From walks along sandy beaches to late afternoon hikes, summer may be the best time to be a dog owner. But among all of that action and adventure, don’t forget to show your dog a little extra TLC. During the summer, dogs (especially larger ones with thick or long hair) are at a greater risk for heat stroke, dehydration, and sunburn. In addition to summer safety found here, one of the greatest ways to cool down your pup is with frozen dog treats! We rounded up our favorite pup-approved frozen treat recipes that are healthy and safe:
For all the recipes below, be sure to have ice cube trays or silicone molds. It's best to avoid using human popsicle molds that use sticks as they can splinter and cause harm to your pup.
1. Very Berry Pupsicles
This recipe is a great option because it doesn't contain any dairy products.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup of chopped, organic fresh berries like blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries
- 1 tbsp. of molasses
Steps:
- Using a food processor or blender, mix together berries and water.
- Before adding the molasses, dissolve it in warm water, and then add to berry and water mixture.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into ice cube trays or silicone molds. Freeze until solid.
- Give to your pup to enjoy!
2. Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream
Another yummy and healthy option is this recipe here because it includes pumpkin, which is great for your dog’s digestion. Be sure to buy pumpkin puree and steer clear of pumpkin pie mix.
As for peanut butter, look for jars that do not include the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
- ½ cup organic peanut butter
Steps:
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
- Pour into ice cream trays or silicone molds.
- Freeze and serve when frozen.
3. Banana Blueberry Delight
For a healthy dose of vitamins and antioxidants, this recipe is simple and one of our favorites.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 1 banana
- 1 6-ounce plain yogurt*
- 1 tsp of ground flax seed
Steps:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor.
- Blend and then pour into silicone molds or ice cube trays.
- Freeze for around 2 hours.
- Give to your pup to enjoy!
*Yogurt Note: The AKC advises that "while yogurt is a dairy product and it’s best to steer clear of dairy with dogs, fresh plain yogurt with good bacteria is often easier for dogs to tolerate. To avoid dairy altogether, substitute coconut milk (read the label to look for xylitol or other harmful ingredients)." Learn more about gut health in dogs here.