Homemade Summer Treats To Keep Your Pup Cool This Summer

 

The sun is out, which means that we’re all enjoying sweet treats like popsicles, ice creams, and sorbets. If you’re a dog owner, then you want to share every happy experience with your pooch, but some human treats can hurt your dog.

Nothing beats a delicious smoothie to help you keep your cool. But enjoying a tasty smoothie isn’t just for humans. Dogs love to indulge in the refreshing snack, too, but you need to make sure the smoothie is pup-friendly.

PAWS Therapy Team understands that dog owners want their pup to feel comfortable in the heat. We also know that you need to find the right treats for your pup so that they stay safe and happy.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of tasty, refreshing treats that you can make for your dog at home. You’ll have fun trying out new recipes, and you’ll love seeing how happy the outcome makes your pup.

These smoothie recipes are great for dogs, and the ingredients make them a perfect fit for you, too. So mix up some refreshing summer treats and enjoy them with your pup.

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Before You Make a Smoothie for Dogs

You’re excited. You’re ready to whip out the blender and start mixing up a fabulous gourmet smoothie that is worthy of your commendable canine. However, before you press the blend button, it’s imperative to ensure you’re only using foods your dog can eat.

Some fruits aren’t suitable for dogs and can hurt them, so make sure that you check before you add them to your smoothie. Some fruits that dogs can’t eat include:

• Grapes

• Raisins

• Avocados

When making a smoothie for your pup, make sure that you strain the mixture to remove as many pips and seeds as possible. Not only are some seeds toxic, but they could also get stuck in your dog’s throat. By taking the time to strain your smoothie, you’ll be able to create a refreshing drink that they love.

Flavor your smoothie with nut butter, and you can also add a small amount of plain yogurt to give it a creamy consistency and make it even tastier.

Also, be careful to remove all stems, leaves, seeds, cores, peels, etc. from fruits and vegetables. Wash fruits and vegetables, and cut or slice them into small chunks. Avoid using sugar-free ingredients that can potentially contain Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Likewise, no chocolate smoothies for your pup, unless you use carob as a chocolate alternative.

It’s also wise to keep a mindful eye on the portion sizes. Even if a particular food is safe for your pup, it doesn’t mean their stomach can handle a whole bowl full of it. Serve a moderate portion and limit your pup to an occasional smoothie instead of making them every day.

If you’re not sure about your smoothie recipe, check with your vet first. Consulting with your vet is always a great go-to move when making homemade dog food or treats. They know your dog’s specific needs and can advise you on portion sizes and recipe tweaks that would be a better match for your precious pooch. For example, many dogs can enjoy a small amount of plain yogurt, but what if your dog is lactose-intolerant? Therefore, always consider your dog’s unique needs and discuss things with your vet before proceeding.

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Key Tips & Safety

• Avoid Xylitol: Never use yogurt or peanut butter containing Xylitol, which is toxic.

• Dairy Sensitivity: Use plain, low-fat Greek yogurt for probiotics, or swap for coconut milk/water for a dairy-free option.

• Safe Fruits/Veg: Excellent additions include blueberries, strawberries, bananas, apples (no seeds), pumpkin, and carrots.

• Serving Size: Serve in moderation as a treat, not a meal replacement. 

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Five Refreshing Dog-Friendly Smoothies to Try This Summer

Here are five delicious smoothie recipes for you and your pup to enjoy this summer. There’s also a convenient grocery list included at the end if you decide you want to try all of these recipes to find your dog’s favorites.

In addition to the ingredients, you’ll need a good quality blender or something like the Magic Bullet to create a perfectly smooth shake. All of these recipes are super simple to make, basically, add everything into a blender and blend until smooth. Therefore, you can expect each one to take only a couple of minutes.

Note: Any recipe that uses bananas, calls for frozen bananas. So as soon as you get home from your grocery run, peel the bananas, place them in a freezer-safe tray, and put them in the freezer.

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1. Classic Strawberry Banana Smoothie 

(Adapted from Gone to the Snow Dogs)

Ingredients

• 1 cup of fresh strawberries

• 1 cup of peeled frozen bananas

• ⅔ cup water

• 1 single-serving container of plain Greek yogurt (make sure it does not contain any artificial sweeteners)

How To Make

Wash the strawberries and cut them in half. Then, slice the frozen bananas.  Place all of your ingredients into your blender and start blending. Serve in your container of choice (we give some suggestions towards the end of this article).

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2. Green Smoothie for Dogs

(Adapted from Proud Dog Mom)

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of cold water

• 2 ice cubes

• 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

• ⅓ cup chunked fresh pineapple

• ¼ teaspoon ground chia seeds

• Handful of broccoli

How To Make

Soak the chia seeds in water. While they soak, peel and cut the pineapple into chunks. Add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend at high speed until smooth. Serve immediately.

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3. Blueberry Smoothie

(Adapted from Hemppy Dog)

Ingredients

• 1 peeled frozen banana

• ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt

• ½ cup of frozen blueberries

• 1 tablespoon of honey or peanut butter (optional)

• 1 cup of water

How To Make

Slice the banana and add to a blender with the blueberries and the rest of the ingredients. Blend everything until the mixture is smooth, then pour into the serving container of your choice.

You can use this same recipe but substitute various fruits or vegetables for the blueberries. Try strawberries, pineapple, apples, or kiwi.

