Pet owners in the U.S. spend over $2 billion per year on treats for their dogs and over $3 million for cat treats, but unlike commercially prepared foods, treats are NOT complete and balanced and are often full of unhealthy fillers. This Valentine’s Day, show the pets in your life a heap of love with a batch of healthy, homemade treats. Because homemade treats have no preservatives, be sure to store them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Dog Treat Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup water, or as needed
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 Tbsp. peanut butter
  • 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
  2. Grease cookie sheets.
  3. Mix together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, corn meal, and rolled oats.
  4. In another bowl combine the water, oil, eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla extract and mix well.
  5. Gradually add the liquids to the dry ingredients and mix well.
  6. On a flat surface, roll out the dough and cut into fun shapes.
  7. Place cookies on cookie sheets and bake for 20 minutes, then turn the oven off and let the cookies remain in the oven for an additional 20 minutes to get crisp.

Homemade Cat Treat Recipe

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup no-salt-added chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup corn meal
  • 1 Tbsp. softened margarine
Instructions
  • Preheat conventional oven to 350° F
  • Combine chicken, broth, and margarine
  • Add cornmeal and flour
  • Knead dough into a ball and roll out to 1/4 inch thick
  • Cut into fun shapes and bake for 20 minutes on ungreased cookie sheets