Is your pet your favorite valentine?

By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist

My two very large dogs are my favorite Valentines. As I was searching for ideas for special treats to make them, I happened upon a wonderful new internet site for pets: Miss Molly Says.com. I’ll share a peanut butter snack recipe for dogs with you at the end (and a recipe for a cat treat). We all know peanut butter is a favorite of dogs, but is it safe for them? And is it safe for cats? It is not advised for cats. For dogs be sure to check there is no sweetener called xylitol or Birch Sugar which can be very dangerous for dogs. Peanut butter does have vitamins B and E but due to high sugar content use in moderation for your dog. Look for natural peanut butter or low fat and low sugar content.

Side note about Valentine’s Day that I learned from the latest issue of MaryJane’s’ Farm magazine. According to the National Retail Federation In 2022 Americans spent $26 BILLION dollars on things – including pets – related to celebrating Valentine’s Day. On average each consumer spent $200. Esther Howland, the “Mother of the American Valentine”, persuaded her father to print Valentines after receiving beautiful samples from England. He had a stationery business and in the mid-1800s began mass production of Valentine cards

There are reasons why your pet is your best date for Valentine’s Day. 1) Their schedule is free. 2) You don’t need to buy them flowers. 3) They’re OK with ANYTHING you plan. 4) They are not high maintenance. 5) You get to keep all the chocolate. 6) They don’t really care how much money you spend. 7) They’re the BEST cuddlers. 8) They are always thankful.

And now for the promised recipes! Along with the philosophy of less is more when baking treats for pets, only three ingredients – and hot water – are in this recipe. 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup of oats, ½ cup creamy peanut butter, and 1 ¼ cups hot water. Turn oven to 350*. Combine all ingredients and make certain you use hot water, not cold. Stir until dough forms. Flatten dough on counter and roll dough into one-inch balls. Once balls are on a greased cookie sheet, flatten criss cross style. Bake for 15 minutes. This will make a few dozen cookies. Store baked treats in the refrigerator. You can freeze part of the dough to use later. If I can find my heart shaped cookie cutter I will use it, but I guess pets won’t care what shape they are.

Easy Cat Treats – 1 14.75 oz canned salmon, 1 medium egg, 2 cups rice flour. Instructions: Over 350 – Makes over 100 – Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, Pulse salmon until smooth in a food processor. Add egg and flour and process until dough, Roll out dough between parchment paper, cut into small squares (or use small cookie cuter of choice), bake 20
minutes, turning over halfway for even cooking. Store in a sealed container in fridge.

You and your pet(s) have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. You eat the chocolate – it’s not good for any pets.