Summer Treats For Dogs: In 2014, we wrote about great dog treats you can make yourself! With the hot, New York City summer on it’s way, I wanted to expand on that list with hot-weather goodies, all makable in your own kitchen. The city gets hot. The pavement, the buildings! Sometimes the best feeling in the New York Heat is walking into a lobby just to feel the air conditioning! But these cool, refreshing treats can be be just the thing to help you and your dog beat it. Remember: It’s always smart to ask your vet before feeding your pets human food. And, be on the lookout for the things that could make your dog sick!
Summer Treats For Dogs
Home Made Ice Cream
This is not the ice cream you think of when you hear that phrase. There are no ice buckets and churns involved (but let’s be honest—those are great childhood memories.) No, this home made ice cream is not only safe for dogs, but super easy to make with ingredients you may already have laying around. The Barkington Post has a short list of easy recipes for a cool summer dog snack. Just be sure to not use sugar! That’s a benefit for us humans (nyc dog walking).
Stock Pops
Did you ever make your own popsicles? Maybe you poured a little orange juice into a ice tray for yourself, or even coffee for your iced coffee drinks. Why not treat you pup to the same idea? A great summer treats for dogs would be freezing fat-free, low sodium broth. Please, remember that cats and dogs can’t have onions. They contain thiosulphate, which is toxic to animals. Some stock broths use it as an ingredient. Be sure!
Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries are all packed full of energy for you and your pup. They also help with dental care… hint. But a great treat for the summer months is taking plain, low-fat yogurt, dip those berries in there, and freeze ’em. Pawsitively Pets touches on it!
Pumpkin Paws
Okay. I know Pumpkin Fever is usually reserved for that sweet-spot right around Halloween. But you can use that glorious gourd during the summer, too. Pumpkins can be a super healthy addition to your dog’s diet. In fact, Puptopia highlighted the benefits of pumpkins in 2010! In that spirit of health, Pet Guide has a cool recipe that includes bananas, yogurt, honey, and pumpkin puree. But hold up! When buying your puree, check the label for sugars, salts, and additives that could be bad for pets. Although pumpkin is healthy, those extra ingredients are added for human consumption.
It’s not a secret dogs looove peanut butter. So, why not use it as a frosty summer treats for dogs? Our 2014 post recommends this delicious recipe but there is more you can do with it. For starters, you can just freeze peanut butter. Straight and simple. But you could add low-fat, plain yogurt, crushed up kibble, or stick a milk bone in as a bonus! Go ahead and get a little creative! Make sure your peanut butter doesn’t contain Xylitol. It’s toxic to dogs!