When the weather outside is hot an ice lolly can be the perfect way to cool down – for both humans and pets.
Thankfully, Battersea have come up with some tasty frozen pet-friendly recipes to help keep dogs and cats comfortable when the mercury is high. Using natural ingredients, the ice lollies are not only a delicious way to help your pet in the heat but a nutritious snack, too.
Rebecca MacIver, Rehoming and Welfare Manager, at Battersea said: “Hot weather can be really uncomfortable for dogs and cats, so it’s important that owners do a bit of forward planning on keeping their pets cool in higher temperatures.
“At Battersea we give our canine and feline residents a frozen treat on warmer days, as part of their regular healthy balanced diets, to help keep them as comfortable as possible.
“Making treats like these for your pet can be a great way to bond with them and is a fun activity for any member of the family!”
Remember, owners should also ensure that they’re taking other responsible steps, such as keeping pets in the shade, limiting exercise to early morning or events and providing plenty of water to ensure their pets stay as safe as possible.
For more information on keeping dogs and cats cool in hot weather, please visit www.battersea.org.uk.
Other recipes for pet-friendly treats can be found on the Battersea YouTube channel.
Dog ice lolly recipe
Ingredients
1 Apple
1 Carrot
300ml Water
Meaty treat stick (Stick-shaped edible dog treat)
Paper cups for a mould
Method
- Slice your apple, making sure that the core and seeds are removed, and chop into small pieces. Then grate your carrot.
- Measure out the water into a jug and tip in your apple and carrot. Blend with a hand blender until smooth. This recipe will make around 5 lollies.
- Pour the mixture into small paper cups and place in the freezer until they are partially frozen. This will take between 1-2 hours.
- Once they are partially set, take them out and add a meaty stick-shaped treat to create the stick of the ice lolly. Place back in the freezer until completely set.
- Remove the paper cup before giving one to your dog. We recommend your dog eats their lolly outside (in a shaded area if it is a very hot day), in their bowl or on a floor which you can easily clean, so it doesn’t melt into any rugs or carpet.
Check out our pet advice for more information on keeping your dog cool in the summer and to learn more about foods which are toxic to dogs.
Cat ice lolly recipe
Ingredients
Liquid from 1 Tin of tuna in spring water
400ml Water
Small Paper cup for a mould
Meaty treat stick (Stick-shaped cat treat)
Method
- Measure out your water into a jug, then drain in the liquid from a tin of tuna in spring water. Give it a quick stir.
- Pour the mixture into small paper cups (or whatever you are using as a mould) and place in the freezer until they are partially set. This should take about 1 hour and the mixture should be enough for around 5-6 lollies.
- Once they have started to freeze, take them out and add a meaty stick-shaped cat treat to make the stick of the lolly. Place back in the freezer until they are completely frozen.
- Once frozen, remove the paper cup before giving one to your cat. It’s best to give these to your cat outdoors (in the shade, if it’s a very hot day), or in a bowl, so the lolly doesn’t melt all over your floor!
Take a look at our cat advice for further information on cat diet and toxic food items.
cute.