The heat and humidity of summer can do a number on our pets, putting them at risk for dehydration, heat stroke, and other heat-related problems. Chilled or frozen treats are a fun surprise for any dog or cat, and they can also help counteract the effects of a hot day.
Check out our ideas for tasty and healthy summer pet treats!
The Makings of a Good Summer Pet Treat
It’s important to make sure that anything you feed your pet is healthy and safe for him or her. Avoid using any foods that are toxic to pets, such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, coffee, alcohol, and anything sweetened with Xylitol.
With pet obesity on the rise, adding extra calories to your pet’s diet can be an issue. Our summer pet treat ideas are healthy, but care should be taken not to increase your pet’s daily caloric intake too much. Treats of any kind should also never replace your pet’s regular food.
What Can You Freeze for Your Pet?
You probably already have everything you need in your fridge or pantry to make a batch of delicious and nutritious summer pet treats:
- Veggies – Lightly steamed veggies, such as green beans, squash, and sweet potato are healthy and tasty.
- Fruit – Peeled and deseeded fruits, like apples, bananas, kiwi, melon, and berries, are a low-cal way to add some sweetness to a pet’s life (skip the citrus, as it can irritate a pet’s GI tract).
- Broth – Low sodium chicken or beef broth can be frozen plain or with added bits of vegetables or meat for a tasty pupsicle (or add tuna for a catsicle).
- Yogurt – Plain yogurt makes a wonderful base ingredient. Mix it with chunks of banana and a scoop of peanut butter and freeze for a delicious pet-friendly “ice cream”.
- Baby food – Plain fruit, vegetable, or meat blends make great additions to any summer pet treat.
Ice cube trays, popsicle molds, or single-serve yogurt containers all work for freezing purees and liquids. Dollops of thicker mixtures of fruits, vegetables, or cubed chicken or beef can be frozen on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. A Kong toy can also be stuffed with just about anything and thrown in the freezer to be enjoyed later.
Ideas Galore
The internet is chock full of ideas for summer pet treats, including catsicles, grain-free treats, and doggie ice cream.
Don’t feel like making your own treats? Simply stuff a Kong toy with peanut butter and a milk bone and throw it in the freezer, or head to the store and grab a package of Frosty Paws for those hot days.
Please let the team at BEEVET know if you have any questions about what foods are safe and healthy for your pet.
