There’s something magical about watching the sunset from your back porch after a long day of playing in the sun. Your puppy is at your feet happily munching away at one of the delicious DIY summer treats for puppies you’ve made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and lots of love as you enjoy a fine beverage yourself.
We all like to express how we love our puppies in different ways, and making DIY treats for your puppy is a wonderful way to show you care.
Making simple treats is easy, we promise. What about if you don’t like to cook or feel comfortable in the kitchen? Don't feel intimidated if you’re looking at some of the more elaborate ingredients involving multiple steps! DIY summer dog treats can be accessible to most people with a freezer, refrigerator, stovetop, or oven. Treats don’t have to be elaborate. It only takes a few ingredients to create refreshing summer treats for dogs. Your puppy is happy to serve as your taste tester along the way!
You don’t have to be a professional chef or proficient cook to create them, so what are you waiting for? Grab your apron, materials, and ingredients to whip up some pawsitively delicious DIY summer treats for puppies.
Puppy Dog Molds and Bone Cookie Cutters, Amazon, $14.99
Reasons to Make Your Own Summertime Dog Treats
You can go to the store or a specialty dog bakery to pick up some tasty treats, but maybe you’re looking for more of a special touch to celebrate summer with your puppy.
Forming a special bond through food
Giving your puppy treats is a great way to bond with your puppy because they will quickly figure out you are the Giver of Delicious Things. They’ll learn to trust you and please you to gain access to that tasty treat. You can use frozen treats as a sweet reward when training your puppy. Young puppies are usually highly motivated by scrumptious morsels, making training an enjoyable experience for both of you.
Stay in season with fresh, dog-safe ingredients
It’s absolutely vital you make treats with dog-safe ingredients. For example, humans may enjoy frozen grapes as a sweet treat, but grapes are one of many foods that are toxic to dogs, including xylitol, raisins, avocados, rhubarb, unknown wild berries, macadamia nuts, chocolate, and others. Make sure to research a full list of ingredients with your veterinarian.
Opt for fresh ingredients grown in summer mixed with year-round staples safe for dogs. Here are some options for summer foods safe for dogs you can pick up at the nearest roadside fresh produce stand, your local supermarket, or even from your backyard garden:
- Mint
- Oats
- Parsley
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Mangoes
- Pineapple
- Cucumber
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Greek Yogurt
As with all ingredients, always clear them with your vet first and give them in moderation to prevent obesity in puppies.
Brrr! DIY Frozen Summer Puppy Treats
Since it’s too hot outside, no one wants to turn on an oven. However, you can make frozen DIY summer treats for dogs inside the comfort of your cool kitchen with ingredients that are in season and safe for dogs to eat.
Making frozen treats for puppies can be an easy way to keep your puppy cool, busy, and healthy. With so many options, you can keep some on hand without taking up lots of space in the freezer. While regular ice cube trays work, consider cute summer-themed silicone molds for freezing treats in dog-themed shapes.
Puppies love working on getting the whole treat, so they’ll be occupied for several minutes as they extract the burst of flavors from the frozen food. You’ve given them a “job” to do, which will engage their brains by working on a problem to solve. Mental stimulation for puppies is vital for their physical and intellectual health, and it can also reduce behavioral issues.
Yogurt and Berry Dog Treats by Bigger Bolder Baking
The easiest treats are the ones made with only one ingredient. Putting peanut butter in a Kong toy and freezing it overnight takes less than a minute. Peanut butter contains healthy fats, protein, and vitamins B and E, all of which are part of a nutritious diet for puppies. Another easy option is to open a container of beef or chicken broth and freeze it into ice cubes. You can also put in some shredded or tiny chopped pieces of carrot. Frozen watermelon cubes are delicious for puppies and contain vitamins A, B6, and C. Mint, parsley, and Greek yogurt pupsicles help with stinky breath.
Check out these sites for frozen summer dog treat recipes:
- DIY Frozen Dog Treats: Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer from Just Food For Dogs
- Best DIY Frozen Dog Treats by Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT of American Kennel Club
- 8 Frozen Dog Treats For Summer Snackin' by Rachel Simon of Daily Paws
- Homemade Frozen Dog Treats by Mindi Cherry of Moms Need to Know
- How to Make a Frozen Dog Treat Bowl by Blair Salt of The Dink Dog Mom
No-Bake Energy Balls For Dogs by Mary's Busy Kitchen
No-Bake Delicious Summer Dog Treats
If your freezer is full already, have no fear – you can make no-bake summer dog treats and still keep your kitchen at a comfortable temperature! Most of these treats involve mixing ingredients and refrigerating, so make sure you have space to keep them cool while setting and saving for later.
Grab your blender to make delicious concoctions. You can create watermelon slushies, peanut butter and banana ice cream, and many more. It’s always fun to share a treat with your puppy! Greek yogurt parfaits are a perfect sweet summer treat for you and your canine friend. Layer fresh berries and Greek yogurt in a container and enjoy. Your dog will also appreciate plain canned pumpkin blended with Greek yogurt, oats, and some local honey as a delicious option.
Check out these no-bake dog treat options to stay cool in the kitchen:
- 5 Healthy, Easy, No-Bake Dog Treat Recipes for Happy Dogs by Dough ReMia
- Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats by Bigger Bolder Baking
- Puppy Parfaits by Tastemade Culinary Team
- Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl by This Mess is Ours
- No-Bake Energy Balls For Dogs by Mary’s Busy Kitchen
Baked Puppy Treats For Summertime
If you are ready to tackle the oven, you’ll be rewarded with delicious dog treats that will make your puppy go pawsitively crazy in a good way! Baked dog treats can last longer in air-sealed containers than no-bake treats. They’re also more portable to pack when going on adventures with your puppy. Ensure your puppy will not jump up and burn themselves when using the stovetop or oven by keeping them out of the kitchen during the cooking portion.
Here are our picks for baked dog treats:
- 2-Ingredient Dog Treats by Soccer Mom Blog
- Baked Oatmeal Applesauce Dog Treats by My Brown Newfies
- Apple Pie Dog Treats by Sam Turnbull of It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
- DIY Doggie Breath Mints by Trainor Clifford of Skinny Ms.
- Homemade Dog Treats by Adrianna Adarme of A Cozy Kitchen
Pawrade Puppies Deserve Pupsicles
We are fortunate to partner with incredible, reputable breeders who raise their puppies in healthy, loving environments to join their furever households. Our Puppy First Approach means we put the health and wellness of puppies above all else. What a great way to uphold this approach than making DIY summer treats for your new Pawrade puppy? We can’t wait to see what you create for them. Be sure to tag us on our social media pages to be featured with your homemade treats for puppies! We have a variety of puppies for sale perfect for all types of households and living situations. Let’s work together to find the puppy of your dreams.
