With summer being upon us and the temperatures continuing to rise, we need to be extra diligent in making sure our pups stay cool and hydrated! Earlier this week, we had a blog about tricks and tips for keeping your dog cool and one of those tricks was using frozen treats. Now for those feeling extra adventurous, skip the store bought frozen treats and make your own with these seven recipes, I guarantee you, your pup will be overjoyed!

1. Peanut Butter & Apple Pupsicles:
Ingredients:
2 containers (6 oz. each) plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/3 cup regular applesauce (or a 4 oz. snack size portion)

Instructions:
Stir together all ingredients in a mixing bowl with a spoon until well combined. Divide mixture into small paper or plastic cups (or ice cube trays for bite-sized treats) and freeze for about 3-4 hours. Loosen treat by holding cup under warm water from the faucet and serve.

2. Frozen Yogurt & Berry Bones:
Ingredients
1/2 cup whole Blueberries
1 cup chopped Strawberries
1 cup plain Yogurt

Directions
1. Combine all ingredients until mixed.
2. Pour into molds (we used bone shaped, but any will do!) and freeze for at least 4 to 5 hours before serving.

Via: http://doggydessertchef.com/2013/09/02/strawberry-blueberry-yogurt/

3. Frozen Star Shaped Treats:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
8 strawberries
1/4 cup blueberries

Instructions:
Rinse fruit and cut stems off the strawberries. Mix 1/2 cup water along with all the strawberries in a blender until liquefied. Repeat with the blueberries. Pour mixture into star shaped ice cube trays (you can always use regular ice cube trays, but the ones with shapes are so cute!) Let freeze 2-4 hours at least.

Via: http://irresistiblepets.net/2012/08/diy-frozen-star-dog-treats/

4. PB&J Pops:
Ingredients
1/4 cup Peanut Butter
2 cups Strawberries, chopped (frozen or fresh)
1/2 cup Blueberries (frozen or fresh)
1 3/4 cup plain Yogurt, divided
4 Rawhide Sticks

First Layer
1/4 cup Peanut Butter
3/4 cup plain Yogurt
Add peanut butter and yogurt to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth

Second Layer
2 cups Strawberries, chopped
1/4 cup plain Yogurt
Add strawberries and yogurt to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth

Third Layer
1/2 cup Blueberries
3/4 cup plain Yogurt
Mix blueberries and yogurt

Directions
1. Pour an inch or so of your first layer mixture into the bottom of each cup.
2. Allow to freeze for 30 minutes, and insert your rawhide stick.
3. Repeat pouring the layers, allowing them to set 30 minutes in between, until they are all used.
4. Freeze for 8 hours to allow them to fully set.
5. Run warm water around the mold to remove the popsicle.
Makes 4 popsicles.

Via: http://doggydessertchef.com/2012/05/28/pbj-pops/

5. Frozen Peanut Butter & Yogurt Heart Treats:
Ingredients:
Plain organic Greek yogurt
Natural peanut butter
Heart shaped ice cube tray

Directions:
Spoon a small amount of peanut butter into the base of the ice tray. You can heat up the peanut butter first to make it easier (and not so messy) to spoon in. The more you add, the thicker the top layer on the treats will appear. Next up, dollop heaping spoonfuls of the yogurt to cover the peanut butter in each mold. Press yogurt down into the molds using the back of your spoon to make sure they’re packed. This will help seal the peanut butter and yogurt together in the final treat. You can even gently “drop” the tray a few times in order to encourage further settling. If you have excess yogurt in any of the molds, gently scoop away until level with mold and pop into the freezer for at least 4 hours and then pop out of tray for a cool summer treat!

Via: http://www.17apart.com/2014/02/valentines-pets-diy-natural-frozen-dog.html

As with anything that your dog consumes, make sure you supervise after you give them one of these treats to make sure your pup doesn’t react badly to them. If your pup is sensitive to certain foods or is on a special diet, double check with your vet before making any treats that might not be the best thing for them. And if you end up making some and they are a hit, please let us know! Thanks so much for taking the time to read our blog, we really appreciate it!