Popsicles are one of the most refreshing things you can eat on a hot summer day, and guess what- your pup definitely agrees! While human popsicles are packed with sugar and not so safe for our four-legged friends, homemade dog popsicles are the perfect treat to help your pup cool down this summer. Made with only a few healthy, everyday ingredients, pupsicles are a safe frozen treat your dog will love. Take a look at our favourite recipes and tips for making homemade dog popsicles!
5 Tips for Making Homemade Dog Popsicles
1. Use Silicone Dog Bone Moulds
Of course you can use typical popsicle moulds for your dog popsicles, but if you want to make the frozen treats even more special for your pup, opt for silicone dog bone moulds. Flexible and easy to peel, you can make pupsicles that are the perfect shape for your dog!
2. An Ice Tray Works Just Fine
If you don’t have popsicle moulds at home, don’t fret- you can use an ice cube tray instead! Ice cube tray popsicles may actually be better if you have a smaller dog. The smaller popsicle will make it easier for them to eat.
3. Opt for Healthy Ingredients
The great thing about homemade dog popsicles is that you can choose the ingredients that go into them. Most recipes are made with ingredients most of us typically have on hand, such as bananas, berries, Greek yogurt and peanut butter. These are healthy foods for your dog, so you can feel good about feeding them these healthy treats.
4. You’ll Need a Blender
In order to fill the popsicle moulds or ice cube tray, you’ll need to blend your ingredients into a liquid consistency. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until it reaches a smoothie-like texture. This will make it easy to pour or spoon into your moulds.
5. Use Dog Treats as the Popsicle “Sticks”
Why not give your dog another treat while you’re at it? Once the mixture is in the moulds, place it in the freezer. Freeze for 30 minutes, then put the dog treats into each mould and pop back into the freezer until solid (around 6 hours). This way, once your pup is finished with the popsicle, they can enjoy the biscuit as well! These sweet potato treats are all natural with no artificial ingredients, fillers or preservatives. They support a balanced nutrition and your pup is sure to love them!
4 Foods to Avoid When Making Homemade Dog Popsicles
1. Chocolate
Chocolate may be delicious for humans, but it’s quite toxic to dogs. It contains a stimulant called theobromine (dark chocolate has the highest theobromine content), which is poisonous for dogs and can cause kidney failure.
2. Avocado
Avocados are another toxic food for dogs. Avocado plants contain a substance called persin in its leaves, fruit and seeds which can cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.
3. Grapes and Raisins
Stay away from feeding your dog grapes and raisins as they can lead to severe liver damage and kidney failure. The active ingredient that causes the toxin is unknown, but it’s best to keep them a good distance from your pup.
4. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are another definite no-no for your pupsicles. Just six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog sick with symptoms such as muscle shakes, vomiting, high temperature and weakness in their back legs.
40 Homemade Dog Popsicles Your Pup Will Love
1. Peanut Butter Berry Pops | A Cultivated Nest
2. Watermelon Dog Treat Popsicles | Barefeet in the Kitchen
3. 3-Ingredient Frozen Dog Treats | Damn Delicious
4. Watermelon Carrot Pupsicles | Peel with Zeal
5. Strawberry Banana Dog Popsicles | Cook It Real Good
6. Peanut Butter Banana Pupsicles | The Nutrition Junky
7. 2-Ingredient Frozen Dog Treats | AB Crafty
8. Frozen Yogurt Popsicles for Dogs | Aimee Broussard
9. Watermelon Mint Dog Popsicles | Daily Paws
10. Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Puppy Popsicles | The Starving Chef
11. Peanut Butter Banana Pumpkin Dog Popsicles | The Creek Line House
12. Cantaloupe and Yogurt Pusicles | House That Barks
13. Banana and Blueberry Pupsicle | The Produce Moms
14. Easy Peanut Butter “Pupsicle” Frozen Dog Treats | Jen Elizabeth’s Journal
15. Strawberry Yogurt Frozen Dog Treats | It’s a Vizsla
16. Pumpkin Chicken Jerky Pupsicles | My Modern Cookery
17. Blueberry Pupsicles | Tutor Your Dog
18. Creamy Peanut Butter Pupsicles | Vegetarian Ventures
19. Chicken Brothsicle Dog Treat | Dog Tipper
20. Fall Pupsicles with Apples and Cinnamon | Rockstar Doggy Mama
21. Pineapple Pupsicles | Belly Full
22. Dog Watermelon Popsicles | Something’s Cooking
23. Tropical Pupsicles | Pet Coupon Savings
24. 4-Ingredient Yogurt Pupsicles | Etsy
25. Banana, Peanut Butter, Carrot and Bacon Pupsicles | Use Real Butter
26. Creamy Banana Pup Pops | Bitz and Giggles
27. Peanut Butter and Blueberry Gourmet Pupsicles | Wear, Wag, Repeat
28. Frozen Pumpkin and Banana Pup Pops | Dog Vills
29. Peanut Butter, Banana, Yogurt and Honey Pupsicles | The Sits Girls
30. Frozen Strawberry and Banana Smoothie Dog Treats | The Cottage Market
31. Apple and Chicken Pup Pops | Frugal Coupon Living
32. Carob Fudgsicles for Dogs | Long Haul Trekkers
33. Dairy-Free Frozen Dog Treats | Making Thyme for Health
34. Frozen Fruit Dog Treats | Pet Health Zone
35. Peanut Butter and Jam Freezies for Dogs | Pawsh Magazine
36. Yogurt Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats | Cooking with Janica
37. Strawberry Frozen Dog Treats | The Slow Roasted Italian
38. Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Treats for Dogs | The Happiness in Health
39. Yogurt and Berries Frozen Dog Treats | Bigger Bolder Baking
40. Frozen Apple Carrot Cubes | Vegetarian Mama
If you’re looking to treat your dog during the summer months, these easy and healthy pupsicles are all you need!