5 dog-friendly ice lollies you can make at home as Aldi and Morrisons begin selling ice cream for dogs

With temperatures skyrocketing, we’ll be stocking our freezers with ice cream and lollies for all the family, and while our four-legged friends can enjoy dairy in small amounts they can’t indulge.

Some supermarkets including Aldi and Morrisons have now started selling dog-friendly ice creams, while pet food brand Webbox has also come up with some frozen treats that are quick and easy to make at home and suitable for our furry relatives.

Julie Butcher, from Webbox, explained: “Ice lollies can be a great way of keeping your dog cool, as well as including them in the summer fun you’re having.

“It’s important to check any new ingredients with your dog’s digestive system by introducing them slowly, but another good tip is to make lollies out of ingredients that your dog already regularly consumes.

“You should also make sure that you keep treats, including the lollies, to times that aren’t disrupting their usual mealtimes, as dogs enjoy having set routines and this is also healthier for their digestion.

“So, enjoy these summer novelties, but keep your pooch’s regular food in mind too.”

Here’s five dog-friendly ice lollies perfect for keeping your pooch cool in the summer:

1. Fruit

Humans aren’t the only ones to enjoy frozen fruits in summer. Just as you would for children, you can make dog-friendly fruit lollies by blending some fruit into a smoothie consistency, pouring it into ice lolly moulds, and setting in the freezer.

Among the fruits safe for dogs are apples, bananas, and blueberries, but never let your dog eat grapes or raisins. And don’t use any extra sweeteners – as the fruits contain plenty of sugars already.

2. Meat broth

While we might only tuck into a sweet lolly your dog will adore a savoury frozen treat. You can take the meat broth made from your dog’s normal wet food, or from a low-salt stock that you use while cooking, and simply freeze into lollies. These are ideal for keeping your pooch cool without introducing more sugar into their diet.

3. Vegetable

Another savoury option is to make a vegetable smoothie and freeze it. While your dog might have a few favourite veggies – generally good options include include celery, cucumber, green beans, peas, and potatoes.

You must be sure to avoid vegetables that can be toxic to dogs, such as onions, asparagus, avocado, and mushrooms. Again, freezing vegetables instead of fruit will keep your pet’s sugar intake low.

4. Treat lollies

Alongside fruit and vegetables, you can include your pooch’s favourite treats in your ice lollies to make them even more exciting.

Choose a base for your lollies, such as meat broth or a watery fruit like melon or cucumber, and then add a few of the treats when you pour the mixture into the moulds. They will freeze into the lolly and add an extra touch of flavour.

5. Peanut butter

If your dog is a fan of peanut butter, you could include this in a lolly. A classic recipe is to blend peanut and banana together with as much water as is necessary to create a runny smoothie-style texture before freezing.

Anyone choosing to do this should just check the packaging of any peanut butter to make sure that it’s xylitol-free, as this a sweetener that is toxic to dogs and can be present in many brands of peanut butter advises Webbox.