Frosty DIY Delicacies for Your Doggie Companions! 

It always feels like summer in MIami and you know what that means, it’s gotten hot, hot, and hotter outside for our furry friends! We have to make sure we can keep them cool and comfortable during these next few months. Walking and playing with your dogs in Miami’s heat will make a pup thirsty. Keep them cool, hydrated, and safe from heat stroke following our tips, and by adding in these fun, frozen DIY dog treats to give your pets a tasty relief from the heat!

Frozen Apple Dog Treats

Apples are a great source of fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C for your pet and they are mmm-mmm good! This recipe, courtesy of irrestiblepets.com, requires three simple ingredients: 2 apples, 1 cup of nonfat plain yogurt, and water. Supplies-wise you will need a blender, ice cube tray, measuring cups, knife and cutting board.

Directions: Slice 2 apples into small pieces making sure you remove all the seeds and the core. The seeds are poisonous to dogs, so don’t skip this step! Mix the apples, yogurt and a splash of water and blend into a liquid consistency. Pour mixture into ice cube trays and place in freezer till frozen. Serve! You can store the extra cubes in a freezer bag or Tupperware.

Icee Dog Cake

Throwing your pup a summer birthday bash? Kool Dogz sells a DIY-Dogsicle kit, but you don’t need the kit to make an awesome treat for your pet and the fuzzy fellows to enjoy! Instructions: Fill a 96 oz or bucket size of your choice with water and/or low sodium chicken/beef broth. Add dog toys and treats of your choice and freeze until solid. You can also add peanut butter (make sure there is no Xylitol), carrots, peas or a doggie beverage instead of water. Place on a plate and let the fun begin!

Strawberry Banana Dogsicles

This treat is for those furry friends who love multiple flavor profiles in their treats! This recipe, courtesy of Doggydessertchef.com, requires 4 simple ingredients: 1 cup of plain yogurt divided in half, 1 pound of strawberries divided in half, 1 banana and 4 rawhide sticks or whatever treat you decide to use as sticks for your Popsicles.

For the First Layer, Add ½ pound of strawberries and ½ cup of yogurt to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. The second layer consists of 1 banana and rest of the yogurt into a blender until smooth. The final layer has the remaining blend of strawberries.

Directions for Frozen Dog Treats

1. Pour an inch or so of your first layer mixture into the bottom of each cup.
2. Allow to freeze for 30 minutes, and insert your rawhide stick or treat of your choice.
3. Repeat pouring the layers, allowing them to set 30 minutes in between, until they are all used.
4. Freeze for 8 hours to allow them to fully set.
5. Run warm water around the mold to remove the Popsicle. Makes 4 Popsicles.

For more crafty canine culinary ideas visit www.doggiedessertchef.com. If you are unsure of certain food intolerances your pet may have please discuss with your veterinarian before feeding your dog any homemade foods.

Bone Appetit!

Frankie Berti

A founding member of the Equipaws family, Frankie can mostly be found working behind the scenes, helping co-create online branding, managing several social media accounts, designing brand collateral, writing copy, and managing events. She also fills in for pet sitters and dog walkers when needed in Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, and South Miami. Her own small pack consists of Boots the Shih Tzu mix and Nutmeg the Chiweenie.