How to Make Popsicles for Dogs

4 minutes

Popsicles are an ideal way to keep your dog hydrated during the hot summer months, but you have to be very careful and make sure to avoid feeding your pet ingredients that can make him sick. Sugar, chocolate and coffee, for example, are all toxic to dogs.

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 21 December, 2022

Our pets’ bodies lose a lot of water during the summer. This is precisely why we have to make sure they’re properly hydrated, even if summer is approaching. An excellent way to go about this is by preparing delicious and refreshing popsicles for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Popsicles?

All dogs can enjoy a delicious popsicle on a warm summer day. However, when preparing popsicles for dogs, you must avoid adding ingredients that are unhealthy. That’s why these recipes don’t contain any chocolate, coffee, sugar or artificial sweeteners. The idea is to make healthy popsicles for dogs using fruits that are good for them such as strawberries, apples, pears, peaches and blueberries.

You can also learn how to make practical and delicious savory popsicles that will provide your dog with lean, good quality protein.

Also, since many adult dogs are lactose intolerant, all of these popsicle recipes are free of dairy products. So, in order to get that signature creamy texture, you can use vegetable milk (like rice milk) or low lactose, natural yogurts.

Another excellent ingredient for making highly nutritious popsicles for dogs is kefir. This natural probiotic stimulates intestinal transit, strengthens the immune system and prevents a plethora of diseases. Therefore, incorporating it as a natural supplement in your dog’s diet can be very beneficial. However, you should always check with your veterinarian and make these types of adjustments under their guidance.

Here are four popsicle recipes for dogs that are highly nutritious and easy-to-make.

Tutti-Frutti Popsicles for Dogs

This ice cream recipe is ideal for combining all of the flavors and properties of two or more fruits that are healthy to dogs. For example, you can use bananas, apples and strawberries in this recipe to provide a source of high-quality fiber and vitamins.

Ingredients:

Half a banana cut into medium slices
Half an apple cut into slices, without seeds.
Two medium strawberries
½ cup of rice milk (dairy-free)
Pinch of ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Start by mashing the banana slices, apple slices and strawberries. Then, add the rice milk to the fruit.
Next, add a pinch of cinnamon and mix gently.
Then, pour the mixture into the popsicle mold. Immediately cover the mold with paper or plastic wrap to avoid contamination.
If you would like, you can also use popsicle sticks. Poke a small hole in the plastic wrap cover above each popsicle mold, and put one popsicle stick in each hole. This way, you can feed the popsicles to your dog without getting your hands all messy.
Finally, put the mold in the freezer, wait for them to harden and them serve.

Quick and Easy-to-Make Apple Popsicles

This popsicle recipe is perfect for when you are running short of time, but still want to make your dog a tasty summer treat. They only contain two ingredients, and are made in ice cube trays.

Since these popsicles are made up entirely of apples and water, they are dairy-free and good for dogs that are lactose intolerant.

Ingredients:

1 medium apple cut into slices, without seeds.
½ cup of room temperature water

Instructions:

To make these popsicles for dogs, crush up the apple slices (without seeds) in the water.
Then, pour the mixture into the ice cube tray and place in the freezer.
Once the mixture has hardened, feed your dog two or three cubes. Adjust the serving size to your dog’s age and weight.

Savory Chicken, Potato and Carrot Popsicles for Dogs

These savory popsicles for dogs are delicious and contain a good amount of protein, minerals, and vitamins. They take a little bit longer to make than the previous recipes, but your pet is bound to love them. This recipe is also dairy-free, but it should not be fed to dogs that are allergic to chicken.

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast or 1 chicken thigh
1 carrot
1 medium potato
½ tablespoon of olive oil (optional)
Water (however much you need)

Instructions:

First, place the chicken, carrot and potato in a pan with enough water to cover the vegetable, and boil them. Once the ingredients are well-cooked, take them off the heat and allow them to cool down.
Second, mash up the ingredients, using a little bit of the broth from the vegetables and meat. Do this until you get a creamy consistency. If you would like to add olive oil, go ahead and mix it in.
Last, pour the mixture into a popsicle mold or an ice tray, and place it in the freezer.
Once the popsicles are ready to eat, serve them to your furry friends and enjoy the show!