In the dog days of summer, it’s important to consider the comfort of our beloved furry friends. My St. Bernard is great at reminding me of this fact. Wanting to give my spoiled boy anything that made him happy, I decided to try ready-made puppy ice cream that I found at the grocery store. The ice cream was a hit, but between the hefty price tag and knowing it wasn’t the most healthful option to cool him down, it wasn’t a sustainable option for my household. I knew I could make frozen dog treats that were just as refreshing and also contained ingredients that would support my dog’s overall wellbeing.
What I love about these recipes is that you can use them to hide herbs and other beneficial ingredients that your dog may not otherwise be willing to take. Miss Lillie, pictured here, loves these two recipes the best! If you’re wanting to discover herbs that can safely be enjoyed by your canine companion, I recommend Herbal Dog Care by Randy Kidd*!
Puppy Pops for Fresh Breath
Makes about 1 cup.
Ingredients
- 1 medium organic carrot
- 1/3 cup pure, filtered water
- 1/3 cup organic yogurt
- 1/4 teaspoon organic peppermint leaf*
Directions
Combine carrot and water in a blender or food processor and blend until mostly smooth. Add yogurt and peppermint leaf and blend on lowest setting until thoroughly incorporated and smooth. Pour into molds of your choice and freeze.
Banana-Basil “Pupsicles” with Watermelon
Makes about 1 cup.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pureed organic watermelon (deseeded)
- 2 organic bananas
- Pure, filtered water
- 1/4 teaspoon organic basil leaf*
Directions
Puree watermelon in a blender or food processor and set to the side. Blend bananas with a splash of water. Pour banana puree in molds, filling halfway. Add a sprinkle of basil leaf to each mold and stir. Gently spoon watermelon on top to achieve two-tone effect, then freeze.
Pro tips
- Some dogs are pickier than others. If your canine companion is more of a puritan, you can try infusing herbs into a tea and then replace some or all of the water with tea.
- These can also be made into ice cubes for smaller dogs.
- Putting the banana on the bottom will prevent it from oxidizing and turning brown in the freezer.
- If you decide to choose tree sticks for your popsicle sticks, be sure that the species of tree is not toxic to dogs. If you do not wish your dogs to chew on sticks, you can always make these into cubes for them.
*These items can be found at the Mountain Rose Herbs Mercantile.
Mountain Rose Herbs | 152 W 5th Ave. #3 | 541/868-8420
