Summertime is officially here! There’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer day than with a delicious cold snack, like ice cream. Of course, if there’s one thing our canine buddies unanimously love, it’s snacks. Why not make your pet some cool treats of his own? Here, a local Los Gatos, CA vet lists some great summer snacks for Fido.

Doggy Ice Cream

To make ice cream for your pooch, start by mixing plain yogurt with ripe bananas, natural peanut butter, pureed pumpkin, or sodium-free broth.

Cheeseburger Snaps

Cook some plain ground hamburger or turkey. Once it’s cooked, add some water to thin it out. You can also add bacon bits, cheese, or egg.

PB/Banana Yums

Mix natural peanut butter with some ripe bananas, then divide into small parts and freeze.

Chicken Bites

Get some shredded chicken, and pour some sodium-free chicken broth over it. You can add dog-safe veggies, like carrots and peas.

Pupsicles

Put chew sticks or doggy treats into small paper cups. Then, pour sodium-free beef broth into them, and freeze.

Apple Snacks

Pour sodium-free chicken broth over apple slices. (Tip: make sure there are no seeds attached.) You can also add bacon bits if you like.

Tuna Bites

This one is also safe for kitties! Combine undrained tuna in water with plain yogurt and parsley.

Making Fido’s Snacks

All of the recipes above can easily be divided into small portions before freezing. You can use an ice cube tray, wax paper cups, or even get a cute pet-specific mold, like a bone. Dole out just one or two at a time on hot days for instant tail wags. You can also add different extras to suit your pet’s tastes. Some good options are bacon bits, cheese, shredded meat, eggs, doggy-safe fruits and veggies, and/or bits of kibble.

Choosing Safe Foods

When cooking for Fido, experiment a bit, and see what your canine pal likes best. Just be sure to only give your pet safe, suitable foods. Some of the things to avoid include garlic, onions, and chives; grapes, currants, and raisins; pitted fruits; avocados; meat on the bone; chocolate; caffeine; fried or fatty foods; and products containing xylitol. Ask your vet for more information.

Please feel free to contact us, your Los Gatos, CA animal clinic, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!