Popsicles for Pets!
There is something so refreshing about a nice cold dessert on a hot afternoon. We humans love to grab some ice cream, frozen yogurt, or a smoothie. But what about our pets? They might enjoy a cold snack, too! Can they have dog popsicles or some other tasty homemade frozen dog treats for summer? We’ve shared a few ideas of cold treats for dogs and cats that you can try with your pets! Get your pet ready for some pupsicles (or frozen cat treats for your feline friend!).
Ice Cubes
Is ice bad for dogs to chew on? Lots of dogs enjoy crunching on an ice cube on occasion, but chewing on them may chip teeth so be careful. Cats and dogs alike can find amusement in ice cubes floating in their water bowls all year long! Add wet or dry food to water before freezing to make eating dinner a little cooler. You can even crush up dry food for a better consistency! And remember, if there is really hot weather outside you'll need to make sure your pet has access to shade and fresh water, and adding an energy efficient pet door can allow them to move inside/outside to stay cool while keeping your home at a comfortable temperature.
Frozen Yogurt
Can dogs have ice cream? What about frozen yogurt? Yes! Your pet will enjoy frozen yogurt ALMOST as much as you! Just take plain yogurt and freeze. You can mix things like honey, peanut butter or any pet-appropriate ingredients like blueberries to switch up the flavor! Try swirling peanut butter into the yogurt to get a “peanut butter swirl” design. You can freeze the mixture in cupcake trays, ice cube trays, or popsicle molds. Allow the yogurt to freeze all the way through, around 3 hours depending on how large a portion you make. Cats sometimes develop a lactose intolerance, so if they react poorly to the yogurt you can try one of the other options!
Pet Food
If your pet is on a strict diet, or you just don’t have time to pick up other ingredients, you can also use their own food to make some frozen treats for dogs on hot days. Mix wet food with dry food inside a food dispensing toy and stick it in the freezer. Doesn’t get much easier than that! You can even use their normal food portions to make fun, refreshing popsicles. If they eat wet food, just mix that with some water and freeze. If they only eat dry food, try crushing that up a little (like in a food processor or blender) and mixing with water to make a flavorful popsicle. Soaking the food in water first will make it easier to blend!
Popsicles
Pet friendly popsicle recipes can use just about any types of ingredients and make for perfect homemade dog treat recipes! These are fun to make and feed, as you get to enjoy wonderful bonding time with your furry friends while they happily enjoy their treat. You can use the liquid from pet food, canned tuna, broth, plain yogurt, or even pumpkin puree! For a savory treat, try mixing broth with chunks of meat. For a sweet popsicle, try mixing yogurt with some blueberries. You can either crush the blueberries or leave them whole!
Use popsicle molds for a classic looking popsicle, or try ice cube trays, paper cups, or cupcake liners and stick some tongue depressors in part way through the freezing process. Note: if you give them popsicles with tongue depressors, make sure they are supervised so they do not eat the tongue depressor! Have fun with your pet by holding the popsicle for them to lick, or leave them with a stick-less popsicle to eat on their own.
Other Ideas
Mix and match different ideas to keep things exciting. Your pet will love you even more for it! Use things like fruits, vegetables and baby food to add some variety. Try putting things like chicken broth or watermelon in ice trays with a popsicle stick for diy summer treats. Always remember to only feed ingredients that are safe for your pet to consume, and contact your veterinarian whenever you are in doubt. Avoid sweeteners and keep your popsicles a healthy treat. Some ingredients may be okay for dogs that are not okay for cats!
The PetDoors.com Team is dedicated to providing the highest quality pet doors. As dog and cat lovers ourselves, we aim to write about the topics that matter the most to you and your furry friend. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team. 🐶🐱
