Don’t Sweat It! Cool Down Your Dog with These Peanut Butter Pup-sicles

See Dr. Richter's recipe for homemade Peanut Butter Pup-sicles below and keep your pal cool all year long.  photo: AdobeStock

Picture this: you’re melting on the couch desperately waiting for summer to end and your furry friend is panting up a storm right beside you. Actually, you may not have to picture it because it could be happening to you right now. Labor Day might  be behind us, but sweltering temps don’t seem to pay a lot of attention to the calendar these days - not with climate change bringing the heat like never before. 

Now you’ve probably heard how crucial it is to keep your pup cool when the weather is blistering. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke are all common during hot temperatures, and they’re particularly hard on our canine friends. 

Thankfully, there’s a fun and fast way to treat your pup to a cooldown with my recipe for homemade Peanut Butter Pup-sicles! They’re tasty, refreshing, healthy, and easy to make.

Here’s what you'll need:

• 1 cup plain, non-fat yogurt 

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (IMPORTANT: Make sure peanuts are the only ingredient on the label —  your peanut butter should be completely free of sugar, xylitol, salt, and other additives)

• 1 ripe banana 

Here’s what to do:

1. Toss everything in a blender.

2. Blend until smooth.

3. Pour into ice cube trays (or ice pop molds if you're feeling fancy!).

4. Freeze for at least 3 hours.

Pro Tip: You can even pour the mixture into a Kong toy and then freeze it. This can be a great way to keep your pup happy, cool, and mentally stimulated.

No matter how you serve them, these tasty treats are packed with probiotics from non-fat yogurt, which support your pup’s smooth digestion. They’re also full of healthy protein and fat from the peanut butter, which fuels their active muscles and joints and encourages a shiny coat. Finally, the banana puts potassium and fiber in each bite, supporting your dog’s healthy heart and a long, full life. What a perfect combo!

But before you head to the kitchen to get started, keep these important thoughts in mind:  

1. If your dog has any health conditions or allergies, give your vet a quick call first. When feeding your pup something new, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

2. Introduce new treats to your dog slowly. Give them a little bit of the pup-sicle to start and see how their tummy reacts. This can help you avoid a surprise on your floor.

3. Remember these are treats, not meals. Offer them as special rewards only. Too many treats (more than a few ounces a day) can lead to upset tummies, low energy, and weight gain. As with most good things, moderation is the key.

Finally, one more bonus tip: If you want to make your pup-sicles even more nutritious (and tasty), add a quarter cup of freeze-dried raw dog food to the mixture before freezing. Your dog will get a ton of extra nutrients - including protein, antioxidants, amino acids, and fiber - as well as a meaty, savory flavor that most pups can’t get enough of.

So don’t let the last heat of the summer get you and your dog down. Whip up some tasty pup-sicles instead and bring on the cool.