Fun DIY Treats and Toys for Pets
Summertime is the perfect time to spoil your furry companions with homemade goodies and simple toys that beat the heat. These easy DIY recipes and projects are fun, refreshing, and sure to earn you extra purrs or tail wags.
Frozen Treats Pets Will Love
Peanut Butter & Jam Frozen Toasts
This comfort food-inspired snack is a delightful one that is perfectly safe for your dog to enjoy too.
- 1 cup of strawberries
- 1/4 cup water
- A few dollops of natural peanut butter (Be careful it does not contain xylitol, a sweetener harmful to dogs.)
- Puree strawberries and water, then pour into ice cube trays around 3/4 of the way. Add a dollop of peanut butter to each and freeze.
Fruity Coconut Drops1
Coconut oil is refreshing, delicious, and comes with many natural health benefits for our pups.
- 1 cup of organic coconut oil
- Handful of blueberries
- Teaspoon of honey
- Add coconut oil to a bowl and place over a pan of boiled water. Wait until the coconut softens and shape into bite-sized balls, adding honey and a few blueberries while shaping for a natural sweet kick. Freeze on a tray then store in the fridge in an airtight container.
Tuna Shaved Ice
If you’re whipping up a sandwich made with canned tuna in water (NOT oil), don’t toss the drained liquid. Instead put the tuna liquid and four ice cubes in a blender and make a shaved ice slushy for your kitty. It’s a flavor they’ll love with added hydration!
Easy Cool-down Toys
Frozen Towel Tug Toy
Soak a clean towel in water, twist it into a rope, and freeze it. Dogs love to chew on this icy toy on hot afternoons. Bonus: Add a few treats in the folds before freezing for a fun surprise.
Ice Block Toy
Place toys or treats in a container, fill with water or diluted low-sodium broth, and freeze. Dogs will love the challenge of freeing the goodies.
Sock Ball Cat Toy
Fill an old sock with a tablespoon of dried catnip and a crinkly wrapper, tie it off, and freeze for a few minutes before playtime. Cats love batting it around and rolling in it!
Cooling Off at the Shelter
Summer offers unique opportunities for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter to get creative with canine enrichment. Many of the dogs enjoy spending time outdoors, and the play yard pools provide a refreshing way for them to cool off while bonding with their favorite volunteers. To help beat the heat, frozen stuffed Kongs are a popular treat—and when Kongs aren’t available, inventive volunteers use alternatives like bell peppers or cored apples to keep the pups both engaged and refreshed.
You can join in on the fun in the sun by joining the shelter’s volunteer team! Visit wilcopets.org to get started.