I know it sounds crazy to be talking about dog frozen treats in September, but it seems that the heat isn't done with us yet. With temps in the upper 90's for the next week in the Portland area, your furry best friend will be looking for a way to cool off a little.
I have some Lucas approved frozen dog treats that your dog will love too. The best part is they are also healthy so you don't have to feel bad about indulging him. Now that doesn't mean they can go crazy. All things in moderation. (That is much easier to do for our dogs than it is for ourselves.)
I started giving Lucas frozen pumpkin as a way to keep his digestive system healthy and happy. After a while, I started sticking a blueberry in the middle of the pumpkin as an extra surprise. Now Lucas gets a variety of frozen goodies that contain his favorite fruits and veggies. Here are some of his favorites...
Pumpkin Banana Treats
1 cups plain non-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt
1 (15oz) can of pumpkin puree (make sure not to get the pumpkin pie mix)
1 tsp honey
1 ripe banana
-Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor
-Spoon the mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds
-Freeze at least 5 hours
-Give your dog a frozen surprise
Blueberry Banana Treats
1/2 of ripe banana
3/4 cup blueberries
3/4 cup non-fat or low-fat plain Greek yogurt
-Blend all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor until combined
-Spoon into ice cube trays or silicone molds
-Freeze for at least 5 hours
-Pop one out of the freezer after a nice long walk
Watermelon and Cucumber Treats
3 cups seedless watermelon or any other kind of melon
1 cucumber, peeled with seeds removed
1/4 water for each layer
-Blend the cucumber and water in a blender or food processor
-Pour into the molds or ice cube tray about 1/4 to 1/2 of the way up
-Freeze for at least 5 hours
-Blend the watermelon and water in a blender or food processor
-Pour on top of the cucumber mixture already in the molds or ice cube tray
-Freeze at least 5 hours
-Pop out of the molds and put in a freezer-safe container
Carrot, Parsley, and Yogurt Treats
1/3 cups shredded carrots (I buy the julienne carrots in the bag)
1/3 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 1/3 cup non-fat or low-fat plain Greek yogurt
-Put all of the ingredients into a bowl and combine
-Spoon into a silicone mold or ice cube tray
-Freeze for at least 5 hours
-Give one to your dog as an after-dinner treat
Apple Yogurt Treats
1 apple, core removed and cut into pieces
1/2 cup non-fat or low-fat plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup water
-Blend the ingredients in a blender or food processor
-Spoon into silicone molds or ice cube trays
-Freeze for at least 5 hours
-These make a great mid-day snack
These recipes are just a starting point. You can use a variety of combinations, but here is a list of potential ingredients in case you need some inspiration.
Veggies
-Carrots
-Green Beans
-Spinach
-Kale
-Broccoli
-Cucumber
-Sweet Potatoes (baked first so they are soft or use the canned kind)
-Zucchini
-Bell Pepper
-Parsley or Mint
Fruits
-Blueberries
-Strawberries
-Watermelon
-Apples
-Cantaloupe
-Blackberries
-Pineapple
-Mango
-Cranberries
-Banana
-Pumpkin (yes, it is a fruit. I had to check too)
Other choices
-Plain Greek yogurt
-Bone Broth
-Peanut Butter
-Shredded Chicken
-Goat's Milk
Get creative and have some fun. Your dog will not be shy about what he likes and doesn't like. If your dog is like Lucas, then the skies the limit. He loves fruits and veggies so much that you can't make a juice or salad at our house without him sitting right there waiting to get some.
Click the video below to see some of my favorite tools for making these fun frozen goodies.
I really do love these silicone molds. If you would like to get this set just click here. I am not affiliated with this company, but this is the set that I bought to make these treats. I was using a silicone ice cube tray that made treats that were shaped like gumdrops, but it is more difficult to remove the treats from these and they don't clean up as well.
Lucas has tasted and approved all of these treats. He assured me that your dog will love them too. Happy treat-making!
Note: This blog is not meant to replace the advice of your vet or nutritionist. The fruits, veggies, and other mix-ins are safe for most dogs in moderation.