July 23, 2015

We love our pets here at Design Pool & Spa and want to be sure they’re kept cool and safe during these warm summer days.   Our dog, MacKenzie, always loves a quick dip in the pool. But, we make sure to keep her off the pool deck and in the shade, with plenty of fresh water available.

As a special treat, we also give her homemade Peanut Butter Popsicles! The recipe comes from the Humane Society, and is simple to make. We thought it would be fun to share the recipe with you, too (below). Or, click here for the full article from the Humane Society.  Enjoy!

 

How to make peanut butter popsicles

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter, preferably unsalted and unsweetened (Check your peanut butter’s label to make sure it doesn’t contain any kind of xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.)

Half a ripe banana, mashed

Water as needed

In a small mixing bowl, combine peanut butter with a little water or half a mashed banana. (The water and banana aren’t essential, but they help with freezing consistency.)

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, or use Kong-style rubber toys that have a cavity you can fill.

Spoon the mixture onto the tray just like you would cookie dough, or stuff it into the toys. Freeze the tray or toys for several hours or overnight. If you need to reuse the tray right away, pop out the cubes and store them in a bag or container in the freezer.

Serve, and turn any hot dog into a happy camper.

Tips

  • Pet popsicles can be made out of all kinds of things your dog (or cats) eat normally, so experiment to see what your dog likes best.
  • The frozen Kong-style toys make a great cool-down treat for when you will be away for a few hours.
  • Try treats suspended in water, watered down wet food and favorite frozen veggies.
  • Avoid: onions and onion powder, grapes and raisins, salt, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, potatoes, rhubarb leaves and stems, avocados and anything else on this list.