Sweltering summer days are sure to take a toll on your dog, especially considering his thick fur coat. Keep your best pal cool with these easy (and healthy!) pupsicle recipes. The best part? You and your canine companion can enjoy these pops together! All you need is a blender and an ice tray to create these tasty summer treats. But if you’re feeling extra fancy, pick up a popsicle mold from the supermarket.

Peanut Butter and Banana Popsicles

Your pawesome pal will go bananas over this yummy treat! Bananas are a nutritious treat for your furry friend. They contain potassium, vitamins, and biotin, which are essential to keeping your dog healthy. Since they’re high in sugar, bananas should be an occasional treat. Peanut butter is also high in healthy fats and protein. Just make sure whatever peanut butter you purchase contains no added sugar or xylitol.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups non-fat, plain, unsweetened yogurt
• ½ cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 ripe, mashed banana
• 2 tbsp. honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Melt peanut butter in the microwave for approximately 30 seconds.
2. Blend ingredients together.
3. Pour mixture into a popsicle mold or ice tray and freeze.

If you don't have popsicle molds OR ice trays, why not get creative? Shot glasses can be just as good! And if you have a sensitive pet, you can exclude ingredients from these and still have delicious results. Here's a simplified peanut butter pupsicle:

Very Berry Pupsicles

We’re sure you’ll enjoy this recipe berry much. Berries are good for your canine companion -- in moderation. Blueberries and strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which are important for maintaining healthy cells.  Raspberries are also an anti-inflammatory, which is particularly useful for geriatric dogs. But they also contain xylitol -- which is toxic to dogs -- and should only be given in small amounts (no more than one cup at a time).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup no-fat, plain, unsweetened yogurt
• ¼ cup blueberries
• 2 cups strawberries
• ¼ cup raspberries

Directions:

1. Blend the ingredients together.
2. Pour mixture into an ice tray and freeze.

Pupsicles should be given as an occasional treat, since consistently high sugar levels can lead to serious health problems. Don’t use cherries, grapes, raisins, or ingredients containing xylitol in your pupsicles -- they're toxic to dogs. Give your best pal one of these frozen treats to help him endure the dog days of summer. He’s sure to bark for more!

 

Love and friendship x