Last year there was a internet scare that ice cubes were bad for dogs and cats – this is untrue. Ice cubes are a great, fun treats to beat the heat. They can be placed in water bowls as fun enrichment where your pet can “bob for ice cubes” or you can make fun frozen treats like “pup”-sicles or “kitty-pops”. You can also freeze different enrichment items like Kongs with wet food instead of provide an interactive treat!
Favorite “Pup”-sicle Recipe:
Option #1 (High Calorie): Low Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth, Pet’s Regular Diet, Carrots, Blueberries, Peanut Butter (Without Sugar/Salt/Extra Oil) – Layer in the different ingredients into a small plastic cup, or if you want to be fancy you can buy popsicle molds. Freeze for 4-6 hours, and serve!
Option #2 (Low Calorie): You will need a total of 2 ounces of vegetables, and 1.5 ounces of fruit – diced or roughly chopped depending upon the size of your dog. You will also nee 1/2 cup low sodium vegetable broth and 1/2 cup water. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
Depending upon the size of your dog this recipe can make 1-6 treats.
Dogs >50lbs – recipe makes one 40 calorie treat
Dogs 30-50 lbs – recipe makes two 20 calorie treats
Dogs 15-30 lbs – recipe makes four 10 calorie treats
Dogs <15 lbs – recipe makes six 7 calorie treats
(By comparison one small Milkbone is 20 calories.)
Option #3 (Sensitive Stomach): Mix canned pumpkin (no sugar/salt added), Greek yogurt, and your pet’s regular diet and place into a small plastic cup, or popsicle mold. Freeze for 4-6 hours and serve!
Favorite Frozen Kong:
Take your pet’s lunch and stuff the contents into an appropriately sized Kong Chew Toy. Turn upside down and place into a small Tupperware. Add water to fill up Kong to the top, and then freeze for 4-6 hours. You will need to chip away at the spillage around the edges – but this makes a fun alternative to a meal given in a bowl. Plus it is nice and cool on a hot day!
Favorite “Kitty-Pops” Recipes:
Option #1: Low Calorie Cat “Frozen Treat Recipe:
You will need two blue berries, and 2 T low sodium chicken broth. Each treat is 4 calories.
Option #2: High Calorie Cat “Frozen Treat” Recipe:
Place 1 T of your cat’s favorite wet food in a small cup, add 1 T low sodium chicken broth. Next you can flavor with other fun food items like oats, canned pumpkin, peanut butter, dry kibble, yogurt, and even fruits like blueberries.
Option #3: Sensitive Stomach Recipe:
Take your pet’s regular diet and freeze it in small portions. Ice cube trays or small dip container can be used as molds for feline frozen treats. Add your pets diet to fill half the container, then just add water and freeze!
