Ice treats for dogs can be fun and healthy treats, but chewing on ice cubes could pose a choking hazard or break teeth, while excessive consumption could result in bloat.
Make sure that you use freezer-safe molds and basic supplies (depending on the recipe). Keep in mind that many of these options contain high amounts of calories and fat and should only be eaten occasionally.
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Plain old ice cubes
Ice cubes can be used to cool the liquid down in your dog’s water bowl or eaten as an occasional treat; they’re generally considered safe for their consumption, though care must be taken not to put your small or young pups at risk for choking. Ice cubes often become dislodged while chewing, potentially lodged in their throat or swallowed whole, which could be fatal.
Chocking down on ice regularly can also cause tooth breakage in dogs, particularly puppies and older dogs with dental issues. Chewing on it too frequently could also wear away at their tooth enamel and damage its integrity; to minimize this risk it’s wise to offer small cubes of ice as treats on occasion only.
Make their frozen treat even more interesting by including fruit or kibble pieces into an ice cube tray before freezing; this will provide them with something safe yet tasty that keeps them hydrated on hot days!
Frozen treats
Frozen treats are an easy and delicious way to add variety and enrichment to your dog’s diet. Simply sprinkle a few into their bowl for a treat, or use as meal toppers! Plus, they promote digestive health while providing mental enrichment – bonus!
Doing it yourself can save time and money when making homemade popsicles for your dog. Simply combine plain yogurt and bone broth, or combine with ingredients such as pumpkin puree and peanut butter for extra flavor – but be sure to use low-sodium or reduced-sugar peanut butter, since too much sodium could be harmful. Pour this mixture into ice cube trays or paper cups in fun shapes like dog bones or dinosaurs before freezing!
Cooper’s Treats provides convenient pre-made pupsicle powder mixes, complete with adorable paw and bone molds and regular and grain-free doggie ice cream recipes, for less time-consuming options. However, please keep the amount of frozen treats to less than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
Frozen water
Frozen water makes an excellent summer treat for dogs with sensitive stomachs, while it also acts as a great way to keep your pup hydrated while out in the heat.
Create a light and refreshing snack for your pup by mixing equal parts ice cubes with broth or water in equal parts, to produce an icy treat they’re sure to love! Add in frozen toys like small chew toys or Kongs as extra challenges and fun for them!
Consider mixing in some peanut butter or banana for an ultra-protein-packed and antioxidant-rich frozen treat, or create a chewy center by mixing some chopped berry pieces with yogurt-water mixture – like this example from My Brown Newfies!
Always exercise moderation with treats; too many can lead to digestive issues and weight gain in dogs. Furthermore, keep an eye out for signs of heat stress including labored breathing, collapsed postures, excessive panting or discolored gums in your pet.
Ice cream
As a rule, dogs shouldn’t eat store-bought ice cream as it often contains too much sugar, dairy and potentially toxic ingredients such as xylitol and chocolate. Instead, you can create their own homemade frozen treat at home using this simple three ingredient recipe:
Combine banana, peanut butter and yogurt in a blender until well mixed. Make sure the peanut butter does not contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol (an artificial sweetener that can be fatal to dogs). Pour the mixture into silicone molds in bone or paw shapes for quick freezing; however ice cube trays might yield thicker treats that require more effort to extract from.
To keep the ice cream from melting too quickly, place one of your dog’s favorite long chews or strips of jerky into each mold as a handle before freezing the dessert until ready to serve – you can store any leftovers up to one month in the freezer!