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4. Pumpkin Pup Smoothie

(Adapted from Sweet Simple Vegan)

Many pumpkin smoothies for dogs contain cinnamon, which, although non-toxic for dogs, isn’t always the best choice. This recipe avoids using cinnamon but still delivers a tasty pumpkin-flavored snack for your dog.

Ingredients

• 1 can of pumpkin puree

• ½ cup of crushed ice

• ¾ cup of water

• 3 tablespoons of coconut meat

• 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

• ¼ cup of frozen blueberries

How To Make

Blend all ingredients in a blender on high speed until smooth, then pour into bowls.

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5. Carob Creation 

(Adapted from Long Haul Trekkers)

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk

• 1/4 cup of carob powder

• 3 tablespoons of peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon honey

How To Make

Slice bananas, then blend all ingredients together until smooth. Serve immediately in the container of your choice.

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Dog Smoothie Grocery List

If you know you want to make every smoothie on this list, here’s what you’ll need to grab at the grocery store.

• 1 cup of fresh strawberries

• 1 large bag of frozen blueberries

• Jar of peanut butter

• 1 can of pumpkin puree

• 4 to 5 bananas

• 1 fresh coconut

• 1 can of coconut milk

• 1 fresh pineapple

• Small container of honey

• ¼ cup of carob powder

• Small container of chia seeds

• Bag of fresh broccoli florets

• Plain Greek yogurt, either two single-serve containers or one large tub

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Fun Ways to Serve a Smoothie for Dogs

Your dog will likely be perfectly satisfied if you put your homemade concoction in their regular food bowl. But, why not go a step further and really make things special?

• Garnish your pup’s smoothie with their favorite treat. 

• Put your pup’s smoothie in a Polar Bowl to keep it nice and cool for your four-legged pal.

• Another excellent option is to spread the smoothie onto the Neat-Lik treat mat. Place the mat in the freezer, then serve the frozen treat to a very excited pup. 

(Check out more tasty treat suggestions for the Neat-Lik treat mat.)

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A simple, healthy puppy smoothie can be made by blending  cup of plain, xylitol-free Greek yogurt,  ripe banana, and  cup of strawberries or blueberries. Blend until smooth, then serve directly or freeze in ice cube trays for a refreshing "pupsicle" treat. Ensure all ingredients are safe and introduce new foods slowly. 

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​​Other Recipe Variations

• Peanut Butter Banana: 1 banana, 1 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free), 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup water.

• Green Machine: 1 cup spinach, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 cup coconut water.

• Pumpkin Spice: 1 cup pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup water, 1 tbsp peanut butter, pinch of cinnamon. 

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Frozen Smoothie Cubes

Once you’ve made your dog a smoothie, you can give it to them in their bowl for them to drink, or you can freeze it for a delicious summer snack. All you have to do is pour the mixture into ice cube molds and then put it in the freezer for a few hours. You could even make your dog a popsicle or find cute bone-shaped molds online to create quirky treats that look good and taste even better.

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A Frozen Carrot

If you’re not a gourmet, or you want to start small, then freezing a carrot is the easiest way to create a tasty treat that your pup will love. Most dogs enjoy eating carrots, and they’re a healthy, natural treat all year round. When it’s hot outside, your pup deserves a cooling treat, so freeze a carrot to give them hours of enjoyment. They can chew on the refreshing carrot when it’s fresh from the freezer, and as it thaws, they’ll be able to enjoy a tasty snack.

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Frozen Broth Treats

If your dog hasn’t got a sweet tooth, you can also freeze savory foods like chicken or beef broth to create delicious treats that they can devour during the day or munch on during the warm evening. Freezing leftover broth is also a great way to use up leftovers and ensure that nothing goes to waste. Ensure that the broth doesn’t have any additional flavorings, such as garlic, which can be harmful to your pup and make the treat taste nasty.

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Freeze Peanut Butter Into A Toy

Toys with holes in them are a great way to keep your precious pet occupied while you’re busy having fun. Many dog owners fill these holes with peanut butter to give their dogs something tasty to eat and keep them occupied. In the summer, you could try freezing your toy with the peanut butter inside it to create a refreshing treat that your dog adores and that keeps them busy if you have to go out without them.

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Dip Apple Slices In Peanut Butter

For a quick and easy treat that’s great for when you’re on the go, dip slices of apple into peanut butter and then pop them in the freezer for a few hours. The peanut butter will harden, and the treatment will be a delicious snack that you can take everywhere. Pop a few into a ziplock bag or a container when you head down the park with your dog, or, if they’re a therapy dog, use them when you’re at the facilities you visit. You could also try using other fruits, such as slices of melon or chunks of banana.

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Make Them An Ice Cream Sundae- Without The Cream!

Human ice cream is high in fat and can cause bloating and gas in dogs, but that doesn’t mean that your pup can’t join in the summer fun. It’s surprisingly easy to make them an ice cream treat that they’ll love. Use plain yogurt and flavor it with creamy peanut butter, banana, and other fruits suitable for dogs. Blend the ingredients until they form a smooth paste. When the mixture is smooth, freeze it in a container that your dog can eat out of, such as a disposable cup or their bowl. Take it out when it’s warm outside, and let your dog enjoy their refreshing ice cream treat.

It’s important to remember that these recipes are for treats. Many of these items are high in fat, so feeding your pup too many can cause weight gain, which can be bad for their health. Make sure that you feed your dog these treats sparingly and that you give them extra exercise so that they stay active.