Pet-Friendly Valentine’s Day

Our pets give us unconditional love all year round, so let’s be sure to show them how much we love them on Valentine’s Day! You’ll find fun and unexpected ways to treat your dog or cat, as well as great gift ideas for pet lovers on this list.

1. Whip Up a Snack

The way to our pets’ hearts is often through their stomachs. And since you can’t offer pets a box of chocolates (see why chocolate is dangerous for pets), these heart-shaped snacks for cats and dogs are the perfect goodies to make them swoon.

Baked Tuna Hearts for Cats

Tuna is sure to melt any cat’s heart! These snacks are quick and easy to make. All you need is a can or package of tuna and a baking sheet.

1. Open the tuna and drain the water. Your cat may come running at the smell of that tasty fish!
2. Mold the tuna into small hearts with your hands. You can also use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to press them out if you have one.
3. Place them on a baking sheet about an inch apart. You can add a layer of tinfoil to help prevent them from sticking to the sheet.
4. Put them in the oven at a low temperature until they are warm. The timing will vary depending on whether you kept the tuna at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
5. Take them out when they’re done, and place one or two on a pretty plate for your cat to enjoy. Just make sure they’re not too hot when you dish them out.

Sweetheart Dog Biscuits

Your dog will fall head over heels for these heart-shaped biscuits, which have the taste of sweet honey, tasty bananas, and spicy cinnamon. Before making, be sure to double-check the yogurt is xylitol-free.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 C. oat flour
• 1/4 C. rice flour
• 1 C. wheat flour
• 1/4 C. water
• 1/2 C. plain yogurt
• 1/4 C. pureed banana
• 1 T. canola oil
• 1 T. honey

Here’s what to do:

1. Mix the dry ingredients, including the cinnamon, oat flour, rice flour, and half of the wheat flour, in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In another bowl, combine the water, pureed banana, yogurt, honey, and canola oil. Blend with an electric beater.
3. Add the dry ingredients from the small bowl and continue to mix until it’s nicely blended.
4. Pour in the remaining wheat flour a little at a time until it becomes a stiff dough.
5. Sprinkle a bit of flour on a surface, like a clean countertop or large cutting board, and roll out the dough so it is 1/4 or 1/2 inch thick.
6. Use a heart-shaped cookie-cutter to press out the shapes. If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can cut the shapes with a small glass to make circles and mold them into hearts.
7. Bake at 300 degrees until golden brown. The time will depend on the thickness of the biscuits, so be sure to keep an eye on them!
8. Remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool and harden.

You can also turn the oven off and leave them in for an hour or two to make sure the biscuits are dry and crunchy.

2. Offer Fruits and Veggies

Not much of a cook? That’s okay. An easy way to treat your pet to something yummy is to offer a healthy snack of fruits or veggies. Just make sure they’re safe for your furry friend.

All of these goodies are okay to give to your pet:

Fruits

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Oranges
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
• Kiwis
• Pumpkins

Veggies

• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Spinach
• Kale
• Green Beans
• Squash
• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes (cooked)
• Edamame
• Cucumbers

Be sure to wash the fruit or vegetables thoroughly and remove any seeds. You should cut it up into bite-sized pieces to help prevent choking. Serve them lightly steamed, baked, pureed, or raw. You can even cut them up into small heart shapes!

Learn more by checking out our infographic on pet-safe fruits and veggies.

3. Buy Something Yummy

If you don’t have time to whip up something special in your kitchen or your pet doesn’t go for fruits and veggies, pick up a special snack at the store. Just be sure to go easy on those goodies and check the ingredient list. Store-bought treats can contain a lot of salt, sugar, and fats, which can be unhealthy for your pet.

In fact, too many treats can cause your pet to gain weight, which can lead to obesity. Obesity is a growing problem for pets and can result in all kinds of health issues, from back pain and joint problems to heart disease and diabetes.

4. Plan a Spa Day

Plenty of pets enjoy a good bath and brushing. It not only helps keep them clean and pretty but also supports a healthy coat and skin by stimulating circulation. A great way to celebrate your pets and Valentine’s Day is by planning a day of pampering at home or setting up an appointment at a local groomer or pet spa.

5. Write a Poem

Show your love for your pet in words by writing a poem. You don’t have to be Wordsworth to do it. Just think about it as a fun way to express your feelings and what you love most about your pet. It can be cute, serious, or sappy.

Once you’ve finished, get down on your pet’s level and read it to them. Sure, your furry love may not understand all the words, but pets can appreciate the tone of voice and the extra attention. Not the poetic type? You can also try writing a song to sing to your pet.

6. Give a Gift

Who doesn’t love a present? You can make a special something for your furry friend or buy a pet-safe toy at your local pet store. Here’s a list of gift ideas for pet lovers like you:

Gift Ideas for Pets:

• Heart-shaped cat toy with catnip
• Trendy dog collar and matching leash
• Fancy cat collar—even indoor cats should have collars and ID tags in case they get out unexpectedly
• Food or water bowls with a heart design
• Cozy red dog sweater
• Squeaky heart chew toy
• Puzzle toy stuffed with treats—make it red for Valentine’s Day!

If you wrap your gift, consider using wrapping paper made specifically for dogs, which doesn’t contain toxic dyes. In any case, you should make sure your pet doesn’t chew on the paper or play with ribbons or bows—known choking hazards for our pals.

7. Get Pet Insurance

While it’s not something you can wrap up, a pet insurance plan is a wonderful Valentine’s day pet gift. It can help you provide the best possible care for your pet in case of an accident or an illness. It can also cover wellness treatments to help your pet live a long and healthy life. See what you should know about pet insurance.

8. Keep Your Pet Safe

In addition to treating our pets this time of year, we can show them how much we care by doing our best to keep them safe. That means taking precautions to protect them against potential holiday hazards. For instance:

• Put that box of Valentine’s Day chocolates out of paw’s reach.
• Keep candy and desserts away from your pet, especially if they contain the sweetener xylitol.
• Watch out for flowers in holiday bouquets that can be harmful to pets, such as roses with sharp thorns or Lilies, which can be toxic to cats. Learn more about plants that are toxic to dogs and plants that are poisonous to cats.

Don’t forget to take some photos of your pet to share with others and remember their special Valentine’s Day celebration.

_{Reminder: Treats such as these should not make up more than 10% of a pet’s caloric intake. Also, stomach upset may occur in pets who do not tolerate dietary changes well.}

_{The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.}