On hot summer days, your dog will appreciate a popsicle as a frozen treat. Just be sure to monitor the ingredients. You have complete control over what goes into your dog’s homemade popsicles, so they’ll be healthy, hydrating, and safe.
Can Dogs Eat Popsicles?
Popsicles are safe for dogs to eat, but only if you monitor the ingredients closely. Dog owners should give their pets only homemade or dog-specific popsicles, not those intended for human consumption.
In the heat of summer, your dog may enjoy a healthy popsicle treat. In addition to delivering food and water, they can also help with hydration and ward off heat exhaustion. You can give your dog a few licks of the popsicles if you know they are free of harmful ingredients.
Your furry friend can enjoy treats like frozen popsicles made of ripe banana purée mixed with plain Greek yogurt and water. However, your pet probably shouldn’t eat a popsicle made with artificial sweeteners, frozen yogurt, or ice cream.
Is it Safe to Give your Dog Popsicles?
The quick answer is “yes,” but not all popsicles and frozen treats are safe for canines. It’s crucial to know your dog’s intolerances and allergies in addition to the food’s ingredients before feeding it to him.
You should always give your dog a small amount of a new food at a time to see if there is any reaction or digestive issues.
Instead of giving your dog a bite of your popsicle, you should make him or her some of his or her own using healthy foods like apples or bananas.
When it comes to food, as with most things, moderation is the key. Canine obesity, even when combined with a healthy diet, can have serious health consequences, especially for dogs that are predisposed to developing joint problems like hip dysplasia.
Ingredients to Avoid in Popsicles for Dogs
Feeding your dog a popsicle should be done as a special treat and not as a way to force your pet to make an emergency trip to the vet. Do not give your dog a popsicle that contains any of the following:
Popsicles for dogs should be low in natural sugars and free of artificial sweeteners and other additives. Popsicles without added sugar are more likely to have these kinds of sweeteners. One of the most dangerous is xylitol, a sugar alcohol that can be fatal to dogs.
Chocolate: Canine gastrointestinal tract damage, heart problems, and even seizures have all been linked to the theobromine found in chocolate. Popsicles made with cocoa should never be given to dogs.
Small amounts of dairy can be consumed by your dog without any ill effects; however, pet owners should still use caution when feeding their dogs dairy products. Inquire with your vet about whether or not your dog is lactose intolerant.
If you must choose between plain yogurt and ice cream as the popsicle base, go with the yogurt. Most dogs will experience stomach problems if you give them even a moderate amount of dairy, so use caution.
Potential Popsicle Health Concerns
Ice cream and frozen yogurt are common ingredients in commercially produced popsicles. Gas, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and vomiting are all symptoms that can occur if even a small amount of these is consumed.
It’s been found that many canines have trouble digesting milk and other dairy products because they are lactose intolerant.
Popsicles made for humans often contain harmful ingredients like artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, and raisins. Dogs should never consume xylitol or raisins, as even trace amounts can be fatal.
The theobromine in chocolate, which is found in some popsicles, is also toxic to dogs.
Even a small amount of dark, high-cocoa-content chocolate in a popsicle or ice cream could be harmful. Problems with the dog’s digestive system, central nervous system, or heart are possible.
In addition to being a problem for dogs with diabetes, canine obesity is a problem regardless of whether or not the sugar, artificial flavors, or sweeteners typically found in popsicles are toxic.
Benefits of Dog-Friendly Popsicles For Your Pooch
Feeding your dog a healthy frozen treat is a great way to keep them cool on warm days, and it can also be used as a special reward or for the purpose of enrichment.
Offering your dog enrichment is an important part of providing for their health and happiness. When you keep your dog active and engaged, you reduce the risk of behavioral issues, as well as the risks of boredom and obesity, anxiety, stress, and giving your dog a sense of control over their environment.
Many food puzzles can be frozen to increase the difficulty and provide a long-lasting dog treat, making them a great option for providing enrichment for your dog.
Healthy Frozen Treat Ideas For Your Dog
Listed below are some tried-and-true recipes for homemade popsicles and other healthy frozen treats.
