Frozen dog treats for hot summer days

Summer days are getting hotter and many pet owners are looking for ways to keep their pets cool. Why not try making dog ice cream for summer fun? Frozen treats will not only allow you to experiment in the kitchen, but also help to cool the dog in the heat and prevent it from overheating.

Creative Ways to Refresh

If you stock up on healthy ingredients and free up space in your freezer, the possibilities are almost endless. Buying several silicone ice and ice cream molds will allow you to change the size and design of your frozen dog food. These molds can be filled with a variety of fruits, yogurt, dog puree, or peanut butter, which can be mixed in a blender with a little water. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before trying a new recipe, and make sure treats make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily diet.

Frozen cubed chicken, beef, or vegetable broth with little or no salt is a great treat for your pet, and it’s also fun to race around the floor. You can put a few of these cubes in water or dry food so that the dog drinks more.

Banana puree mixed with a little yogurt can turn into an iced banana snack when frozen in an ice cube tray. For even more fun, place the banana cube in the toy holder and watch the dog wag its tail while licking and chewing on the refreshing snack.

pumpkin treats

Pumpkin treats are at the top of the hit parade of summer frozen treats for dogs. A small spoonful of this orange vegetable will provide your dog with delicious fiber and vitamins. The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes that care should be taken to choose plain canned pumpkin without additives, rather than pie fillings with sugar or spices. Spices and artificial sweeteners can be toxic to your four-legged friend.

For a treat, mix a can of pumpkin with a cup of unsweetened Greek yogurt, a teaspoon of honey, and mashed one banana. Spoon the mixture into plastic or silicone ice molds and place in the freezer for about an hour. Pumpkin is also rich in moisture, so your dog will get plenty of fluids during the hot summer months.

How to Cool Your Dog Properly

When trying to cool your pet in the heat, there are a few things to keep in mind. The AKC recommends that after a dog has expended a lot of energy, it is necessary to give him little to drink, otherwise he may drink too much and spit water back. The best thing to do is to create a cool environment indoors or outdoors in the shade so that the dog can rest after a busy day on a hot day.

In such cases, the most ordinary ice cubes will be the best homemade treat for a four-legged friend. Place a few ice cubes in a water bowl, and after letting your dog lick them for a few minutes, fill the bowl with fresh cold water. It is better to use crushed cubes, as veterinary dentists believe that chewing ice by a dog can lead to chipped teeth.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) classifies citrus fruits, the sweetener xylitol, avocados, and tree nuts as foods that are not suitable for pets, so avoid these ingredients when making homemade dog treats. Small amounts of peanut butter and dairy are unlikely to cause indigestion. But if your dog has digestive problems, make sure that the ingredients of the summer treat do not irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

When considering adding an ingredient to homemade dog treats, check with your veterinarian to make sure it doesn’t aggravate your pet’s existing health problems. If you’re unsure about homemade recipes, you can freeze standard dog treats or pieces of canned dog food with water in ice cube trays. These treats will give your dog a chance to play and cool off while getting to the treat.

When creating frozen dog treats this summer, share your favorite recipes and ideas with your friends so that other pets in the area can enjoy the coolness of the hot season.