Ways to spoil your pet this Valentine’s Day

BY BRENNA DEMPSEY

Executive Producer

The day of love and affection is upon us, and who could be more loving and affectionate than our furry friends?

Do not miss out on the opportunity to show your pets how much they mean to you by doing something to make them feel important.

One great way to do this is by giving them a special treat. Pet stores have many different options for cat and dog treats, or you can even make them a little something if you are feeling creative.

A recipe found on the Smitten with Kittens rescue website lists some healthy and fun treats you can make for your cat. The “Baked Tuna Hearts” recipe is a cute and simple option to try.

Make sure the canned tuna you choose is packaged in water, not oil, and unsalted since too much salt is toxic for cats. Shape the tuna into hearts, bake it in the oven to warm it up then let it cool before serving.

You can even add a pinch of catnip to make it more appealing to your cat.

“Just remember that, as with anything, these treats should be given in limited quantities. Large amounts of fat, sugar or any food your cat is not used to getting can lead to vomiting, diarrhea or indigestion,” the Smitten with Kittens website said.

When it comes to dogs, they unfortunately have to miss out on the tradition of Valentine’s Day chocolate, but there just so happens to be a dog-safe cocoa alternative called carob powder.

Listed as non-toxic for dogs on the ASPCA information page, this can give your dog the experience of tasting chocolate with none of the stress.

The Gone to the Snow Dogs website has a recipe for “Chocolate Cookies For Dogs DIY Valentines Day Dog Treats” that might just make some tails wag.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

- 2 tbsp Carob Powder

- 1/4 cup Oat Flour

- 1/4 cup water

- 2 tbsp Peanut Butter

- 1 Egg

- 1/4 cup Coconut cooking oil

Instructions:

- Preheat your oven to 400 Degrees

- In a large bowl or a mixer, add all the dry ingredients and whisk them together — 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour, 2 tbsp Carob Powder and 1/4 cup Oat Flour

- Make a well in the dry ingredients

- Add all the wet ingredients – 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp Peanut Butter, 1 Egg and 1/4 cup Coconut cooking oil

- Mix until combined and forms a nice dough consistency

- Flour your surface and roll out your dough to 1/4 inch thick

- Cut into preferred shapes and place on your cookie sheet

- Bake for around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want the treats

- Cool on a rack and then decorate if you choose, or feed them to your pets as is

Spoiling them with treats is not the only way to your pet’s heart. Buying them some new toys can keep them entertained and happy.

Making a cute gift basket with an assortment of toys will be as fun for the pet parent as much as it is for the pet.

While this last option might not be a good fit for every pet, a little Valentine’s Day dress-up is a surefire way to mark the memorable day.

Buying them a little shirt or hat to represent the holiday will make for some fun pictures to keep around.