It might be tempting to let your dog eat a piece of your popsicle on a hot summer day. While this may seem like a safe treat, there are actually several reasons why popsicles are not good for your dogs. First, popsicles aren’t the healthiest treat in the world and they don’t contain a ton of nutritional value. They are often loaded with sugar, fat, and artificial flavors and coloring.
In addition, some dog owners have even reported that their dogs ate entire popsicle sticks! I think we can all see that this would present choking hazards and are terrible for a dog’s digestive system. Luckily, there are many other cold treats for dogs that can help them cool off in the summer.
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Are Popsicles Bad for Dogs?
Most popsicles aren’t made with real fruit juice. Instead, they are often comprised of a sweet mixture that’s a combination of various artificial ingredients that aren’t always healthy for dogs to ingest. Giving your dog a little bite now and again isn’t likely to do much harm but it’s never a good idea to give your dog treats that contain artificial ingredients.
Popsicles also contain way too much sugar! In fact, if you look at the ingredients on most popsicles, you will find that sugar is likely the first ingredient on the list, or pretty close to it. Dogs don’t need additional sugar in their diets, as it can lead to serious health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
You should also be wary of sugar-free frozen treats available. These alternatives often contain common artificial sweeteners like Xylitol, which are actually very toxic to dogs. If you want to give your dog frozen treats, you should avoid commercial products unless they are made specifically for dogs and make your own.
Homemade Dog Popsicle Recipes
Dogs do love frozen treats, including popsicles and ice cream, but since neither of these treats are safe for them to eat, you need to find alternatives. After all, dogs need to cool off and rehydrate on a hot summer day just as much as we do.
There are loads of great recipes online for frozen dog treats. Here is one of our favorite ways to make dog ice pops for your pups.
Ingredients
- 2 large, ripe bananas
- ½ C smooth peanut butter (preferably organic or natural)
Directions
Prepare ice cube trays by spraying with cooking spray. Mash up the bananas and mix well with peanut butter to make a creamy paste. Spoon mixture into prepared ice cube trays and freeze until ready to serve!
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Popsicles
In addition to avoiding giving popsicles to your dog, it is also best to stay away from many other frozen treats, including ice cream, which can contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs like chocolate. Instead, it’s best to make your own frozen treats for your dog. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and your dogs will absolutely love them!