Home-made Summer Treats
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian,
Nothing says Summer quite like hot, sunny days and delicious cooling treats. So why should our pet's miss out on all the fun?
Spoiling your pet at home this Summer is easy with these home-made recipes. Veterinary formulated, these treats are not only healthy, delicious and free from any nasties, but contain ingredients which are 100% safe for your pet.
Why not try the Bone Broth Sorbet, Berry Yoghurt Pupsicles, Tuna Kitty Cubes or Purr-fect Cat Popsicles, to keep your fur baby cool and hydrated during the hot Summer days. The Frozen KONG Stuffers are a great way to keep your pet occupied while the 3 Ingredient Home-made Cookies make a delicious, healthy treat.
3 Ingredient Home-made Cookies
Bone Broth Sorbet
Image courtesy @lickimat
Bone broth is rich in nutrients and has many benefits. Not only does it provide a collagen-rich source of omega fatty acids and protein, but it also supplies a natural source of beneficial bacteria to nourish gut microflora. Discover the benefits for your pet with this delicious, cooling treat.
Products such as Lickimat are designed to keep your pet stimulated and entertained, reducing boredom and anxiety as well as slowing those that eat too quickly. The flexible mat design and raised grooves allow food to be spread or sprinkled on the surface and encourage licking to retrieve the tasty treat, all while releasing relaxing endorphins.
Bone Broth Sorbet
Ingredients
- Lickimat
- Instinctive Bite Bone Broth Liquid Concentrate
- 150mL warm water
Method
- Add 2 grams of Bone Broth Concentrate to 150mL of warm water and mix to combine
- Pour onto a Lickimat and freeze until solid
Suitable For:
- Cats
- Dogs
More Summer Lickimat Ideas:
- Mimi and Munch Turmeric Bambis Butter, Doggylicious Peanut Butter or Natural Peanut butter- Ensure it is Xylitol Free
- Pumpkin, Sweet Potato or Apple Puree- Why not mix them together and try different combinations
- Canned fish (salmon, tuna or sardines)
- Natural Yoghurt
- Pastes such as KONG paste for dogs or Dine Creamy Treats for cats
- Wet food options such as Royal Canin Wet Food, Wellness Core Wet Food or Ziwi Wet Food
- Sprinkle with Dog or Cat Treats
*freeze for a cooling, long-lasting treat
Berry Yoghurt Pupsicles
Packed full of anti-oxidants and calcium, these healthy home-made Pupsicles make the perfect cooling treat for a hot Summer's day. You can even try them yourself!
Berry Yoghurt Pupsicles
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of strawberries
- 1/4 cup of blueberries
- 1/2 cup unsweetened yoghurt
- Doggytopia Bone Silicone Moulds
Method
- Puree the strawberries and blueberries in a blender until combined
- Add yoghurt and blend until combined
- Spoon into silicone bone mould and freeze until solid
Suitable For:
- Dogs
Tuna Kitty Cubes
Looking for a Summer treat to keep your cat cool and hydrated? Try these easy to make kitty popsicles. Not only are they delicious and cooling on hot summer days, but are a great way to encourage your cat to stay hydrated and consume more water during the warmer months.
Tuna Kitty Cubes
Ingredients
- 1 tin tuna, in springwater, undrained
- water for blending
- 1 ice cube tray
Method
- Add undrained tuna to a blender and mix with enough water for a watery consistency
- Add to an ice cube tray and freeze until solid
Suitable For:
- Cats
3 Ingredient Home-made Cookies
Spoil your dog with these easy to make cookies using only 3 ingredients! Healthy, with no hidden nasties, these cookies are quick and easy to make at home and are the perfect treat for your dog!
Homemade Oat, Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cooked sweet potato, pureed
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol free)
- bone-shaped cookie cutter
Method
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees
- Add oats to a food processor and blend into a fine powder
- Add sweet potato and peanut butter and blend until a sticky dough forms
- Place between 2 pieces of baking paper or on a lightly floured surface, and roll out to 3mm in thickness
- Cut out shapes using a bone-shaped cookie cutter
- Place on prepared baking tray and bake for 20-30 minutes until hard and brown on the edges
- * ensure treats are cooled before serving
Suitable For:
- Dogs
Frozen KONG Stuffers
KONGs are a great way to keep dogs entertained and your pet will love these super simple home-made Frozen KONG Stuffer recipes. Full of healthy, natural ingredients and packed full of goodness, these recipes can be frozen ahead of time for a delicious, healthy Summer treat.
Candy Corn
Ingredients
- KONG classic
- 1 cup mashed banana
- 1 cup mashed pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup plain yoghurt
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
Method
- Spoon small amount of banana into silicone mould tray
- Mix cinnamon with pumpkin and spoon small amount on top of banana layer, into silicone mould tray
- Mix maple syrup with yoghurt and fill the remainder of the silicone mould tray
- Freeze for 1-2 hours. Stuff KONG with candy corn treats!
- *Tip: Freeze each layer for about 20 minutes to prevent the layers from mixing
Suitable For:
- Dogs
Cube Chillerz
Ingredients
- KONG classic
- 12 small KONG biscuit treats
- 1 sliced banana
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 cup water
Method
- Place ingredients into ice cube tray and freeze until solid
- Place the frozen cube into the KONG Classic!
Suitable For:
- Dogs
*recipes care of the KONG company website
Other great KONG stuffing ideas:
Purr-fect Cat Popsicles
These Cat Popsicles and so quick and easy to make and are the perfect, delicious, cooling treat for your cat. Just make sure you watch your fingers!
Quick and Easy Catsicles
Ingredients
- Churu Liquid Treats or any brand of Liquid Cat Treat
Method
- Place the liquid treat in the freezer until solid
- Cut off the top and serve as a popsicle or cut into pieces and place in a bowl
Suitable For:
- Cats
*These recipes and treats are not complete and balanced and are not designed to replace your pet's regular diet. Treats should only be fed in conjunction with a complete and balanced diet. For more information on what diet to feed your pet please contact our vet Discover Page. Check with your vet first to ensure that these treats are suitable for your pet.
Further Reading
What is the best treat for your dog?
Premium pet food: Is it worth it?
Your guide to fleas, ticks and worms
Shop All Dog and Cat Products Now
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.