Ice cream…for dogs?? Yep, that’s right! If you’re dog is looking at you with those sad puppy eyes as you enjoy that delicious chocolate ice cream this summer, now you can give him or her something to enjoy too! While it may be tempting to sneak your dogs a taste of your ice cream, it may contain harmful ingredients; it’s not worth the risk to your lovable pets! And, yes, there are plenty of doggie ice creams on the market, but they’re often pricey.
Now, you can easily prepare homemade versions of your favorite frozen delights to help your furry friends keep cool and happy! Just don’t add sugar (it’s not good for your pooch!) and use yogurt with active cultures rather than dairy products. With these healthy, mouth-watering treats, your dog is sure to be begging for more on a hot, summer day!
The Paws-itively Delightful Elvis Treat
We all know The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, loved the combination of peanut butter and bananas. The “Elvis” sandwich is made with peanut butter, bananas and, occasionally, bacon! Now, your dogs can enjoy these delicious flavors as well!
Ingredients:
· 1 ripe banana
· 1 cup of peanut butter
· 2 cups of natural plain yogurt
· 2 tbsps. of honey
· A bit of chopped up bacon (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mash the banana and then stir it into the natural yogurt.
2. Warm the cup of peanut butter in a microwave or stove until it’s easy to stir.
3. Add the banana and yogurt mixture with some honey to the softened peanut butter. At this point you can also include some chopped up bacon for added texture!
4. Mix all ingredients until well-combined.
5. Pour the mixture into a non-stick container and then freeze overnight.
It’s really that easy! You don’t need any special ingredients or equipment, and your pups will now have a go-to snack they can enjoy at the height of the summer season. You can even enjoy some with them, if you like!
Strawberry Coconut Bon A-pet-treat!
It can be confusing to know what is safe and what’s toxic for our furry friends but, rest assured, strawberries are a great fruit to share with your pups! Coconut oil can improve your dog’s skin and coat, improves digestion, and can also reduce allergic reactions.
Ingredients:
· 32 oz of plain yogurt
· ½ cup of pure coconut butter
· 1 cup of fresh strawberries (washed and dried)
Instructions:
1. Simply add the yogurt, coconut butter and strawberries into a blender and blend till smooth. If you don’t have a blender, no problem. Mash the strawberries with the coconut butter by hand, and mix in with the yogurt. Your dogs may prefer the added texture anyways!
2. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container.
3. Place in the freezer until frozen!
If you’re looking to add that special something on top of your pups ice cream before giving it to them, here are a few safe options they can enjoy:
· A spoonful of applesauce
· Some dribbles of honey
· Bits of crispy bacon
· A sprinkle of rice crispies
· Dashes of toasted sesame seeds
Now that you know how simple it is to make dog-friendly ice cream, you can switch up the combinations of fruits you use. Try using veggies as well! Just make sure each ingredient is safe for your pup. Bone Appetit!