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Summer is right around the corner, and it’s time for treats! But it’s hot out there! Too hot for
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Making your own dog treats is easy, and you can feel good about serving them up, because you know exactly what goes into them. And some cool treats don’t need much preparation at all.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a tasty, nutritious, low-calorie snack that’s great for
Even better, watermelon is full of…well, water. And with all the running and jumping Jacks like to do, they’ll need the extra hydration. It also has magnesium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium.
Don’t forget, though, to remove the rind and the seeds. The rind is hard and difficult to digest. It could cause your pupper digestive problems. As for the seeds, they’re not toxic, like cherry pits, for example. But they can give your Jack a belly ache. So make sure to remove them. Or better yet, buy seedless.
Frozen Bananas
A lot of dogs love bananas for the same reason people do: they’re sweet and tasty! They can also be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet…in moderation.
Bananas are high in potassium and fiber, which is great.
But they’re also high in sugar, which is not. If your dog is diabetic or overweight, it’s best to skip the bananas and opt for a savory treat, like the ones below.
Also, if you feed your dog too many bananas, it could cause constipation or other digestive discomfort.
Finally, always remove the peel. It’s not toxic, but it can cause tummy trouble.
To make frozen bananas for your jack, peel the bananas and cut them into slices that your Jack can manage. Freeze and serve on those long, hot days.
Pupsicles
The basis for this recipe comes from Heather Baird at Etsy. It’s easy to make, though freezing can take some time. Best of all, it has only four ingredients. You’ll need:
- One large banana (frozen)
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons of honey (optional)
- 18 ounces of plain Greek yogurt.
- Plastic dog bones or chewie sticks
Notes
Make sure to buy peanut butter that is either unsweetened or sweetened with sugar. Some peanut butters contain artificial sweeteners, and some of these, like Xylitol, are highly toxic to dogs.
Also, if your Jack is watching his or her weight, you can use nonfat yogurt.
Instructions
Cut the banana into pieces and blitz it in a blender. Add the other ingredients and blitz until well combined. Pour into paper cups. If you like, use the chewies or dog bones as pupsicle sticks. Freeze for two hours or until solid.
Variations
You can also add any of the following for a different flavor: shredded carrots, cooked bacon, pumpkin, chopped apple (remove all seeds).
Frozen Chicken Bites
Peanut butter and chicken? Ew! But dogs love both of these things, and they’re not fussy about combining them. Even better? In addition to these two ingredients, there’s only one more, so it’s easy, too!
This recipe comes from Damn Delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
How to Make It
- Divide chicken broth evenly into an ice cube tray, filling each compartment half way. Freeze for one hour, or until solid.
- Mix together the peanut butter and the parsley.
- When the broth is frozen, spoon the peanut butter mixture on top. Freeze for another four hours or until solid.
When the Going Gets Hot…
…Cool dogs get cool!
Keep your best friend cool with these healthy, easy-to-make frozen treats.
What do you do to keep things cool in the summer? Let us know in the comments!
Image CC0 by Bequest, via Pixabay