We're celebrating love this month, and that includes the bond between a dog and its owner. 

We often feel the need to give our pets extra love and care, and we’re always looking for ways to do so. With the season of love in mind, why not try making some tasty homemade treats for your dog? For a fun Valentine's Day, you should definitely try these three healthy dog treat recipes with a love-themed touch.

You can experiment with different ingredients to find what your pet enjoys. If you change any of the ingredients, be sure to use human foods that are safe for dogs. And please remember to check that all these treats are suitable for your dog's diet, as their health is a priority.

#1 Heart-Shaped Dog Cookies With Strawberries

Valentine's Day is often filled with sugary treats like candy hearts and chocolates. However, those aren't safe for our dogs. Instead of sharing human sweets, you can make your pooch some easy, heart-shaped dog cookies with strawberries. They're a perfect way to celebrate the day with your pup.

Showing love to our pets should be a year-round practice, not just a February event. These homemade heart-shaped treats are great to make any time you want to give your dog some extra love since the recipe is so easy to make and you only need four ingredients and about 20 minutes.

Ingredient list:

• Coconut flour: Used to make these healthy dog treats grain-free. Its white color allows the red strawberries to stand out.

• Coconut oil: Provides multiple benefits for dogs, including alleviating skin issues and aiding joint mobility. It contains high levels of medium-chain triglycerides, which may promote better cognitive function.

• Strawberries: Rich in vitamins and antioxidants for dogs. Their red color provides the perfect Valentine's Day look for heart-shaped treats.

• Eggs: Act as a binder to hold all ingredients together.

Making heart-shaped dog treats for Valentine’s Day:

Note: Coconut flour tends to absorb wet ingredients more than typical flour, which results in a dough that is wetter and stickier. For this reason, it's best to use floured hands to shape the dough, rather than using a rolling pin. If you choose to use a different flour, such as ground whole wheat flour, be aware that this will alter the dough's consistency, the baking time required, and the final appearance of the dog treats.

Step 1: Preheat | Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Prepare Strawberries | Chop the strawberries into small, bite-sized pieces on a cutting board.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients | In a mixing bowl, combine the coconut flour, chopped strawberries, and coconut oil.

Step 4: Prepare Eggs | In a separate bowl beat the two eggs.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry | Pour the dry ingredient mixture into the bowl with the beaten eggs.

Step 6: Adjust Dough | Add more flour as needed to reach the desired dough consistency.

Step 7: Roll Out Dough | Using floured hands, form the dough into a ball, and then roll it out onto a flat surface.

Step 8: Cut Shapes | Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from the dough.

Step 9: Prepare Baking Sheet | Place the heart-shaped treats onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 10: Bake | Bake the dog treats for 15 minutes, or until the edges are crisp.

Step 11: Cool | Allow the treats to cool completely before serving them to your dog.

The appropriate serving size depends on both the size of your dog and the size of the treats. Smaller dogs should only consume 1-2 small treats per day / Larger dogs can eat more treats. When trying new treats, it’s always good to start with a small amount and watch how your pet does with them.

#2 Love Heart Peanut Butter Dog Cookies

If your dog enjoys biscuits, this three-ingredient recipe could be a hit.

Ingredient list:

• Natural peanut butter

• Porridge oats

• One large ripe banana

Equipment needed:

• Mixing bowl

• Oven

• Parchment paper

• Rolling pin

• Fork

• Knife

• Baking tray

• Heart-shaped cookie cutter

Making heart peanut butter dog cookies for Valentine’s Day:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 2: In the mixing bowl, combine the banana and peanut butter. Try to mash them together with a fork.

Step 3: Add the oats to the banana and peanut butter mixture. Mix until a sticky, yet firm dough forms. If the mixture appears too dry, add a small amount of peanut butter. (Optional: To create a smoother dough you can blend the oats beforehand into flour using a blender)

Step 4: Roll out the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness.

Step 5: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or a knife to cut out individual heart shapes.

Step 6: Place the heart-shaped cookies on the prepared baking tray.

Step 7: Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.

Step 8: Ta Da! Remember to allow the cookies to cool completely before serving them to your dog.

#3 Chicken Bacon Dog Biscuit for Valentine’s Day

Meat-loving dogs will go wild for these homemade biscuits! They combine chicken, sweet potato, and bacon, three flavors that most dogs will enjoy. 

These healthy dog treats not only have flavors that appeal to many dogs, but they're also easy to make with just four steps and five ingredients. Sweet potatoes provide various vitamins and minerals, making them a beneficial ingredient for dogs when eaten in small amounts.

Ingredient list:

• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

• One 5-ounce can of chunk white chicken breast, undrained

• ¼ cup mashed sweet potato

• One egg

• 2 to 3 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and finely chopped

Making the chicken bacon dog biscuit:

Step 1: Prepare | Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and set it aside.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients | In a blender or food processor, combine the chicken, sweet potato, and egg. Process or blend until smooth. Transfer the chicken mixture to a large bowl, then add the whole wheat flour and chopped bacon; mix well to combine.

Step 3: Shape the Biscuits | Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it forms a cohesive ball. Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use a 3-inch dog bone cookie cutter, or any cutter of your choice, to cut out the biscuit shapes. Gather the dough scraps and re-roll, repeating the process as needed. Use a fork to poke four small holes in the center of each treat.

Step 4: Bake and Cool | Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. After baking, turn off the oven and allow the biscuits to cool inside for at least one hour. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Spoil Your Pup Without the Hassle

We know that life can get busy, and sometimes finding the time to bake homemade treats just isn't possible. But that doesn't mean your furry valentine should miss out on the fun! 

That's why Healthy Dogma created two special Valentine's Day packs to spoil your pooch with love and deliciousness.

Valentine Special #1

This pack is prepared with your special pet in mind and includes a healthy and delicious 2lb bag of our PetMix Lamb dog food. To make it extra special, we’ve paired it with 3 irresistible treats: a 5-pack of our Peanut Butter Carob Chews, an Ox Tail Chew, a specialty Valentine's Day cookie, and a fun squeaky Rhino plush toy to top it off.

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Valentine Special #2

If your dog has an extra big appetite or you simply want to spoil them silly, this treat box is the way to go! Including a jumbo (18 oz) crunchy treat, a bag of delicious freeze-dried duck training treats, 5 Peanut Butter Carob Chews, an Ox Tail Chew, a super cute squeaky rhino toy, and an extra special gourmet cookie.

It’s a lot of love in one HUGE box.

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