Homemade Treats For Your Furry Valentine

It’s that time of year when some people can’t help but exhibit signs of being twitterpated! (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, watch the classic Disney movie Bambi!) – You know what I’m talking about…around Valentine’s Day, love is in the air, cards with heartfelt messages are getting passed around, and lots of chocolate is being bought all over the world!  We as pet owners need to remember that, even though our playful pups and cuddly cats need some extra love on Valentine’s Day too, chocolate is definitely NOT something that we want them to get a hold of!

I’ve noted a section from my Christmastime Pet Safety Blog about the dangers of your cat or dog ingesting chocolate below:

* Chocolate is the most common toxic treat during the holidays. Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine all contain substances called methylxanthines. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. As somewhat of a guide, the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. For example, baking chocolate has the highest level of methylxanthines, while dark, milk, and white chocolate have lower, but still very dangerous, levels of methylxanthines. If ANY sort of chocolate is ingested by either dogs or cats, please seek Veterinary attention immediately.

If that put a damper on any gift ideas for your pet, have no fear! While we are eating our yummy chocolate treats, I have found some safe, easy to make, homemade treats for your pets to enjoy!

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Peanut Butter Dog Biscuit Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 340g      (2 3/4c) Whole Wheat Flour
• 340g      (2 3/4c) All-Purpose Flour
• 30g      (2T) Brown Sugar
• 5g      (1t) Sea Salt
• 3      eggs
• 225g      (1c) Peanut Butter
• 80ml      (1/3c) Vegetable Oil
• 235      ml (1c) Water

Directions:

1. Combine flours, brown sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add eggs and peanut butter and mix until incorporated.
2. Mix in oil. Next add enough water until dough is smooth and workable.
3. Cover the dough and set aside for 15-20 min. to relax.
4. preheat oven to 375º F & line a couple sheet pans with baking paper
5. Roll out dough to about 3/8″-1/2″ thick. Cut to desired shaped then put on sheet pans.
6. Bake for approx. 40 min. or until biscuits are slightly browned and fairly hard (they will harden a touch more when cool.) Set aside to cool then treat the pups liberally.

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Cat Cheese Treats

You need:
¾ cup of flour
¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese
5 tbsp of parmesan cheese
¼ cup of plain yogurt
¼ cup of cornmeal

 

** Those are just two examples, but you can find some other recipes at these websites! **
http://pinterest.com/newfandhound/dog-treats-homemade/

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=homemade+cat+treats

 

Remember, February & March is Blandon Family Veterinary Practice’s Dental Health Season, so call us and ask about a special promotion you can participate in if you schedule a dental procedure for your pet soon! Lindsey is looking forward to helping your pet have squeaky clean teeth! Feel free to come in and visit us! Our hours are as follows: Mondays & Fridays: 8am – 4pm / Tuesdays & Thursdays: 11am – 7pm / Every Other Saturday: 8am -12noon / Wednesday & Sunday: closed.

If you have any questions about anything you’ve read, please feel free to call us at 610-268-6208 or stop in to visit us! We would be happy to speak with you and answer your questions to the best of our ability!