Pi Day is this Saturday, March 14th (ya know, 3.14)!

Why not treat our furry friends to a taste of the pie action this weekend? Just a few simple ingredients, a bit of prep, and voila – a tasty homemade treat for your four-legged pals. Trust us, they’ll be licking their bowls clean! Let’s get baking and make our pups’ tails wag with joy! Happy Pi Day!

This celebration is best enjoyed by healthy pups, who are not at increased risk of pancreatitis, and have not been prescribed a special prescription diet. Please call the office if you have any questions or concerns before offering these treats!

First course: 

An easy, pup-friendly Cottage Pie from pointerpetfoods.co.uk! 

You will need:

• 16oz 93% lean ground beef
• 4oz carrots, chopped or pureed
• 4oz sweet peas, chopped or pureed
• 4oz plain breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1 egg
• 1½ c mashed potato
• 4oz cheese, grated or crumbled
• 12 paper cupcake liners

How to make:

1. In a large bowl, mix the beef, carrots, sweet peas, breadcrumbs, parsley and egg until thoroughly mixed.
2. Divide the mixture into 12 paper liners using a muffin tin, use your fingers to pat the mixture into a cup.
3. Spoon mashed potatoes into each cup to cover pie mixture.
4. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes at 375°F.

Cool completely on a cooling rack before feeding to your four-legged friend.

Once completely cooled, the pies can be frozen in an airtight bag for several months. To serve, warm in the microwave for 20 seconds. 

For dessert: 

This scrumptious pumpkin pie from our friends at the SPCA of Wake County, on their website spcawake.org.

You will need:

(Please double check all foods for any ingredients toxic to dogs)

• 1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
• 2 15oz cans pumpkin purée   

Use unsweetened 100% pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling

• ¼ cup natural peanut butter

Must not contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs

• 2 eggs
• Canola cooking spray
• 12 paper cupcake liners

How to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350^o F.

2. Crust: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine whole wheat flour, peanut butter, ½ cup pumpkin purée, and 2 eggs. If needed, add 1 tbsp water to aid with mixing.

3. Let batter rest for 5-10 minutes.

4. While batter is resting, lightly spray inside of cupcake liners with canola oil cooking spray.

5. Divide crust dough into 12 evenly sized balls, about 1½ inch diameter.

6. Use your fingers to gently pull and pinch each ball of dough into an even, flat circle about 3½ inch in diameter. Lay the circles into the bottom of each muffin cup and gently press around the edges until the dough evenly lines the cup and reaches the top of the pan. If any holes form, patch with spare dough.

7. Bake for 4 minutes.

8. Remove from oven and spoon pumpkin purée into each crust (~2 heaping spoonfuls) until puree reaches the top of the tin. Smooth with the back of a spoon.

9. Let your dog lick the whisk — for important quality control.

10. Bake for 7 minutes.

11. Remove from oven and let cool for 2 - 5 minutes. 

Cool completely on a cooling rack before feeding to your four-legged friend.

Leftovers should be refrigerated — keeps for 3-5 days

We hope this treats make your Pi Day extra special this weekend! Be sure to head to our Facebook page and share a picture of your pet enjoying the celebration!