It is nearing that time of the year, where we are all hot and bothered while craving something to cool us down. While there are plenty of icy treats on the market for us, our dogs don’t have as much choice. Thankfully, making dog-friendly icy treats is easy and a great way to keep our furry friends cool this summer.
Here’s what you’ll need:
A freezer-safe mold or container
Plenty of online marketplaces and large retail/homeware stores sell silicone molds that you can use to freeze your icy treats or alternatively, you can use any ice cube trays or plastic containers.
A flavour for the base
Choose a yummy flavour that you know your pooch will enjoy. Some ideas are:
- Low sodium beef stock
- Low sodium chicken stock
- Organic, unsweetened coconut milk (in small doses) – provided it is xylitol-free
- Greek yoghurt – provided it is xylitol-free
- Or just plain water!
Treats
Include some special ingredients to make the icy treat more engaging and awarding. Some great options for treats are:
- Peanut butter- provided it is xylitol-free
- Banana (mashed or sliced)
- Blueberries
- Apples (sliced)
- Carrots
- Celery
- Strawberries
- Baby food that only contains suitable vegetables or fruit (no toxic ingredients)
- Chewy treats such as pig’s ears if you are using a larger container
Here’s how to put it all together:
1. Fill the mold or container half-way with your chosen base flavour and freeze
2. Once frozen, place your special treat on top
3. Fill up the rest of the mold with water or another base option and then freeze again
4. Once frozen, remove the icy treat from the mold or container (you may need to use hot water to do this)
5. Give the icy treat to your pooch and watch them have fun enjoying their treat whilst staying cool!
For more advanced enrichment, you could opt to freeze the base flavours and treats over a Lickimat or in a Kong toy. If you decide to use a Kong toy, make sure to put a straw through the Kong holes which can then be removed after freezing (and applying hot water). The holes should never be blocked as they are designed to prevent a dangerous suction from happening which can suck in your dog’s tongue.
It is important to always monitor your dog while they enjoy an icy treat & do not give your dog an iced treat if they are showing any signs of heatstroke.
