Frozen summer treats for pets

Few things are as tail-wagging wonderful as a frozen treat on a hot summer day.

These easy-to-make pet treats are a tasty and low-calorie way to keep your four-legged friends cool throughout the dog days of summer.

Fruit ice cube treats for dogs

These ice cube treats are super easy to make—and dogs love to chomp on them! You can even make them using paw- or bone-shaped ice cube molds to add to the fun.

What you will need:

• Ice cube tray
• Fresh high-water content fruit (such as bananas, strawberries, watermelon, peaches, mango or pineapple)
• Water
• Plastic freezer bag

Important: Never give grapes or raisins to your dog, or feed them the seeds, stems or leaves from peaches or apples—all of these are very poisonous to canines!

Directions:

1. Chop up fruit into small, bite-size chunks
2. Place 1-3 pieces of fruit in each ice cube partition
3. Add water ¾ to the top
4. Freeze for 2-3 hours until solid
5. Remove from tray and store in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container

Serving suggestion: 2-4 treats per dog.

Chilled-out tuna treats for cats

Even the most selective kitty will go wild for this yummy tuna delicacy. Your dog friends will love them too.

What you will need:

• Ice cube tray
• Can of water-packed tuna (alternately, you can use canned salmon)
• About ½ cup water
• Mixing bowl
• Blender (optional)
• Plastic freezer bag

Directions:

1. Open the tuna and pour it into the bowl or blender (include the tuna water)
2. Add about ½ cup of water
3. Blend for about 10 seconds or hand mix until an even consistency
4. Transfer tuna mix to the ice cube tray
5. Freeze for 2-3 hours until solid
6. Remove from tray and store in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container

Pro tip: Portion the mix into your ice cube tray with less mess by transferring it to a plastic freezer bag and cutting off one corner—it works like a cake piping bag.

Serving suggestion: 1-2 treats per day.

Making these treats for your pet this summer? Show us your gourmet delights on social using #OnYourSideMoments!