Valentine Treaties for Your Four-legged Sweeties

Who is your Valentine this year?  Is it your dog?  According to WikiAnswers, about 3% of pet owners buy a Valentine’s Day gift for their pet.  Three percent seems a little low but the numbers are increasing as more owners celebrate the unconditional love that their pet gives them all year long.  But what should you get to show your love and appreciation for man’s best friend?  In the human world we give chocolates and roses or cute little cards and candies.  But since dogs can’t enjoy those types of things, what do you give a dog? Why not treat your pup to something sweet.  (Well, not actually sweet).  

While we all know (or should know) that you can’t give a dog human sweets (especially chocolate), we may not know that there are dog bakeries that bake goodies for dogs.  What’s the difference in a human cookie and a dog cookie you may ask?  Well first, dog treats should always be made with whole-wheat flour or rice flour instead of all-purpose flour.  Secondly, there should be no sugar in dog treats.  Cake frostings and cookie dip should be made from other ingredients like organic peanut butter, cream cheese, meringue powder, cottage cheese, yogurt, or Carob (a chocolate substitute).  Lastly, dog treats should be made with all natural ingredients without preservatives or ingredients that you can’t pronounce.  And just because it is called a treat doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy.  The more organic the treat, the better it is for your dog.

Bake a special treat for your pup this Valentine’s Day…..

Ingredients:

1 Egg

¼ Cup applesauce

½ Cup beef or chicken broth

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Tablespoon molasses

¼ Cup oil

2 ¼ Cups whole-wheat flour

2 Cups carob chips

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 300˚F

2.       In a large bowl, combine the egg, applesauce, broth, honey, molasses, and oil. Gradually stir in flour.

3.       Dough should be stiff, add flour or water to adjust.

4.       On a well-floured surface, roll out dough into ¼ inch thickness.

5.       Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make shapes from the dough.

6.       Place on lightly greased cookie sheets and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.

7.       Melt carob chips in microwave or double boiler.

8.       Dip half of the heart into the melted carob.

9.       Place cookies on waxed paper and let stand until carob is set.

Not one for baking? That’s ok too because there are professionals who do it every day so that you don’t have to.  Here are some local dog bakeries across southern California:

Jackboy’s Dog Bakery in Corona, Norco, Studio City, Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Newport Beach,  Newport Coast, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Corona Del Mar, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Temecula, Wildomar, Lemoore, Rancho Cuchamonga, Upland, Alta Loma, Redlands, and Yucaipa.   

Three Dog Bakery in Lake Arrowhead, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Los Angeles, Old Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, and Del Mar. 

Sophie’s Dog Shop and Barkery in Fullerton

Le Woof Dog Bakery & Boutique located at 18306 Imperial Highway in Yorba Linda. 

*Remember, dogs should never eat as many cookies or as much cake as humans do.  Just one or two bites make an exciting treat for your dog without causing a tummy ache later.  Bone Appétit!