Valentine dog treats, with a tasty strawberry twist, are a great way to celebrate this special day with your furry friend! These homemade dog treats are not only delicious but also healthy, featuring strawberries as the star ingredient to add a natural red hue. Perfect for showing your dog some extra love!
So let's get some tails wagging.
But first, let me tell you why you'll want to make these treats by listing some of the foodie facts below.
Valentine Dog Treats Nutrition
Strawberries: A great source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. They help support healthy digestion, boost immunity, and are low in calories.
Peanut Butter: Provides protein, healthy fats, B vitamins, vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium.
Oats: A good source of carbohydrates and fiber in the form of beta glucan, high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
These treats offer a tasty balanced snack your dog will adore. You might even want to try one yourself.😉
And, while your dog may be oblivious to all the good, healthy stuff they contain, you can bask in the glow of being the best dog mom!
Recipe Substitutions
Flour Substitutions If oat flour is unavailable or doesn’t suit your dog’s dietary needs, here are some alternatives:
Whole Wheat Flour: A common option, but ensure your dog isn’t sensitive to wheat.
Coconut Flour: Ideal for a grain-free option, though you’ll need less as it absorbs more liquid.
Brown Rice Flour: A good gluten-free choice, providing a mild flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions Tailor the recipe to your dog’s preferences or dietary restrictions with these substitutions:
Strawberries: Substitute with unsweetened cranberry juice or pureed raspberries for the red color.
Strawberry powder is another option that can be used in the recipe, or to use for a decorative dusting after the treats are baked.
Peanut Butter: Use almond butter or unsweetened pumpkin puree if peanut butter is unavailable.
Apple sauce can be substituted for peanut butter if desired.
Egg: Replace with 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water for a vegan option.
Heart-Shaped Treats: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for festive fun.
Add Carrots: Grated carrots add extra nutrition and sweetness.
Glazed Treats: Drizzle with dog-safe yogurt for a decorative touch. You can thicken it with a little bit of arrowroot or cornstarch.
Cheesy Bites: Add a sprinkle of shredded low-fat cheese for a savory twist.
RECIPE TIPS
Always use unsweetened and natural ingredients without additives like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Organic is ideal.
Test the dough consistency; it should be easy to roll out but not sticky. Adjust with more flour or water as needed.
Bake a small batch first to ensure your dog enjoys the flavor.
Instead of using cookie cutters, roll the
dough into a log and cut into 1/2" slices. Or, for very small training treats, cut the slices into six pieces.
Roll out dough and cut with a
pizza cutter
into squares or triangles.
Be sure to adjust baking time if smaller or larger treats are made.
For crunchier biscuits, leave in "turned off" oven for a couple of hours.
Serving Size for Dogs Offer treats in moderation based on your dog’s size and the size you make the treats:
Small dogs: 1-2 treats per day
Medium dogs: 2-3 treats per day
Large dogs: 3-4 treats per day
Always consult your vet if you’re introducing new ingredients to your dog’s diet.
Best Way to Store Store the treats in an airtight container: Room Temperature: Up to 1 week. Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks. Freezer: Up to 3 months (thaw before serving).
Actually, dogs don't mind frozen treats plus they can be soothing for a teething puppy, or on a hot day.
Combine oat flour, mashed strawberries, peanut butter, egg, and honey in a mixing bowl. Mix well.
Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a firm consistency.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out treats and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the treats are firm.
Cool completely before serving to your pup.
Enjoy creating these festive and nutritious treats for your furry Valentine!
Follow instructions above for best way to store.
Valentine Dog Treats recipe servings: 30 Estimated Nutrition Facts Per serving: Calories: 47 cal | Carbohydrates: 6.7 g | Protein: 1.8 g | Fat: 1.8 g | Saturated
Fat: 0.27 g | Cholesterol: 6.2 mg | Sodium: 2.7 mg | Potassium: 48 mg |
Fiber: 0.91 g | Sugar: 0.28 g | Vitamin D: 0.03 mcg | Calcium: 6 mg |
Iron: 0 mg| Vitamin C 2 mg
Want more treat recipes? Check out the sitemap for a variety of other healthy pup treats.
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