We are in the hottest part of summer – mid August – for Texas and other heat prone states. Humans feel the discomfort of the heat, and so do our pets. Dog’s average body heat ranges between 101 and 102.5, while cats average 100.4 and 102.5. Therefore, our pets typically run warmer than humans do. We’ve found some fun ways for cold and healthy treats for your pets to help with the final dog days of summer!
Ice Cube Treats
As humans, ice cubes simply keep our drinks cool. Nonetheless, they can be an abundance of entertainment for cats and somewhat for dogs as they enjoy a cool treat.
For Cats
- Place plain ice cubes on a plate. They will sniff, lick, swat and chase the cubes around the floor. It will leave a small water trail to clean up, but the fun is worth it!
- For more “cube” excitement, add tuna juice to the water prior to freezing. This will attract any cat to some cube fun!
- To step it up more, only add half the water to the ice tray and freeze, then add one of their favorite treats, more water and freeze. Watch their excitement when they make it to the treasure!
For Dogs
- Place a plain ice cube in their mouth as a treat, or on the floor. They will have fun chasing it and eventually chomping the cool ice.
- Add some cube excitement by making it with a low sodium beef or chicken broth. This will provide delicious, cold and healthy treats for your pets.
- To step it up, you may also only add half the water to the ice tray and freeze. Then add a blueberry or a cut piece of carrot, fill with water, then freeze. Your pup can find their treasure as they chomp through the cube.
Cool Fruits and Veggies
Produce that may be kept in the refrigerator which are safe for dogs as a cool midday treat include:
- Carrots
- Peas
- Green Beans
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
Produce that are safe and refreshing for cats, just keep in mind to cut food for our feline friends into small pieces to avoid choking hazards:
- Cantaloupe
- Bananas
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Peas
- Carrots
Yogurt Based Treats
While humans get to enjoy ice cream on a hot day, our pet’s systems cannot handle the sugar and the cream. However, they can enjoy other ways of having a creamy ice treat. Cats and dogs usually tolerate yogurt well. If not, cottage cheese is easier on their systems and a suitable alternative. Yogurt provides live cultures good for their digestive systems, just like in people. However, when using yogurt, stay with the high quality, plain with no flavor and little to no sugar added. Be very careful of a dangerous ingredient to animals called Xylitol, an artificial sweetener.
For Cats
- Serve by itself with one spoonful (only three/day) with their meal on the side as a wonderful cool appetizer, or mixed in with their food. If it is too tart for the cat, or if a diarrhea reaction occurs, discontinue using yogurt.
- Mix it with some of their canned food and blend with ice cubes and a little water. Then freeze in small containers and dump into a bowl, giving them a nice cool dinner when none of us feel like eating from the heat.
- Cottage cheese is lower in lactose than yogurt and a substantial source of protein. Place a dab on their plate as an appetizer – they’ll rarely turn it down!
For Dogs
- Blend with one item on the list of safe fruits for dogs, along with a little peanut butter, low in sugar and with no artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol. Freeze in small containers. You will enter hero status with your pup for these frozen treats!
- If your dog’s system is too sensitive to the yogurt, try using the cottage cheese as a replacement, as previously mentioned, it is lower in lactose.
Humans and pets alike find discomfort in this squelching heat. Although our pets can’t have the same cool treats that we can, there are alternatives as listed above. Some of which can be fun for a feline’s playtime! Stay safe and we hope you will get rave reviews with these cold and healthy treats for your pets!