Swimming in the river, running through the sprinklers, splashing in a kiddie pool, lying by the fan, and hiding in the air conditioned house are all perfectly acceptable ways for our pets to keep cool now that summer is in full swing. But why not shake things up for our furry friends by offering them a time-honored, summer tradition: the popsicle?
Pet popsicles are becoming quite “the thing” these days, and with tons of health options available for making your own, there’s no reason not to indulge your pet in one of these tasty treats.
Pet Popsicles 101
You don’t have to be a gourmet cook to whip up a batch of pet popsicles in your kitchen. Simply pop your pet’s favorite, healthy ingredients into a blender and pour into silicone molds, ice cube trays, Dixie cups, or even single-serving yogurt cups.
Besides being a cool way to combat the summer’s scorching temps, pet popsicles can also be a vehicle for sneaking healthy tidbits into your pet’s diet. Tap into summer’s bounty for wonderful fresh ingredients to add to your pet’s frozen treats, for example:
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe
- Mangos
- Cucumbers
- Sweet potatoes
- Spinach
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Green beans
Throw in some other pet favorites such as peanut butter, plain yogurt, or beef or chicken broth and you have the perfect pet dessert. Try adding bits of cheese, cooked meat, or crunchy pet treats in with your mix for an added bite of fun. And don’t forget to steam and cool veggies before adding them to your mix!
Get Creative
Perhaps your pet doesn’t like fruits and veggies (meow), or you just don’t want to spend the time to make a blended popsicle. Never fear, the world of frozen pet goodies isn’t closed to you! Try the following ideas for cool pet treats:
- Ice cubes – Add to your pet’s water bowl to encourage drinking or simply place a cube on the floor for your pet. And no, it won’t cause bloat!
- Frozen liver – Chop chicken or beef liver into bite-sized pieces and place in the freezer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once frozen, store in a ziplock or small container.
- Frozen canned tuna or salmon – Simply freeze small mounds on parchment and store in a container when frozen.
- Frozen egg – Blend up an egg or two and pour into ice cube trays, half-way full. This treat can be messy, so it’s best eaten outside.
- Broth – Fill ice cube trays, popsicle molds, or even a Kong toy with broth and freeze for a fun, slow-melting treat.
Have Fun!
Pet popsicles can be made out of any types of foods your pet enjoys, so have fun experimenting with different flavors, textures, and shapes. Don’t forget to make sure you use only pet-safe ingredients for your frozen concoctions.
Let us know if you have any questions about ingredients, or have other summer pet safety concerns.
