During the summer, is there anything better than a nice cold treat? I mean, ice cream and popsicles are an American tradition in the hot summer months! So why not treat your dog to a cool, refreshing snack that not only tastes great, but is actually good for them? Here is a simple and easy recipe (seriously, there are only three ingredients!) that you can make yourself and your dogs will love you for it!
You read that right, this recipe just calls for three simple ingredients; chicken broth, peanut butter, and parsley. We'll go into more detail below.
Chicken Broth
Dogs love the savory flavor of chicken broth! But not all chicken broth is created equally. Be sure to read the label as many store-bought broths contain additional ingredients such as garlic and onion which can be toxic to dogs. Additionally, you will want to make sure that you are using a broth that is low in sodium.
Peanut Butter
Most dogs go crazy for peanut butter! It is packed with flavor and will get their mouths watering. But be careful as not just any old peanut butter will do! You will want to look for a truly natural peanut butter (yes, the kind that separates and you have to stir like crazy to use). Be absolutely sure that the peanut butter does not contain xylitol, which can cause hypoglycemia in dogs, which can be fatal!
Parsley
Ok, so your dog probably won't go nuts for parsley on its own, which is actually a good thing as it should only be ingested in moderation, but it does offer a surprising amount of health benefits when supplied in small doses. This "super herb" actually contains high levels of Vitamin C, A, and K, which promote a healthy immune system, improves vision, supports healthy blood clotting, and promotes liver health. Additionally, parsley is also rich in folic acids and antioxidants which helps with inflammation, kidney and urinary health, and the antimicrobial properties kill germs and even improve your dog's breath!
So now that you've got all of the ingredients, you'll just need a silicone ice cube tray to get started. Really, any shape will do but we prefer to make it fun with paw prints, bones, and our personal favorite...dog poop emojis!
The first step is to fill the ice cube tray(s) half way with chicken broth. Be sure not to overfill them or you won't have room for the rest of the ingredients! Once filled halfway, place the tray(s) in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until the broth is completely frozen.
While the chicken broth is freezing, it's time to mix the remaining ingredients. In a bowl, stir together the peanut butter and parsley (we recommend 2 tablespoons of parsley per cup of peanut butter). If the peanut butter mixture is too thick to work with, you can always microwave the bowl for 10-15 seconds to soften up the mixture.
Once the chicken broth has frozen, gently spoon the peanut butter mixture into the ice cube tray, filling them up to the top. It's okay if you make a mess, but try not to overfill the individual cups too much as you'll want to maintain a good shape to the treats once they are finished.
After you've topped off your ice cube tray(s), stick them back into the freezer for 4-6 hours, until they are thoroughly frozen. Once you are confident that the treats have frozen all the way through, pop them out of the silicone trays and place them into a freezer safe container for storage.
You are now ready to let your dog enjoy a cold and tasty treat! Just be sure to give these doggy popsicles to your furry friends in moderation and in an area that you don't mind getting a little messy. After all, melted chicken broth, peanut butter, and dog drool will make quite the mess on your carpet!