During any hot weather spell, dogs can really struggle to cope with the heat.
It is important to ensure they have enough water to drink, as well as shelter and avoiding the direct sunlight (as well as any surfaces which may be too hot for their paws). A little doggy paddling pool is also a great idea, as they can use it when they need to.
But when you reach for the ice creams or fruit lollies to help you out, spare a thought for your pooch as they stare on wanting to share. As they aren’t meant to eat much dairy and most human lollies are a bit too sugary for them, it isn’t a good idea to allow them a lick.
So, we recommend you get a bit crafty. If you reach for your Fab, how are they to know that their special dog ice lolly isn’t the same? The ice will cool them down, and it will be really tasty too.
How To Make A Dog Ice Lolly
Things are a little different for dogs than for humans.
For a starter – avoid wooden lolly sticks. If your dog doesn’t know when to stop, these could end up in their tummy, making them very ill and causing pain as they are digested if they splinter.
Instead, pour the mixture into a small paper cup and partially freeze. When they are almost solid but still soft enough to alter, stick a dedicated dog chew into the mixture, and remove the cup before handing over. You can hold it to make it easier for them to eat.
Or, just pour into a mould and hand over the ice lolly in a bowl. You could use a plastic stick but would have to ensure your dog doesn’t bite down or steal the stick, so it may be risky.
Dog Ice Lolly Ideas
Here are some recipes for your canine ice lollies:
Fruit & Veg Smoothie Lollies
Dogs can have some fruits and vegetables in small quantities. As carnivores, they don’t have a real need for them, but a small amount can be okay.
Try blending up some safe fruits and veggies, such as banana, apple, blueberry, pineapple, strawberry, broccoli, carrot, and peas. Pretend you’re making a smoothie for yourself, and then place into ice lolly or cube moulds.
AVOID – any food items which dogs should not eat, such as mushroom, onion, avocado, tomato, grape and cherry. It can be a great way to use up any other leftover vegetables and fruit though.
Meaty Broth Bites
Sound appealing, don’t they?
This is basically your dog’s wet food, mixed with some meat stock or gravy, and frozen. YUM.
On a serious note, however, these are great if you can’t really change up your dog’s diet too much, and if they love meat flavoured things and not much else. Just don’t get them confused with your chocolate Mini Milks.
Yoghurt Treats
These are really easy, and again allow you to give your dog their usual diet without too much alteration.
Just buy some yoghurt which is low fat, low in sugars and in a flavour which dogs can have. Coat their usual small bite treats in it, and freeze.
The yoghurt can be bought inexpensively, and it requires no blending or mess.
Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream Lolly
Two foodstuffs which most dogs love.
This is more of an ice cream consistency, using only ripe bananas, plain yoghurt and peanut butter. Blend them all until mixed, and pour into some ice trays.
Or, make a full tub so you can give them a scoop in their food dish – this way, they won’t be able to tell they don’t have what you have. In fact, there is no reason why you can’t all have the same as it is human-grade!
NOTE – Ensure your peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