Frozen Kongs, Toppl Toys or Similar
You can keep any dog occupied for hours with a Classic Kong or a West Paw Toppl as long as you fill them with enough treats or food.
Both of these toys are hollow, rubbery, non-toxic, and safe for the dishwasher. You can also try one of the many other food puzzles available today. When filled with dog food, they give Fido something nutritious to gnaw on and lick.
After stuffing, you can freeze them to increase their difficulty for your dog and make them a refreshing treat. For your dog’s amusement, you can stuff these toys with a variety of healthy and safe materials. The following are some suggestions:
- Smashed Banana
- Pumpkin puree from a can (no more than one tablespoon per serving, as more than that can cause diarrhea).
- The availability of both canned and dry kibble for dogs
- Spread some peanut butter on your toast (xylitol-free varieties only, please)
- Carrots, peas, and/or apple chunks.
- Unflavored Yogurt
- Dog food
Fill the treat toy with the mixture, seal the top with peanut butter, squeeze cheese, or Kong paste, and place it in the freezer for at least two hours and preferably overnight before serving.
They can be stored in the freezer for later use, which is a huge plus.
Giving your dog a frozen Kong to enjoy in his or her safe space is one option for keeping them calm while people are working in your home. This will give them something to do, which will reduce their anxiety and keep them occupied.
Frozen Dog-Safe Vegetables and Fruit
Safe fruits and vegetables that can be frozen and given to your dog as a quick treat include green beans, banana chunks, strawberries, blueberries, and peach chunks.
Be wary of xylitol by checking labels before buying pre-packaged frozen foods from the supermarket. You can also make homemade popsicles out of them by blending them into a smoothie and then freezing the mixture.
Tossing your dog some frozen treats is just one of many options for keeping them cool. Just make sure it’s safe and suitable for canines, that it’s fed in moderation, and that it’s introduced gradually.
To avoid nutritional imbalance, dietary changes should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake.
Tips for Preparing Popsicles for Dogs
When giving your dog a popsicle as a frozen treat, it’s important to follow specific guidelines to ensure the treat is safe. Five broad rules to keep in mind are as follows:
1.Inquire with your veterinarian. Inquire with your vet first to see if there are any known issues with the new food (such as the flavor profile or ingredients) before introducing it to your dog.
Allergens, toxins, and other potentially problematic ingredients have no place in any summertime treat you give your companion. Your veterinarian will be able to help you with both broad and narrow identification.
2.Don’t overindulge your dog with food. Keep in mind that popsicles aren’t actually food for your dog, but rather a treat. Over time, a dog that regularly consumes large quantities of popsicles may develop an obesity problem.
Your dog should only be fed in manageable pieces at one time. Smaller dogs, in particular, should not be exposed to a choking hazard from eating large chunks.
3.Just keep the popsicle stick in your hand. Keep the popsicle stick in your hand as your dog licks the entire ice pop rather than slicing it into pieces if the frozen treat comes with one. You’ll have more say over how much of them you use this way.
For homemade dog popsicles, you can either use small sticks and freeze them in an ice cube tray or silicone mold, or you can omit the sticks entirely.
4.Find dog popsicles, or something similar. Popsicles made specifically for dogs are available if you’d rather buy them than make them at home.
Some of them may even have the word “pupsicles” on the label; these variants are made with simple ingredients that help keep your dog’s stomach settled.
A “pupsicle,” for instance, is probably just water and dog-friendly fruit juices made from cantaloupe, blueberries, watermelon, or others, as opposed to sugars, preservatives, and other additives.
5.Create homemade popsicles to enjoy. DIY dog treats can be made easily with a popsicle mold, food processor, and ingredients safe for dogs.
Dog-friendly ingredients like low-sodium chicken broth, green beans, peanut butter, and others can be used in popsicle recipes that are safe for your dog to consume.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, it’s best to give your dog human-grade popsicles or ones you’ve made yourself rather than those made with artificial ingredients. On extremely hot days, plain ice cubes are a great treat for your pet.
Don’t give your dog any xylitol-containing popsicle sticks or treats.