It’s summer time and we have some DIY puppy treats for our little four-legged pals, writes Lily Zeng.
Puppylato
Three flavours of frozen fun for your Fido! Makes approximately three scoops of Puppylato and may require an icecream maker.
STRAWBERRY
Ingredients:
1 cup plain organic yoghurt
8 large fresh strawberries
1 teaspoon honey
Method:
1. Hull strawberries and cut into quarters.
2. Place strawberries and honey in blender or food processor and pulse until they form a purée.
3. Stir yoghurt through purée.
4. Place the mixture into the ice-cream maker.
5. Remove and serve.
PEANUT BUTTER
Ingredients:
1 cup plain organic yoghurt
½ cup organic peanut butter
Method:
1. Place peanut butter and yoghurt in a blender or food processor and pulse until well combined.
2. Place the mixture into the ice-cream maker.
3. Remove and serve.
HANDY HINT: Add half a teaspoon of freshly ground flaxseed meal for variation.
BANANA
Ingredients:
1 cup plain organic yoghurt
1 banana
1 teaspoon honey
Method:
1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until well combined.
2. Place the mixture into the ice-cream maker.
3. Remove and serve.
Recipes and photography by Serena Faber Nelson from 52 Weeks of Treats – Simple & Healthy Dog Treat Recipes for Every Season by Serena Faber Nelson with Sarah Dickerson (Buy here: prettyfluffy.com/ebook)
Peanut-butter icicles
Ingredients:
– 2 cups yoghurt (plain or Greek)
– ¾ cup peanut butter
– assortment of other flavours, for example: ripe banana, baby food, flavoured gravy, canned dog food etc
– ice-cube trays
Method:
1. Mix yoghurt and peanut butter into a large mixing bowl. You can also use an electric mixer but it’s not hard to do it by hand.
2. Add whatever other flavourings you want. This time we just used a ripe banana.
3. Mix until mostly smooth, there may still be some chunks of banana but that’s okay as long as they’re pretty soft.
4. If you are using regular ice-cube trays, you can just spoon the mixture into the tray. If you are using funky shaped ones, such as fish or hearts, it’ll be a bit more difficult to put the mixture into the shapes. So you may need to use a rubber spatula to put the mixture into a thick, zip-lock bag, making sure it’s completely sealed at the top.
5. Cut a SMALL hole in one corner of the bag and slowly squeeze the mixture into the ice tray, like you would if you were icing a cupcake. Sometimes you may get a chunk of banana clogging the hole. When this happens, gently pinch the corner to squeeze it out.
6. When full, tap the ice tray on a counter to level out each mould. Add additional mixture where needed. Pop it in the freezer and wait a few hours.
7. Let dogs lick the bowl.
8. Once the mixture is frozen, put it in containers and store in the freezer. Yum!
Recipe by Kaia Parkinson (dogsandcrafts.wordpress.com)
Canine coolers
Ingredients
– 1 can chicken or beef stock
– ½ cup water
Method:
1. Mix the stock of your choice with the water
2. Pour into ice-cube trays and serve frozen
3. Hey Presto! A great treat for those warmer days
Here are just a few things that can make life with your dog a bit easier - see them now on our DOGSLife Directory
