Make Summer Treats for Your Dog

Brought to you by the AKC GoodDog! Helpline – the AKC’s 7-day-a-week training support service
By Hilarie Erb, AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer

One of the best things about summer are cold sweet treats – special things like ice cream, watermelon, and popsicles — that both you and your dog can enjoy! Making these tempting cold treats for your dog is easy, too! Fill ice cube trays (or other molds) with fruits that most dogs love like blueberries, strawberries, and banana chunks! You can also use diluted broth that has bits of chicken, beef, or turkey in it. Or combine flavors — beef broth/blueberry “pupsicles” may not sound appealing to you, but your dog will love them! So, use your imagination!

Before you begin making frozen molds, be sure to read labels carefully. Many products are labeled “sugar free,” which means they may be sweetened artificially with Xylitol (aka Birch Sugar), an ingredient that is very toxic to dogs. If you’re using peanut butter, the best option is using “natural” brands that have one ingredient: peanuts. Other peanut butters have sugar, which in small amounts isn’t harmful, but avoid any labeled sugar-free.

Things to freeze in ice cube trays (or any mold you like):

• Pureed bananas with a dollop of peanut butter on top.
• Grilled chicken, yogurt (or broth), and cooked carrot pureed in a food processor.
• Watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew, pureed.
• You can also use the pureed melon to make “ice cream” by stirring yogurt or coconut milk into the pureed fruit and freeze in a freezer-safe bowl. Then you can scoop out a little at a time for your pup.

Ingredients you can to add to your “pupsicles”:

• Bananas
• Sweet potatoes (cooked)
• Carrots
• Chicken or other low-fat meats
• Green beans, strawberries, blueberries, peaches
• Your dog’s favorite store-bought soft treats
• Tiny hot dog pieces
• Click here to learn more about which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to eat.

Any of the above treats can be diluted with water or weak broth too. This will prevent your dog getting too many calories and provide more hydration – a good thing during the summer. To make things more fun, you can make a party out of serving these fun treats! Toss your homemade “pupsicles” and frozen fruit pieces into a wading pool that has a few inches of water in it (how much depends on the size and enthusiasm of your dog) for some outdoor fun. Many dogs even think plain old ice cubes are wonderful, so offer some in a dish, toss a handful onto the grass outside, or into that wading pool!

Or, for a creamy treat, mix ripe banana, pumpkin or sweet potato with plain yogurt or coconut milk together and freeze in a mold or ice cube tray. While yogurt is a dairy product and it’s best to avoid dairy with dogs, fresh plain yogurt is often easier for dogs to tolerate. To avoid dairy altogether, substitute coconut milk (read the label to look for Xylitol or other harmful ingredients).

Plain, frozen green beans, banana chunks, strawberries, and blueberries are quick and refreshing treats by themselves, too! If you’re purchasing packaged frozen items, read the labels to ensure there is no added Xylitol.

Regular meals can be cool and refreshingly cool, too. Mix soaked kibble mixed with a few special nuggets of chicken, cheese, vegetables, or berries. Stuff your dog’s favorite chew toy, freeze, and serve! You can prepare a few at a time to keep in your freezer. This is a great way to make dinner time last longer and to keep your dog occupied in his crate for a while.

For more tips and advice on training your dog, join the AKC GoodDog! Helpline, a seven-day-a-week telephone support service staffed by experienced dog trainers: www.akcgooddoghelpline.org.