This is a (belated) Valentine’s Day call to celebrate the best examples of love in our lives: our dogs! Spoil those fur babies with homemade Valentine’s Dog Treats!

Homemade Valentine’s Dog Treats for the Furry Loves in Your Life

As of last January, our hearts and our home expanded to make room for a third dog, a rescue we met while visiting my boyfriend’s family in Florida. 

We couldn’t resist Pepper’s charms. She already had a food-themed name, so it seemed like a sign she was meant to join Julep and Maple Le and round out our home. She and Maple Le are the best of friends. We couldn’t imagine separating them. 

Our life became a fair bit more chaotic, and definitely a lot furrier (praise the geniuses behind robotic vacuums!), but life with three dogs is more joyful too. These crazy dogs keep me laughing, keep me moving, and oftentimes, keep me warm with their cuddles. Our home wouldn’t be the same without them tearing through it. 

Our Pack:

Each of our fur babies sparks joy in a unique way, but they’re all pretty deserving of a special homemade Valentine’s dog treat from time to time.

Julep (left): My “firstborn,” my girl, my first dog ever, the companion that has been faithfully by my side through thick and thin. She’s smart, and I swear she speaks English. She’s constantly watching me for cues, which unfortunately means she absorbs a lot of my stress. She knows my routines and faithfully accompanies me throughout my day. Has an obsessive energy for fetch and begrudgingly tolerates the brats we’ve added to her life.

Maple Le (bottom right): Oh boy, this baby is stubborn, but she has let on that she understands the rules, she just doesn’t care about them. She’s curious and makes up for her misbehavior with the best cuddles. Our perma-puppy with a squishy face. She has definitely added a lot of laughter to our lives.

Pepper Anne (top right): We call her the little therapist for the way she sits on the edge of a scene, with her paws crossed ever so daintily as if she will give you a full observation/assessment in the morning. She tolerates a lot of playful abuse from Maple. Thinks she’s a lap dog.

(I haven’t even mentioned the cat yet… I’ll save her for another post.)

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Homemade Dog Treats for Your Fur Babies:

This is a call to celebrate the best examples of love in our lives: our dogs!

Ingredients

Beet Hearts

• 1 small beet, peeled and boiled
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1 ½ cups oat flour, more as needed

Banana Hearts

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1 ½ cups oat flour, more as needed

Apple Beet Hearts

• ½ small beet, peeled and boiled
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1 ½ cups oat flour, more as needed

Directions

For each combination:

• Combine the fruit/root and water in a food processor until smooth.
• Add 1 ½ cups oat flour, and pulse until combined. Add more flour as needed, until a dough forms. The mixture will resemble pie dough or play dough.
• Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Use a rolling pin to roll to approximately ¼-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut into hearts or your shape of choice.
• Transfer the shaped cookies to a baking sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper. Spread the cookies in an even layer.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Bake the cookies until firm, about 30-40 minutes. Set aside to cool, then transfer to an airtight container, then reward the good fur babies in your household.