Birthday Recipes Fit for Fido and Fluffy

Even the most pampered pet deserves an extra-special treat on their birthday, and these treats will have your four-legged friends dancing in circles for more—our office pets can attest!

DOGust Cake

The universal birthday for shelter and rescued dogs is celebrated on August 1, a.k.a. DOGust.

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 c. whole-wheat flour
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1/4 c. peanut butter
• 1/4 c. plain applesauce
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1/3 c. honey
• 1 egg

Frosting

• 1 c. peanut butter
• 1 T. honey

Decoration

• 1/2 c. carrot shavings
• 1 apple, sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Mix together flour and baking soda, and mix in remaining ingredients. Pour the mixture into greased 9-inch cake. Bake for 40 minutes and let cool. Combine frosting components and spread atop cake with butter knife or spatula. Decorate with carrot shavings and apple slices before serving.

Kitty Kupcakes

Never to be overlooked, these cupcakes will have your feline friends purring loudly for more.

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 can tuna, drain water
• 1/4 c. shredded cheese
• 1/4 c. oat flour
• 1 egg

Frosting

• 1/2 c. plain mashed potatoes

Decoration

• Handful of favorite treats

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Break up tuna with a fork, and mix together cake ingredients. Fill 2-3 cups of a greased muffin tin with mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes and let cool. Spread mashed potatoes atop each cupcake, and decorate with treats.

Looking for healthy snack ideas you can share with your pet regularly? Check out these safe fruits and veggies.

Reminder: Treats such as these should not make up more than 10% of a pet’s caloric intake. Also, stomach upset may occur in pets who do not tolerate dietary changes well.