Did you know that on dating apps your profile is 72% more likely to be selected if you have a dog in your profile picture? 

Moving on from that fun, but utterly useless fact, regardless of if you are single or loved up or partnered for years, what I do know, is that making these little heart shaped dog treats, for let's face it, your favourite, is insanely cute and satisfying at any time of the year. 

So let's jump straight in! Those pups need these dog treats pronto! And the great part of this dog treat recipe? From start to finish, you can have them cooling on the bench while your bestie is drooling in waiting in 45 mins. 

The good stuff first. Not only are these dog treats super cute, they are also good for your dog. Sweet potato and beetroot are high in fibre and beneficial vitamins (A and C) and minerals (potassium, calcium and manganese) for general health, wellbeing and immunity. Salmon and coconut oil have essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat and also support brain and nervous system health.

Like with any treat, they are a treat and should be fed in moderation. Treats should not form more than 10% (and that is pretty high) of your dogs diet. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk... Now let's get to the baking maw ha ha... 

Equipment Needed for Baking Dog Treats:

• Oven (you could maybe use an air-fryer, but I have only tested the oven)
• Bowl
• Cookie Cutters (the hearts with the messages are super cute, would love to link them to the place on our website where you can buy the ones I used, but I wasn't that organised and missed VD with my manufacturer, oh well, once they arrive, the best part is, love shaped dog treat cookies are a year round necessity! So check back often! 😍😍) In the meantime, pick up a love heart cutter from your local kitchen supply shop. 
• Rolling pin
• Silicone mat - not a need, but golly gosh it makes rolling and cutting out dog treat cookies (and human cookies that you make like this) sooo much easier
• Some good ole fashion elbow grease (that means you use your hands to knead for those playing along at home). You can use gloves if you would like
• Measuring cups: 1/4, 1/2 and a tablespoon for this recipe
• Baking tray and baking paper 

Ingredients Needed for Love Heart Dog Treats:

• 1/4 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato 
• One small tin of salmon (you can use tuna if you would like)
• 1/2 cup of wholewheat plain flour (you can use any flour you like in a one for one ratio - oat or quinoa are good options if you are going for wheat free)
• 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil (use you can any oil of choice, my favourites for baking dog treats are coconut, hemp and tallow)
• 1 tablespoon freeze dried beetroot powder (this is completely optional, it adds great nutrients for dogs, but it is really added in to this recipe for the vibrant red colour so don't stress or go out and buy it to use). Dragonfruit powder would also give a pretty vibrant pink if you have that on hand for your morning smoothies.

Dog Treat Making and Baking Method:

Heat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (non fan forced)

Drain any excessive liquid from your sweet potato and add it to the bowl. Sweet potato is generally pretty dry and dense anyway, but if you see excess, remove it.

Next drain your salmon. Make sure this is drained WELL. I use the tin lid and press down and tip it on the side to drain and I do this at least 5-8 times. 

Add the drained salmon to the bowl with your sweet potato. Next add in your 1/2 cup of flour. 

Add in your beetroot if using and then add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to begin with. Give everything a really good mix and I mean a good mix and knead. What feels like a dry crumbly mix that will never work, very quickly turns into a cohesive most dough. This is why we only add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to begin with. If the dough won't come together, or won't stay together when it forms a ball, add the extra tablespoon of coconut oil and knead again. The variance in needing 1-2 is because of the varying moisture levels in the sweet potato and the salmon. If the mixture becomes too wet, add a teaspoon of extra flour, mix and continue that process until you get a play dough like texture. Not sticky, just well formed and staying together.

Once you are happy with your texture, roll out your dough to approx 1/4 inch (or 5 mills) and use your cookie cutter to cut out your shapes. Remove the excess and reform into a ball and repeat the process until all your dough is used.

 

Place on your baking tray with baking powder and pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Check them at 20 minutes. You want to watch them to not burn them and this will depend on your oven. 

Once cooked, let them fully cool before handling or giving to your dog. 

Once they are cool, do the big taste test and bask in your awesomeness. You just baked super healthy, super tasty treats at home for your fur baby! 

Note: once cooked, they will cook down to a darker, not as vibrant red, this is normal. See below.

Store in a sealed jar for up to 5 days (or store in fridge if you they aren't crunchy and have moisture in them). Your dog won't mind either way, crunchy or chewy, they will still think you are the bestest pawrent ever!!! 

And now for a shameless plug... If you don't want to gather all the ingredients and bake, for a super short cut to nutrient dense and tasty treat town, you can always fast track treatville and purchase our Gelatine and Goats Milk Gummy Dog Treat Kit. No hassle with ingredients or equipment, everything is included, you literally just need to add boiling water and have treats on the table that benefit your dogs wellbeing in 30 mins. Winning!