It’s officially the Dog Days of Summer, so this week we’re celebrating our furry friends — cats included — with design-savvy, pet-friendly spaces, DIY recipes and more.
Keeping your pets active year-round is important, but that can be tough during the summer months when it’s just So. Darn. Hot. To help your dogs cool down on a scorching day, try these DIY frozen dog treats. They’re easy to make with only three ingredients, and they’ll keep your pup busy for, well, maybe a few minutes. (My dogs, who typically gobble down their food in seconds, had to work on them for a little bit.)
I made these treats with peanut butter, strawberries and blueberries for a PB&J theme, but you could make them with lots of different ingredients depending on your dog’s tastes: bananas, sweet potatoes, plain yogurt, chicken broth or veggies. Just be sure to steer clear of foods that are poisonous or otherwise unhealthy for dogs. (Refer to this list from The Humane Society.)
What You’ll Need
1/4 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/3 cup natural, unsweetened peanut butter (Make sure your PB doesn’t contain a sugar substitute called xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.)
ice cube tray (For bonus cute points, use a silicone mold with paw print or dog bone-shaped cavities. Ingredient measurements may vary depending on the size of your tray.)
blender
Combine the strawberries and blueberries in a blender and blend to a smoothie-like consistency. (You may need to add a tablespoon or two of water to get it thin enough.) Spoon the berry mixture into your ice cube tray, filling each cavity about halfway.
Fill each ice cube cavity the rest of the way with peanut butter.
Freeze for at least two hours, pop the treats out of the tray and let your pup enjoy! You can store extra treats in freezer-safe food containers in layers separated by wax or parchment paper.
More Recipes, Products + DIY Projects for Your Pet:
- Peanut Butter Ice Cream for Your Pooch
- DIY Wood-Burned Dog Bowls
- 12 Stylish Home Decorations for Dog People + Cat People
- Fun Pet Products to Buy or DIY
From:: HGTV