Who doesn’t love a cool treat on a hot day? With summer in full swing, many of us are enjoying the occasional (or not so occasional) ice cream cone or frozen confection. Our pets can derive just as much benefit from something cold to nibble on, and fortunately, frozen pet treats are easy to make at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Health First
Because ice cream and other frozen desserts are full of unhealthy sugar and fat, they are not ideal for our pets. Homemade frozen pet treats are a safe way to give your pet something enjoyable, while also adding important nutrients into his or her diet.
Experiment with the following tasty and healthy fruits to find out which treat ingredients your pet prefers:
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Pineapple
- Mangos
- Apricots
- Cucumber
Steamed and cooled veggies are flavorful and nutritious additions to any frozen pet treat:
- Sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Cabbage
- Celery
For a delicious frosty delicacy, simply blend up your pet’s favorite fruits and veggies by themselves, or along with any of the following ingredients:
- Chicken or beef broth (low sodium)
- Peanut butter (no Xylitol)
- Plain yogurt
- Water
Slide your concoction into silicone molds, ice cube trays, Dixie cups, or even single serving yogurt cups, pop into the freezer, and enjoy!
Safe Eats
Certain types of people food can be toxic to pets, so make sure you know what is and isn’t safe for your pet to eat before raiding your pantry for ingredients. Contact us if you have any questions.
DIY Frozen Pet Treat Ideas
Thanks to websites like Pinterest, there is no end to fun and creative frozen pet treat ideas at your fingertips. You can link to our favorites below without a Pinterest account or search for other tasty summer pet treats:
- Banana, peanut butter, yogurt, and a dog treat are the only ingredients in these tasty and healthy Banana Pup Pops.
- These pupsicles combine simplicity with cuteness for a treat any dog will love.
- For the fruit-loving dog, try watermelon-blueberry frozen treats.
- Why should dogs have all the fun? Try whipping up a batch of catsicles for felines in need of a little relief from the heat.
Ultimately, our pets just want to eat something tasty. Oftentimes, coming up with your own flavor combinations can be it’s own reward!
Treats To Combat The Heat
Frozen pet treats are more than just fun, they can actually aid in protecting your pet from the dangers of overheating. Keeping pets cool and hydrated are two important factors in preventing heat stroke, and frozen pet treats fit the bill perfectly!
Your friends at Union Lake Pet Services look forward to hearing about your pet’s favorite frozen treat!