Beat the Heat: Cool DIY Treats Your Dog Will Love

Now that the hottest days of summer are here, it’s important for you and your pups to stay cool and hydrated. Overexposure to the sweltering summer heat can lead to health issues, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Prevention is key, so take steps to ensure your pet stays safe this summer. The American Red Cross offers some great tips on How to Keep Pets Safe When the Temperatures Climb over on their website.

Another great way to help keep your dog cool is with chilled or frozen treats. Of course, there is no substitute for air conditioning and a bowl of fresh clean water but having a cool treat on a hot day can provide a special kind of bliss for your pup. Plus, refreshing treats are super easy to make at home with ingredients you may already have on hand – like peanut butter, fruits and veggies, and yogurt. Heck, most dogs are ecstatic to receive plain ol’ ice cubes. (Reminder: Treats should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.)

Below you will find some cool ideas for cold and delicious treats your dog will love:

Melons

Melons (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew) contain many vitamins and nutrients, and their high-water content makes them a great hydrating treat for your doggos. Melons also pair well with other fruits like cucumbers and blueberries. You can even add in a bit of mint to add flavor and freshen your dog’s breath. 

With melons, a cool and refreshing fresh treat can be made by simply using a Melon Baller to create colorful balls that you can chill or freeze. Place them in your dogs water or stick one top of a spoonful of peanut butter or yogurt for a quick and easy treat. Or you can grab your blender and mix up something you can pour into a mold and freeze.

Cantaloupe Frozen Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain or Greek yogurt
• 1 cup fresh cantaloupe chunks
  
  

Directions:

• Add yogurt and cantaloupe together in a blender. 
• Mix until fully blended and smooth. 
• Pour mixture into silicone mold or regular ice cube tray.
• Place in freezer until frozen solid.

Nut Butters

We all know that dogs absolutely love peanut butter. The sight and smell alone is enough to drive them nuts. A spoonful from time to time is a great reward, but the delicious, sticky stuff also makes a great addition to frozen dog treats. You can use almond, cashew, and hazelnut butters as well. All are safe for dogs. Just stick to organic nut butters and steer clear of ones containing Xylitol (it’s toxic to dogs).

Peanut Butter Banana Frozen Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 4 bananas
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
  
  

Directions:

• Peel, slice, and freeze bananas.
• Add frozen banana slices to blender and mix until smooth.
• Mix in peanut butter and put in preferred mold.
• Place in freezer until completely frozen.

Fruits and Vegetables

Dog-friendly fruits and veggies you can use in treats are apples, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, carrots, cranberries, cucumbers, kiwis, mangos, peaches, pears, raspberries, and strawberries. Some of these fruits and veggies pair very well together, and you can even add non-toxic, flavor-boosting herbs like basil and mint. 

Cucumber Yogurt Frozen Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 cup plain or Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of honey
  
  

Directions:

• Add all ingredients together in a blender.
• Blend until mixture is smooth and pourable.
• Pour mixture into mold and place in freezer.
• Freeze until treats are frozen solid.

Yogurt

Cool and creamy, yogurt is a great base for chilled or frozen dog treats. Just make sure to use regular or Greek-style yogurt that is plain and free of any added sweeteners. Keep in mind that many canines are lactose intolerant, so if you are unsure about giving your dog dairy, you may want to try a lactose-free option or substitute with coconut milk. You can even use coconut milk by itself to make a simple milky white frozen treat.

Blueberry Yogurt Frozen Dog Treats

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt 
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  
  

Directions:

• Mix Greek yogurt and fresh blueberries together in medium bowl.
• Spoon mixture into silicone mold or ice cube tray.
• Place in freezer for a few hours or until frozen solid.