Try Some Cool Pet Treats During The Hot Summer
During the heat of summer, we have suggested tips to help keep your pet safe and cool. Read these Summer Safety Pet Tips and Advice During Firework Season.
Our pets enjoy plenty of cool water and a frozen treat now and then to keep cool, just like we do!
What Can You Freeze for Your Dog?
Vegetables & Fruit - Veggies like green beans, squash and sweet potato are fun to freeze and give as a cold treat. Just as fun are icy cool bananas, strawberries and apples.
Chicken & Beef Broth - Broth that is low in sodium is preferable to use for all of your dog treat recipes.
Fruit Juices - You can use fruit juices for cold treats on a hot day. It's best to use juices that are lower in sugar or have no added sugar.
Yogurts - Another base ingredient is plain low-fat yogurt. You'll find many ways to mix this into your frozen dog treats.
Baby Foods - These make a nice addition to a cool snack. Use organic fruit or vegetable blends for added flavor.
Tips
Pet popsicles can be made out of all kinds of things your dog (or cats) eat normally, so experiment to see what your dog likes best.
The frozen Kong-style toys make a great cool-down treat for when you will be away for a few hours.
Try treats suspended in water, chicken or beef broth, and watered down wet food.
Avoid: Onions and onion powder, grapes and raisins, salt, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, potatoes, rhubarb leaves and stems, avocados, Xylitol (artificial sweetener that is toxic to pets), garlic, candy, chocolate, fruit pits and seeds.
Ideas:
Peanut Butter Popsicles
Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter, preferably unsalted and unsweetened
Half a ripe banana, mashed
Water as needed
In a small mixing bowl, combine peanut butter with a little water or half a mashed banana. (The water and banana aren't essential but they help with freezing consistency.) You can use plain yoghurt as well.
Line a baking sheet with wax paper, or use Kong-style rubber toys that have a cavity you can fill.
Spoon the mixture onto the tray just like you would cookie dough, or stuff it into the toys. Freeze the tray or toys for several hours or overnight. Pop out the cubes and store them in a bag or container in the freezer.
Serve, and turn any hot dog into a happy camper.
Frozen Banana Toy
1-2 fresh bananas
2 Tbs plain yogurt (can use your pet's favorite flavor as well)
In a bowl, mash up banana. Then, add yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to toy. Freeze for 4 hours (optional).
Frozen Juice Pops
1 quart natural fruit juice - (not sugared drinks, use real fruit juice)
1 peeled ripe banana
1/2 cup plain whole milk yoghurt
Blend together in kitchen blender. Freeze in ice cube trays and enjoy.
Make sure not to use grape juice as this is toxic to dogs.
Pupsicles
16 oz. low-sodium chicken broth
8 - 2.4 oz. kitchen containers with lids (pet bowls or ice cube trays also work)
3 oz. hard cheese, cubed
Place cheese cubes in containers. Fill with broth and freeze overnight.
Ice Cubes: Plain, simple and easy.
Frozen Yogurt: You can buy pre-made or simply freeze regular yogurt containers. It's as good for their digestive tracks as it is for yours. Helps those animals that are especially gassy! (older animals might require less dairy, try mixing half yogurt/half water for those who need a little help)