Puppy Pops: How to Make Nutrient-Packed Dog Treats in Less Than 5 Minutes
When it’s hot outside, nothing tastes better than a frozen treat. But for our dogs, it’s important that treats aren't laden with unhealthy (or unnecessary) ingredients that can upset their stomach or worse. That’s why I make my own homemade treats. I call them puppy pops — a cool, delicious frozen treat perfect for dogs.
As a canine nutritionist, I know that what my dogs eat directly impacts their health, happiness and quality of life. Therefore, I select minimally processed, organic ingredients in all my recipes. Why organic? Choosing organic fruits and veggies reduces exposure to toxins like glyphosate, while choosing organic meat, poultry and dairy reduces exposure to antibiotics and growth hormones fed to those animals. All toxins our pup’s bodies are infinitely healthier without.
Puppy pops are a simple, three-ingredient treat that you can whip up at home in 5 minutes or less, and that your dog(s) will absolutely love. They’re not only packed with probiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants for your pup, but they provide extra hydration, too. All you need is a blender, glass containers or ice cube trays, and a freezer!
What’s in a Puppy Pop, and Why
To get started making Puppy Pops, you will need three ingredients: Organic Greek yogurt, organic cucumbers, and organic blueberries.
The organic Greek yogurt is the base for our frozen treat and provides beneficial bacteria for a healthy gut.
The organic cucumber is high in potassium and vitamin C. Potassium is one of the most important minerals for a dog’s body. It helps with fluid balance, muscle contraction and nerve signals, so it’s a great nutrient to include in our recipe. Cucumber also aids in hydration— the high water content in cucumber is an easy way to get some extra water in your dog’s body during these hot summer months.
Blueberries are one of the most potent, nutrient-dense berries, which is why they’re considered a superfood. Rich in phytonutrients and phytoflavinoids, blueberries are high in antioxidants and pack a nutritional punch.
Once you have your three ingredients assembled, add them to a blender or food processor and whirl until smooth. It’s that simple!
Once you have a smooth mixture, it’s time to freeze your pops. I love using a glass Pyrex dish — it’s sustainable and I don’t have to worry about any chemicals leaching into the food.
Pour the yogurt-cucumber-blueberry mixture into individual containers or ice cube trays and that’s it. Place them in the freezer for at least four hours until firm. If you pour your mixture into a bigger container, you can slice into 8-10 squares or servings once frozen. Store the leftovers in a freezer-safe container or BPA-free sealable bag.
Feel free to give a Puppy Pop to your dog every day, and enjoy! For more tips and how-to’s, watch the video.
Recipe: Puppy Pops
Whip up a batch of these fast and easy frozen pops for a cool, and hydrating, summertime treat packed with probiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants for your pup.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups organic unflavored, unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 2 cups organic cucumber
- 1/2 cup organic blueberries (raspberries or strawberries make a fine substitute)
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. Divide mixture evenly into an ice cube tray or small Pyrex bowls and freeze. Pop one out for your pup, and enjoy! Makes 8-10 servings approximately ½-¾ cup each.
Johnna Devereaux is a Clinical Pet Nutritionist and canine wellness expert. She is the Director of Nutrition and Wellness for Bow Wow Labs and sits on their Board of Advisors.
The points of view expressed above are those of our clinical nutritionist and supported by science, her education and experience. However, we recognize there may be different points of view or opinions on some aspect or even the premise of this article. Our goal at Bow Wow Labs is to provide the best, clearest, and most helpful information possible to help keep your dog happy, healthy and safe.
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