3 Chilled Summer Delights for Hot Dogs
Y'all ready for it? Brace yourselves – the sweltering, sticky heat of yet another southern summer is right around the corner here at the Ranch in the Eastern outskirts of Atlanta. And you know what that means? It's the season of hot and panting dogs! Our furry friends need some summer treats to beat the heat and keep their tails wagging.
While we humans might reach for a popsicle to cool down, our four-legged pals deserve their own frosty delights! In this blog, I'm sharing 3 Chilled Summer Delights for Hot Dogs. 🍦🐶
But before we dive in, a couple of things to keep in mind:
🐾 Make sure to read ALL the ingredients carefully and avoid any artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, which can be downright dangerous for our canine buddies.
🐾 If you have any concerns about what treats are safe for your dog, don't hesitate to reach out to your trusted veterinarian for expert advice and support.
#1 - Bark-Worthy Banana Split Frozen Yogurt Kongs 🍌🍨
Forget about the chocolate syrup and crushed nuts. This pup-tastic, banana split-inspired doggie dessert is guaranteed to be a hit – you might even catch yourself licking the spoon! 😋
Here's what you'll need:
🐾 Plain Greek Yogurt - Personally, I love the Cabot Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt.
🐾 Bananas - Don't worry if they're a little overripe. In fact, I often snag discounted just past their prime bananas for this recipe!
🐾 Strawberries - I usually opt for organic ones, or better yet, I head to Washington Farms in Watkinsville, GA, and pick 'em myself!
🐾 Whipped Cream - Check the ingredients carefully or whip up your own cream.
🐾 Kong (or any other slow feeder that you can pop in the freezer) - For my flat faced dog crew - I love the West Paw Toppls.
Here's how you make 'em:
1️⃣ Dice the strawberries and bananas into tiny pea-sized pieces.
2️⃣ Stir those fruity pieces into the Greek yogurt.
3️⃣ Pipe the fruity yogurt mixture into the Kongs. A trusty ziploc baggie does the trick – Or even just a spoon if you’re ok with a bit of mess.
4️⃣ Pop them into the freezer for a few hours or overnight.
5️⃣ To make it EXTRA special, top it off with a dollop of whipped cream before serving it up!
#2 - Summer Splashers: Low-Calorie Cool Treats for Dogs 🌊❄️
Whether your pup could shed a few pounds or not, Summer Splashers are a blast to make and a refreshing way to help your dog cool off. You can serve them as stand-alone treats or drop them in their water dish to cool down the water, provide some mental stimulation, and encourage hydration!
Talk about multi-tasking! 🐾💦
Here's what you'll need:
🐾 Water
🐾 Bone Broth (optional) - If you are choosing a human made version instead of one formulated just for dogs - be sure to TRIPLE check the ingredients that no extra flavoring has been added.
🐾 Ice Trays - I love the fun silicone ones in doggie paw shapes.
🐾 Dog-Safe Fruits & Vegetables
Here's the drill:
1️⃣ Cut up dog-safe fruits and veggies into tiny pieces that fit your ice cube trays.
2️⃣ Fill those ice cube trays with the fruit and veggie goodness.
3️⃣ Top it off with water and/or broth.
4️⃣ Freeze those ice trays into pup-approved ice cubes.
5️⃣ Serve them up as a treat or make a splash by dropping them into your pup's water dish!
And hey, don't be afraid to get creative! Mix and match different fruits and veggies, find out your dog's favorites, or even whip up some puree' cubes by blending those fruits and veggies together. Woof, the possibilities are endless! 🍓🥦
If you're wondering about dog-safe fruits and veggies, I've got you covered!
Click here to download a List of Dog-Safe Fruits & Vegetables!
#3 - Strawberry Banana Smoothie Treats for Tail-Waggin' Good Times! 🍓🍌🥤
A refreshing strawberry banana smoothie is easily one of my top 3 cool treats for those scorching summer days. And guess what? This delightful spin on a human favorite is also dog-approved! Plus, it shares many ingredients with our first cool summer treat, so you can use up all those yummy goodies while keeping your pup's taste buds on their toes!
Here's what you'll need:
🐾 Plain Greek Yogurt - Again, read the label.
🐾 Bananas - Overripe ones work like a charm.
🐾 Strawberries
🐾 Peanut Butter (optional) - Because who can resist?
🐾 Silicone Mold
Here's how you make 'em:
1️⃣ Blend together the fruit and yogurt (add peanut butter if you're feeling fancy).
2️⃣ Pour that fruity yogurt blend into the silicone molds.
3️⃣ Freeze those molds into doggie-approved popsicles.
4️⃣ Serve 'em up and watch your pup go bananas!
Strawberry banana smoothie dog treats are a breeze to make, and your dog will go wild for them! Feel free to try out different sizes and shapes of molds to find the perfect fit for your pup. 🐶👅
So, which of these paw-approved treats will you whip up first?! 🐕❄️🍦
