3 Cool Summer Treats for Hot Dogs
Written by Courtney Bryson
It’s coming. The brutal humid heat of another southern summer is nearly upon us here in the outskirts of Atlanta. And with the summer heat comes the season of hot & panting dogs. Our dogs need a few cool summer treats to keep them comfortable.
While we might reach for a popsicle to cool off, our dogs would enjoy a cool treat too! In this blog, I’m sharing 3 Cool Summer Treats for Hot Dogs.
Here’s a few things to note before we get started:
- Carefully read ALL ingredients & be sure to avoid any artificial sweeteners, specifically xylitol which can be deadly for dogs.
- If you have any concerns about what your dog can or cannot have, reach out to your veterinarian for support.
Banana split inspired
FROZEN YOGURT
KONGS & SLOW FEEDERS
WHAT YOU NEED
Skipping the chocolate syrup & crushed nuts, this banana split inspired dog dessert is sure to be a hit – you might even find yourself licking the spoon!
- Plain Greek Yogurt – I prefer the Cabot Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt
- Bananas – Overripe is fine – I usually pick up the bag of discounted bananas!
- Strawberries – Since we eat the outside of the strawberry, I usually choose organic.
- Whipped Cream – Check the ingredients carefully, or make your own.
- Kong – or any other slow feeder you can freeze.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Dice the fruit
Dice the strawberries & bananas into bite sized pieces that will fit into the big end of your Kong.
2. Stir
Stir the fruit into the Greek yogurt. You’ll notice there aren’t amounts in this recipe. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find how much fruit to yogurt your dog loves in her treats.
3. Pipe
Pipe the fruit & yogurt mixture into Kongs – a Ziploc baggie works great for this!
4. Freeze & Serve
To make it EXTRA special – top with a little whipped cream before serving it up!
A Low Calorie Cool Summer Treat for Dogs
SUMMER SPLASHES
WATER ENHANCER FOR DOGS
WHAT YOU NEED
Whether your dog could stand to loose a few pounds or not, Summer Splashers are a fun & EASY treat to make for your dog to help them cool off. You can offer them alone, or toss them into their water dish to both cool their water, provide some enrichment activity, and encourage more water intake!
- Water
- Bone Broth – or other low sodium broth (optional)
- Ice Trays
- Dog safe fruits & vegetables
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Dice the fruit & veggies
Dice the the fruit & vegetables you’ll use in your dog treats into pieces small enough to go into your ice cube trays.
2. Stuff
Stuff the ice cube trays with a mix of fruit & veggies. Experiment to find what your dog loves in his treats – all fruit? mixed fruit? all veggie? a mix of everything?
3. Top
Top your mixture with water and/or broth to fill up your ice cube trays.
4. Freeze & Serve
Offer as a treat, or splash into their water dish!
STRAWBERRY BANANA TREATS FOR DOGS
SMOOTHIE TREATS
A DOG APPROVED SPIN ON A FAVORITE SUMMER SNACK
WHAT YOU NEED
A refreshing strawberry banana smoothie is on my personal top 3 cool treats on a summer day – and this refreshing spin on a people favorite is dog approved. Plus, this dog treat recipe uses many of the same ingredients from our first cool summer treat for dogs, so you can use up all your ingredients while still giving your dog some variety!
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Bananas – Overripe is fine.
- Strawberries – Since we eat the outside of the strawberry, I usually choose organic – or even better, pick them myself at Washington Farms in Watkinsville, GA.
- Peanut butter (optional)
- Silicone Mold
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Blend
Blend fruit & yogurt (add peanut butter if desired) – My blender was on the fritz when I wrote this, so I just mashed everything with a fork.
2. Pour
Pour mixture into silicone molds.
3. Freeze & Serve
Strawberry banana smoothie dog treats are super easy to make – and dogs love them! Try different size & shaped molds to find the size that fits your dog best.
So which treat are you going to try first?
This blog is a part of a blog circle with pet photographers from across the globe! This week we’re sharing some of our dogs favorite treat recipes. Next up Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, WA, taking a break to whip up some ice cream treats for Bella.
Be sure to keep clicking the link at the bottom to complete the circle until you wind up back here!
And if you’re thinking of a summer photo session, take a look at this gorgeous session I did last summer in the morning to beat the heat!
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In the Press
Courtney of CM Bryson is a pet portrait and lifestyle photographer who takes interesting narrative photographs of all sorts of pets –– cats, dogs, donkeys, you name it. She has an amazing ability to capture the fun-loving side of your pets, as well as their deep attachment to you, all while also being able to stage hilarious photoshoots that bring out the inner comedian in your little guys. Whether you’re looking for a serious, high-concept portrait or a hilarious photo of your pet sure to make you giggle for years to come, Courtney might just be the pet photographer for you.
Wow! they all look yummy. I love your give away list of the safe fruits and veggies for your dog.
I’ve never added fruit, what a great idea! Time for me to find all the Kongs and head to the kitchen!
These are great, my gang love frozen treats when its hot!
I’m always looking for Kong recipes that aren’t the same old-same old, so I’m pinning this to try as the perfect summer treat!
These area adorable treats! Beautiful with the color from the fruit haha!!! Perfect!
Those smoothie treats are on my agenda. I won a silicone mold in a basket and have never used it. Now I have a use for it! Loved the blog.
Such a beautiful post, love the layout, all the images are delicious looking and the give away of the dog-safe food list is a winner! Terrific job and gives me “food for thought” (see what I did there? LOL)