hearts or your dog’s favorite shape. Place the unbaked goodies on a baking sheet covered with parchment. Lastly, bake for about 25 minutes at 350°F.

2. Antioxidant-rich Raspberry kitty treats

Give Raspberry Kitty Hearts to your feline Valentine as a surprise. To begin, purée 3/4 cup of fresh raspberries until smooth. Next, combine the puree with one cup of coconut flour, one egg, one tablespoon of honey for sweetness, and two teaspoons of catnip to attract your feline companion. Using a tablespoon of the batter, form the mixture into 1-inch heart shapes on a baking sheet coated with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes at 300°F, or until set. Allow to cool and solidify before giving to your cat as a delicious, high-antioxidant treat.

3. Sweet potato-enriched biscuits

Give your dog a treat by giving them biscuits made with sweet potatoes, which are high in vitamins. Bake one sweet potato whole until it’s very soft and tender. Next, mash the meat from the sweet potato with 1/4 cup of oats, 1 egg, and 1 tablespoon of flavor-enhancing smooth peanut butter. Roll out the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch on a surface dusted with flour. Cut figures out of the dough using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F, or until they become firm.

4. Beetroot cat cookies

First, steam one cup of finely diced beets until they are very soft. In a food processor or blender, puree the cooked beets until they are smooth. Next, combine the beet puree with 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon omega-3-rich salmon oil, and 1 egg to serve as a binder. Roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a gently floured board, then use cookie cutters to cut out heart shapes. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper. Before serving, chill after 20 minutes of baking at 350°F.

5. Tuna-induced treats

Lastly, prepare a delicious batch of cat treats with a tuna flavor for your furry friend. First, in a food processor, combine one 5-ounce can of tuna and one cup of whole wheat flour. After that, pulse in one egg to create dough. Form the dough into bite-sized hearts by scooping spoonful-sized chunks. Place on a baking sheet, then bake for 15 minutes at 350°F, or until set and firm.