Chilled Dog Treat Ideas and Recipes for Summer
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When temperatures rise outside, your dog can easily get overheated. Heatstroke is just one of the many summer hazards that can affect our dogs. There are many ways you can help keep your dog cool in the hot weather. Chilled or frozen dog treats are a great surprise for your dog. Not only will they help cool her off, they can also help relieve boredom when she is cooped up inside. Here are some ideas for healthy, cold treats your dog will love:
Doggie "Ice Cream"
Real ice cream is not healthy for dogs. The excess dairy can cause GI upset, plus there is too much sugar. "Lick-a-lots" and "Frosty Paws" are two types of healthy dog "ice cream" that dogs love. But, if you want to save money, or would rather not run out to the store, you can make a version of them yourself at home. Here's how:
You will need:
- 1 ripe banana
- 8 ounces of plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of peanut butter (creamy is best)
Mix ingredients together in a blender or food processor. Pour mixture into three or four different small plastic containers and freeze overnight. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to get the taste and texture your dog likes best. Leave the treats in the container and serve one to your dog, but be sure to supervise (so he doesn't eat the container). These treats will last longer if you don't pop them out of their containers. Experiment with mix-ins like finely diced carrots, apples, or lean meat.