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Your pet doesn’t necessarily care about Valentine’s Day. Still, the annual holiday of love would not be the same if we didn’t include our furry friends. Seeing them “opening” their valentines, gobbling up homemade valentine’s treats (no chocolate, please!), and enjoying this day of love is so much fun. But, if your cat or dog already has everything under the sun, it can be challenging to find something new and exciting to give them, especially at the last minute! But, for the dog or cat with everything, these unique valentines ideas are sure to please.
Puppy Love
Barkbox subscription – Sign your dog up for a monthly box of treats and toys curated to their interests and playstyle. Each pack contains two treats, two toys, and one chew and can be sized to your dog’s needs. They may never look at the delivery person the same again!
Gingerbread Dog Biscuits – For the food lover in every dog, make sure they can join in on the yummy flavors we all enjoy, like gingerbread and pumpkin spice. These handmade treats are gluten and grain-free and baked twice to give your pup that crumbly bite they love.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Multi-Puzzle – If your dog needs to work, a treat puzzle that is a little more advanced may be right up their alley. This level-4 difficulty puzzle game will keep your dog thinking for longer and give them the satisfying job of solving the puzzle to get to the treats or food inside. There are four challenges, and you can adjust the difficulty level as your dog learns.
PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher – Every dog’s physical and mental health depends on enough daily exercise. This automated ball launcher is suited to small and large dogs and launches balls up to 7 feet away. So if you can’t play ball as much as you’d like, this toy can motivate your dog to play.
Dog Treat Molds and DIY Treats – DIY pet treats are a great way to save money at the store, and usually use ingredients already in your pantry (if the recipe calls for peanut butter, choose peanut butter without xylitol, also called birch bark).
We recommend picking up a heart-shaped cookie cutter or mold for a delightful homemade Valentine’s treat. Here’s one of our favorite recipes for dogs: pup:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 handful of frozen or fresh strawberries
- 2 TBSP of unsweetened plain yogurt
Blend the ingredients in your blender until creamy, and pour into heart-shaped molds or ice-cube trays. Freeze, and when frozen, offer one to your dog. Be prepared for so.much.love.
The Cat’s Meow
Don’t leave your cats out of this annual day of love. Buying gifts for our cat companions is a must for cat lovers everywhere. So if you’re ready to show your love to your feline friend, check out our best cat gifts.
Avo”gatto” Catnip Toy – If your cat goes wild for catnip, this handmade, wool-felted avocado toy may hit the spot. The catnip inside is fresh and grown in the US so that you can feel great about your kitty spending hours indulging in one of their favorite things.
CatSmart Pioneer Ultimate Scratching Post – Scratching is an instinct for cats to exercise, tone their muscles, and sharpen and keep their nails in good health. So give them a place where scratching is allowed with this scratching post. You’ll keep them healthy and save your furniture in the process!
FurHaven Thermal Pet Bed – Any cat loves a warm, snuggly place to curl up, and this self-warming bed will check all their boxes. It captures and retains body heat, instead of using electricity, to give your cat the ultimate safety and coziness.
CatAmazing Interactive Treat Maze – Cats, especially indoor cats, need enrichment for physical and mental stimulation. This simple yet engaging toy will elicit your kitty’s natural behaviors and keep them busy for hours while slowing down their mealtime feeding frenzy.
Cat Cave – Cats love to have safe spots to rest, hide, and watch the world go by. These Merino wool creations are handmade in Nepal by local craftspeople and are designed to give your cat a favorite and beautiful place to nap in.
DIY cat treats – This tried and true recipe includes your kitty in the fun.
- 1 Cooked chicken breast
- 1 Cup quick oats
- 1 Egg
- 1 Heaping Tablespoon of ground catnip
- ¼ Cup flour
- ⅓ Cup water
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the first four ingredients in the food processor, adding water to incorporate fully. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add flour, then knead on a floured countertop. Roll out until dough is about half-inch thick, and cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Bake for about 20 minutes, then cool for 20 minutes.
Gifts That Keep On Giving
Treats and toys are lovely gifts, but have you considered a more non-traditional gift for your pet that can give them ongoing health and well-being? These ideas might make your pet’s wish list if they could talk.
Rehabilitation Therapy – Is a massage or other bodywork on your Valentine’s wish list this year? Chances are your pet would love the same, with treatment such as heat or cryotherapy, laser therapy, or acupuncture to help ease their chronic pain. Acupuncture and laser therapy can improve conditions that animals often live with, such as arthritis, spinal disorders, skin disorders, and hip dysplasia. So if your pet has been slowing down recently, or you’ve been curious about rehabilitation therapy, call us to set up an appointment and give your pet the gift of a better quality of life.
Pet Insurance Policy – Pet insurance is one of the best gifts you can give your pet. As pets live longer and veterinary medicine offers more advanced care, the costs of pet ownership are also increasing. Pet insurance policies are intended to help pet owners meet the cost of unexpected illness or injury. Ask yourself: if your pet needed life-saving surgery or treatment, how would that impact you financially? When your pet is in crisis, the last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for their care. A pet insurance policy can give your pet the best veterinary medicine while allowing you to make decisions based on medical recommendations, not the cost of care. That kind of peace of mind and a promise of better health in the future is one of the best gifts money can buy!
Spoiling our pets with treats and gifts makes Valentine’s Day one of the best times of the year! If you have questions about Valentine’s pet safety, avoiding toxic foods, and other ways to integrate your pet into the festivities, please call us at 831-335-3466. We hope these ideas have inspired you!
From all of us at Felton Veterinary Hospital, have a safe, happy, and love-filled Valentine’s Day!
