5 Healthy Pupsicle Treats Your Dog Will Love —and Easy To Whip Up With Minimal Prep

Looking for a fun way to spoil Spot on a warm day or just need an easy way to keep him busy and distracted while you’re trying to relax or tend to to-dos? Then a pupsicle may just be the perfect treat for you both! Luckily, they’re easy to make, healthy for your pup and don’t take a lot of time, effort or money to make.

What is a pupsicle?

The delicious and entertaining treat is made using dog-friendly ingredients that are then frozen in some sort of mold, similar to how popsicles are made for humans. They create a refreshing treat for dogs to lick and chew on. “They’re easy to assemble and a great alternative to a standard bone, with added nutritional benefits depending on your pet and your chosen ingredients,” shares Kate Jaffe, trends expert at Rover. “Plus, in the warm summer months, they serve as a nice way to cool off.”

Plus, when your dog is feeling a bit bored or restless, having a treat that can take a while to enjoy will keep them preoccupied as they lick away to savor the flavors or when a toy is added to the mix, to suss it out.

The best ingredients for pupsicles

When it comes to ingredients, there are a number of dog-friendly items you can include that will certainly be a hit with your pup. “Peanut butter is a fan-favorite, but you can use your pet’s regular canned wet food, plain yogurt or pet-safe fruit,” adds Jaffe. (Click through to discover what ingredients are safe for your dog: Vets Weigh In On What ‘People Food’ Is Safe To Feed Your Dog — And Their Answers May Surprise You!)

As far as peanut butter goes, make sure you’re using an option that’s safe for your pet. Check the ingredients and ensure there’s no birch sugar and no xylitol (an artificial sweeteners that are poisonous for dogs).” You can also add their favorite treats, low-sodium chicken or beef broth and pet-safe toys.

Best of all? You don’t have to shell out for pricey frozen treats from the store. You can make your dog’s day for less by surprising him or her with one of these easy-to-make pupsicle recipes below:

Minty pupsicle treats

Your pup will love the taste of these treats, and you’ll love how the herbs freshen his breath.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. container of plain yogurt
• ½ tsp. chopped mint
• ½ tsp. chopped parsley
• 1 Tbs. honey

In a bowl, mix yogurt, mint and parsley and honey. Then pour mix evenly among the compartments of an ice cube tray and place one dog treat bone in the center of each. Freeze for a few hours until solid.

Fro-Yo pupsicle with pretzel sticks

Dogs won’t be able to resist the fresh fruit in this tasty pupsicle, courtesy of Rover.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped strawberries
• ½ cup blueberries
•  Half a banana (thinly sliced)
• 1 cup of plain yogurt

Mix fruit and yogurt together. Add half a pretzel stick to each well of a popsicle mold tray. Pour mixture into each well. Freeze for at least 4 hours. (Click through for more on how blueberries help boost your pal’s immunity: Can Dogs Eat Raw Carrots? Vets Reveal the Fruits and Veggies That Are Good for Pups)

Broth + rawhide pupsicles

Meaty broth is the star of this simple treat!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of low-salt beef or chicken broth
• 2-3 cup of water
• 3 small rawhide sticks

Mix broth with water and pour into a popsicle mold or 3 small paper cups. Stick them in the freezer for an hour, then place a small raw- hide stick in the center of each cup and return to the freezer. Once solid, remove from the mold (or peel away the paper cup) and serve! 

Peanut butter-packed pupsicle

Buster will go crazy for this peanut butter pupsicle, courtesy of veterinarian Gary Weitzman, author of the Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior and Happiness. “Feed your pups and watch their excitement!”

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. of plain yogurt
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/3 cup of peanut butter (without xylitol)

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the blended mixture into an ice tray or silicone mold and place in the freezer for a few hours to harden.

Surprise-inside pupsicle

Princess will be happily occupied for hours as she gnaws away at the treat looking for goodies (Just be sure to monitor her while she’s enjoying).

Ingredients:

• A clean gallon-size ice-cream tub or rubber bucket
• Toys (like chew ropes or rubber dog toys)
• Treats (like chunks of cut-up carrots or cheese)

Fill the tub or rubber bucket with water, then place a variety of toys and treats in the water and freeze. Once frozen, slide the ice block out of the bucket (you may need to let it thaw a little first) and present it to your pup.

This article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.

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Click through for more ways to entertain your dog:

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