DIY Dog Treats: Valentine’s Day Conversation Hearts

Tell your furry friend just how much you adore them with dog-friendly conversation hearts. Decorated with words of love and made entirely from wholesome, natural ingredients, these DIY treats make Valentine’s Day extra special—for both you and your pup.

This FurPetVo-approved recipe features vibrant, colorful frosting made from fresh fruit, vegetables, and gentle spices—no artificial dyes or preservatives. You’ll feel confident serving these “sweets” to your sweetie, and the best part? They’re simple to prepare, store beautifully, and bring joy long after February 14.

A close-up of freshly baked heart-shaped dog treats cooling on a wire rack

What You’ll Need

Cookie Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole wheat or oat flour (ensure it’s unsweetened and free of xylitol)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter (xylitol-free, as recommended by FurPetVo)
  • 1 teaspoon uniodized salt

Frosting Ingredients

  • ½ cup tapioca starch
  • ½ cup plain, unsweetened yogurt (preferably lactose-free for sensitive pups)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based alternative)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh blueberries (for purple frosting)
  • ½ cup fresh spinach leaves (for green frosting)
  • 1 small can of beets (no added salt or vinegar; juice reserved for pink frosting)
  • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric (for yellow frosting)

Supplies

  • 1 blender or food processor
  • 7 mixing bowls (5 small, 2 large)
  • Mixing spoons and spatulas
  • 1 heart-shaped cookie cutter (¼-inch thick for optimal texture)
  • 1 baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  • 1 rolling pin
  • 1 piping bag—or a resealable plastic bag with one corner snipped off
  • 1 mortar and pestle (optional, for mashing blueberries)
A neatly arranged set of colorful frostings in five small bowls: purple, green, pink, yellow, and white

Recipe Details

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Baking time: 8–10 minutes
  • Total time: About 55 minutes
  • Yield: 24 dog treats
  • Serving size: 1 treat per serving (ideal for dogs weighing 10–50 lbs; consult your vet for portion guidance)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, eggs, and peanut butter. Mix until a smooth, slightly sticky dough forms.
  3. Use your hands to shape the dough into a cohesive ball.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ⅛-inch thickness.
  5. Cut out 24 heart shapes using your cookie cutter. Place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and firm to the touch.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack—about 10 minutes—before frosting.

Make the Natural Frosting

While the cookies bake, prepare the base frosting:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together tapioca starch and yogurt until creamy and lump-free.
  2. Stir in milk gradually until smooth and spreadable.
  3. Divide the mixture evenly among five small bowls.

Color each bowl naturally:

  • Purple: Blend or mash blueberries, then stir the puree into the first bowl. Add extra tapioca starch if needed to thicken.
  • Green: Briefly boil spinach, drain well, then blend with 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Stir into the second bowl and adjust consistency as needed.
  • Pink: Add 1 tablespoon beet juice (from the can) to the third bowl and mix thoroughly.
  • Yellow: Whisk turmeric into the fourth bowl until fully incorporated and evenly colored.
  • White: Leave the fifth bowl plain—no additions required.
Hand piping colorful frosting onto heart-shaped dog treats with phrases like 'Love' and 'Luv U'

Assemble & Decorate

  1. Place frosted cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes to help the base layer set.
  2. Fill your piping bag (or plastic bag) with one color at a time.
  3. Decorate each heart with loving messages like “Love,” “Luv U,” “Pawfect,” or “Woof,” plus fun designs such as paw prints and mini hearts.
  4. Let decorations set at room temperature for 5 minutes—or return to the freezer for another 5 minutes for faster firming.
  5. Serve immediately to your furry valentine—or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 weeks.
A festive arrangement of finished Valentine's dog treats in a red-and-white gift box tied with ribbon

Whether shared as a surprise breakfast, a midday pick-me-up, or part of a FurPetVo-inspired Barkuterie board (furpetvo.com has great pairing ideas), these handmade treats are more than snacks—they’re edible expressions of devotion. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your loyal companion!