Summer is in full swing, and as we all try to stay cool, we’re continuously looking for fun ways to keep our pets entertained and chill at the same time.
Maybe to keep them cool you head to the beach, fill up the puppy paddling pool, or perhaps just stay close to the AC.
But, you can always add to those heat-beating strategies with some frozen and delicious dog treats. A few fresh ingredients, a little blending, and a few hours in the freezer and you’ve got delicious summer fun at your fingertips. Add a little training to the mix for some mental stimulation and you’re busting stress while giving your pet a sweet treat.
Here’s how to make some of our favourite summer dog treats.
Summer Fun Dog Treats: 3 Easy DIY Recipes
1. Watermelon Berry Bites
This one’s our fave when it comes to frozen dog treats. Why? Because we eat them right alongside our canine companions. The antioxidant-rich blueberries are a great nutritious add, and they pack a tasty punch. Coupled with some rich kefir and some juicy watermelon, you’ve got a tasty treat everyone will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup watermelon
- 1/2 blueberries
- 1/4 cup plain kefir or yogurt
- Cut up your watermelon, removing seeds as you go.
- Place ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into small molds or ice cube trays and freeze.
- Pop out and serve!
BONUS: You can always add some Phyto Synergy or Love Bugs to the batch!
2. Peachy Pumpkin Pops
Now, this may not sound like the most appealing combination to you, but trust us, your pup will love it!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pureed pumpkin (make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup peaches
- 1/4 cup kefir or plain yogurt
- Stir together the pumpkin and the kefir/yogurt
- Cut up your peaches and stir them into the mix
- Pour the mix into small popsicle molds and freeze.
- Pop out and serve!
[READ THIS NEXT] Why do we love pumpkin? Oh let us count the ways. No really, we did – at this post!
3. Strawberry Banana Ice Cream
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Well, technically, your dog will probably bark – but it will be a happy (or impatient) bark!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup kefir
- 1/4 cup chopped strawberries
- 1/4 cup banana
- Cut up your strawberries and banana
- Toss all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze.
- Once solid, scoop out some ‘ice cream’ and serve it on top of dinner or as a special treat.
Frozen Dog Treats: Tips and Tricks
As you can see by the recipes, these are pretty much no muss no fuss treats. A few simple, fresh ingredients and you’re off to the races.
A few tips:
- If your dog isn’t a fan of one of the ingredients, simply switch it out for something else they love. These are really versatile recipes, so feel free to experiment!
- These typically take between 4-6 hours to freeze/set. You can always check then to make sure.
- The best way to store them is to transfer them to a container with an airtight light and keep them in the freezer. Since they’re popsicles, you want to keep them frozen – that’s the point!
- They probably won’t last this long (because your pet will LOVE them), but after about 3 months it’s time to compost any remaining treats and get a new batch started!
Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean your pet needs to suffer. These summer fun dog treats will give a burst of delicious flavour, and your pet won’t even know how healthy they are! Well keep that secret to ourselves. Enjoy.
