5 Homemade treats to keep your dog cool this summer

18th May 2023 Animals & Pets

Thinking of ways to cool your furry friend in the upcoming summer heat? There are five delicious frozen treats that will keep temperatures down and spirits up

There’s nothing like a refreshing frozen treat on a hot summer day, but why should we humans have all the fun? If your dog wants in on the action, then the good news is it’s quick and easy to rustle up some frozen treats for your dog—here are five homemade summer treats to help your dog keep their cool.

"It’s quick and easy to rustle up some frozen treats for your dog on a hot summer day"

All the treats we’ve included can be kept for up to four months in the freezer—if they don’t get eaten before then! You might want to pop them out of the mould and keep them in a plastic container to make more. You can use a normal ice cube tray or a shaped silicon mould for added fun. Moreover, PetLab Co. offers the convenience of personalized allergy and immune chews, ensuring your dog's well-being and contentment. These treats are crafted using natural ingredients and are completely devoid of any detrimental chemicals or preservatives

Credit: damedeeso

1. Peanut butter frozen Kong

Stuffing your dog’s Kong with food is a great way to keep them entertained while you’re relaxing in the garden, and freezing the filling makes it last even longer! If your dog hasn’t tried a frozen Kong yet, start them off with this treat unfrozen to make it a little easier. You may need to increase or decrease quantities depending on the size of Kong, but any leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to three days.

Ingredients

⅓ cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
⅓ cup plain yoghurt

Method

Mix peanut butter and yoghurt
Place a piece of your dog’s kibble over the hole at the bottom of the Kong
Spoon the mixture into the Kong until it’s three-quarters full
Wrap in cling film and freeze until set

2. Watermelon pupsicle

Credit: Nadezhda_Nesterova

Watermelon is a healthy treat for dogs, helping them stay hydrated in hot weather. As these treats stay fairly soft, even when frozen, they’re a great way to introduce your dog to the joys of a cold treat on a hot day! While watermelon contains lots of vitamins, it is also high in sugar so only feed a few of these per day. Make sure to choose a seedless variety, or carefully remove all the seeds, as these can cause an intestinal blockage if your dog eats too many.

Ingredients

¼ of a seedless watermelon

Method

Cut up watermelon into cubes
Place cubes in blender and blend until smooth
Pour into a popsicle mould or ice cube tray
Place in freezer

3. Bone broth ice cubes

Offering your dog some plain ice cubes in a bowl on a hot day is a great way to cool them down, but add some meaty flavour and they become even more appealing! These are a great low-calorie treat, perfect for dogs who are a little overweight and may be on a restricted diet. For added interest, you can add a little shredded lean meat to the top.

Ingredients

Low salt bone broth or liquid stock
Shredded lean meat (optional)

Method

Pour bone broth into ice cube trays or a silicon mould
Top each cube with a little shredded meat, if desired
Place in freezer

4. Frozen banana, blueberry and yoghurt treats

Credit: Denise Erickson

These healthy treats are packed with healthy vitamins, but they’re also super tasty! Blueberries are considered a superfood and contain plenty of nutrients, while bananas are rich in potassium. Bananas are also high in sugar, so make sure to feed these as an occasional treat only.

Ingredients

½ cup blueberries
1 banana
½ cup plain yoghurt

Method

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until combined
Add a little water if necessary, until the consistency is smooth and pourable
Place in ice cube trays or a silicon mould
Once frozen, remove it from mould

5. Cucumber and mint breath fresheners

These treats are packed with refreshing herbs to help freshen your dog’s breath and keep them cool. Parsley is thought to aid digestion and is high in vitamins and antioxidants. Apple cider vinegar may help with heart health, although you can leave this out if your dog isn’t keen on the taste.

Ingredients

½ cucumber chopped
½ cup parsley
½ cup mint
1 cup water or plain yoghurt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)

Method

Chop cucumber, mint and parsley into small pieces (if preferred, mix in a blender)
Mix with yoghurt (or water) and apple cider vinegar
Pour into ice cube trays or a silicon mould
Place in freezer and leave until frozen

Summer safety

Credit: damedeeso

Frozen treats are a great way to keep your dog cool, but there are a few safety precautions to bear in mind. Some frozen treats, especially ones that don’t contain fruit (like the bone broth ice cubes) can be very hard. To avoid the risk of a broken tooth, allow treats to defrost a little before feeding. If your dog has dental issues, blend their treat into a softer homemade slushie instead!

"To avoid the risk of a broken tooth, allow treats to defrost a little before feeding"

If you’re making treats containing peanut butter, choose one that’s low in salt. The peanut butter must be xylitol-free, as this artificial sweetener is highly toxic to dogs. If you suspect your dog has eaten peanut butter containing xylitol, call your vet immediately.

When feeding your dog treats, make sure to account for the extra calories and reduce their regular food accordingly, to reduce the chance of them gaining too much weight. Never use any ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like grapes, raisins or garlic.

In the warmer months, dogs can be susceptible to heatstroke. Watch out for signs including excessive panting, drooling more than usual, vomiting or diarrhoea. Heatstroke can be fatal, so call your vet immediately if you’re concerned.

Banner credit: DZ Lab

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