Article & Recipe courtesy of The Humane Society of the United States
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/eating/recipes/animal_treats/dog_popsicles.html

DIY Dog Treat: Peanut Butter Popsicles

When a heat wave hits your hometown, easy-to-make frozen treats are one way to help your dog chill out.

by Loren Drummond

The thermometer reads 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dog sprawls belly down on the kitchen floor, panting. The weatherman predicts things will be like this all week.

Temperature spikes can be dangerous for people and animals—more so in regions unused to hot weather. Families (like us) without air conditioning take refuge in offices, coffee shops, public libraries and movie theaters—places where dogs aren’t always welcome.

To help our 60-pound mutt, Madigan, cope with the heat, I often mix up a batch of dog-friendly popsicles.

Peanut butter popsicles

• In a small mixing bowl, combine peanut butter with a little water or half a mashed banana. (The water and banana aren’t essential but help with freezing consistency.)
• Line an ice cube tray or cookie sheet with wax paper. (You don’t have to use the paper, but it can make prying the cubes out easier.)
• Spoon the mixture into the cubes, or drop onto the tray just like you would cookie dough.
• Freeze. If you need to reuse the tray right away, pop out the cubes and store them in a bag or container in the freezer.
• Serve. Turn any hot dog into a happy camper.

Mix, match, freeze

Pet popsicles can be made out of all kinds of things that your dog (or cats) eat normally, so experiment to see what your dog likes best.

Try: Treats suspended in water, watered down wet food, and favorite frozen veggies. Avoid: onions and onion powder, salt, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, potatoes, rhubarb leaves and stems, avocados, and anything else on this list.

Tip: You can fill up a rubber Kong-style toy and freeze—a great cool-down treat for when you will be away for a few hours.