Happy 1st Gotcha Day, Oscar. We love you! We’re celebrating with your favorite Watermelon Dog Treats today.
It’s hard to believe that our Oscar has been with us for a year now. After saying for so many years that I wasn’t a dog person, I’ve had to eat those words. He has very much become a member of our family and I love him dearly.
So many of you have shared in our excitement over the past year as first time dog owners. You messaged me countless tips and endless advice and I’ve loved it all. So, I wanted to share our first gotcha day with you.
Frozen Dog Treats
Several of you sent me recipes for your favorite homemade dog treats when Oscar first arrived. The most popular by far was blending fruit with a bit of yogurt to make dog popsicles.
This combination has become Oscar’s favorite treat. It cracks me up when he hovers near the freezer and peeks inside to see where the treats are.
Watermelon Dog Treats
Lucky for him, these are as easy as can be to make. Place cut-up watermelon into the blender, add a scoop of yogurt, and blend until liquid.
Pour the fruit mixture into ice cube trays (or these cute paw print molds!) and freeze until solid. Pop the frozen cubes into an airtight container and store in the freezer.
We adopted Oscar on Father’s Day last year and surprised the kids with him when we picked them up at camp the following day.
Our youngest son had wanted a dog for as long as we could remember, so we told him that after we were settled in Ohio we would look for one.
Our lives are truly better for having Oscar. I can’t even imagine our life without him now.
He’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever known and he’s been the best gift in our lives.
How To Make Dog Popsicles
These frozen treats are so easy to make, I typically use whichever fruits we have on hand. Super ripe bananas? Check. Berries? Check. Cantaloupe? Check.
I use about ¼ cup of yogurt for every 2 cups of chopped fruit. That’s it. Just blend it together and pour into ice cube trays or molds.
Don’t worry about spillage or mess on the molds when making these. Just set the molds on a sheet pan and it will catch any spills. Freeze on the tray and easily pop the cubes out when frozen.
I hope that your pup enjoys these treats every bit as much as Oscar does!
Watermelon Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
Instructions
- Combine the watermelon and the yogurt in the blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into molds or ice cube trays.
- Place the molds in the freezer until frozen solid. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer.
Nutrition
Jessica Williams says
My puppies will LOVE these! Thanks so much!
Rie says
Don’t throw out the watermelon rinds!! I have been a “mom” to two fur-babies (at different times). The vet we had with the second dog told us we could give the rind to our dog. She said to cut it up and serve it, or cut it up and freeze them!. My sweet Buddy LOVE them. (No dirtying a blender or cleaning molds – win-win!)
Mary Younkin says
Awe, it sounds like Buddy has his favorite treat already, Rie. While watermelon rind doesn’t contain anything hazardous to dogs, the texture and toughness of the rind can be problematic and has been known to cause intestinal issues for some dogs. Our vet may be overly cautious, but he advised against it. (This is probably why cutting up the rind works well for your pup. I love what an easy treat it is too!)
Julie says
Well… your new chickens will LOVE the rinds! So, save it for them, for sure. 😉
Mary Younkin says
Thanks for the tip, Julie!
Sandra Leder says
Thanks I will try that. My rottie eats just about anything so I’m sure she will love this
as well.
Mary Younkin says
Hopefully your dog enjoys these as much as ours, Sandra.
Missy says
Our lab Min Pin mix loos a lot like you new baby!!! I’ll have to try these for Max and our Yorkie mix Daisy. Oh, and when you find a really good price on watermelon you can puree it and the lay flat and freeze bags of it for the fall, winter and spring.
Mary Younkin says
I hope that Max and Daisy love them too, Missy. Thanks for the tip about pureeing ahead of time. I have tossed the cubed watermelon into the freezer before to save it for later, but pureeing would take up even less space.
SHERI CAYES says
Is there something eles besides yogurt that can be put in with the fruit
Mary Younkin says
well, if you skip the yogurt, you could just puree the watermelon and freeze that. It will probably be a little more like ice cubes, but should still be loved by the pups.
Jenny says
I just puree the watermelon and my pups love it. It’s like an ice cube but not as hard. If freezes, but is very easy for the dogs (and me) to eat.
gigi says
Our dog eats watermelon with us every time we have it. Can’t wait to try these on her.
Kimmy says
Where do you get the paw molds?
Mary Younkin says
There is a link in the above post, Kimmy. Happy popsicle making!
Ken Shappee says
For what I see is it can be for your pet or even your self
Maureen says
I think ;little people might like the dog treats!
Mary Younkin says
I’m certain they will, Maureen.
Rachel Thomson says
I want to go into the dog treat business. Just getting my starting. I am not going to do frozen treats or anything that has to be refrigerated. I have made frozen banana and peanut butter treats for my sons dog Bella. One banana and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Try to find a peanut butter with the smallest amount if sugar. Mix together and put in the paw molds and freeze. Bella a small 12 years old chiwaawa loves them. I use the little paw molds.
Mary Younkin says
Oscar loves PB Banana ice cream too!
Lydia says
Please make sure is peanut butter without Xylitol. This ingredient is found in many low sugar peanut butter. Xylitol may be harmful for dogs regardless of brand.
Bennie jones says
The white part of the rind is supposed to be a good anti inflammatory and help. I have always made sure I eat that part.
Mary Younkin says
Thanks for the tip, Bennie!
Peggy says
Can it be frozen on jelly trays and cut up after freezing? Don’t have any cute molds.
Mary Younkin says
You can make these in an ice cube tray, Peggy, or just really shallow on a pan and break it up. It is ice, so I don’t know how well cutting it would work.
Jaedyn says
What kind of dog is Oscar? <3
Mary Younkin says
He’s a rescue, so I honestly don’t know, Jaedyn. Most people guess he’s a lab, but at a full grown 35 lbs, he’s definitely a mix of something else. Whatever he is, we adore him.
Dixie Dweller says
These look great, and I know my pups will love ’em. Thanks on their behalf, and congrats to you for becoming a dog mom’! Isn’t it great? Dogs have pretty much been “my life” for many years now, and it’s so good to see others finding out about dogs. To me they are the best-kept secret in the world -they are so sweet, funny, pretty, soft, loyal, such good pals, entertaining, smart, fun, snuggly, etc. !
Mary Younkin says
I hope they love them too, Dixie!
Bob says
Do you just puree any seeds also?
Mary Younkin says
The little white seeds aren’t a big deal at all, but you’ll want to buy a seedless watermelon or remove any black seeds.
Peggy Taylor says
Could you use Greek yogurt?
Mary Younkin says
That will work fine, Peggy.
Cathy Jarrett says
I make treats for my puppies.. yogurt.. bananas peanut butter caned pumpkin and blueberries.. pour into snack cups and freeze.. dogs love them.. we call them “cup’s “🐶🐶
Mary Younkin says
Isn’t it fun to surprise them with a frozen treat?? I love this.
Michelle says
I would eat these too!Ghomer and I can share
Bianca Verri says
Can I use honey vanilla Greek yogurt?Its all I have
Mary Younkin says
That should work fine, Bianca.
Diana says
Mary, Great idea. Any option which I make for my dog is to blend strawberries, blueberries, and a banana, then add a few tablespoons of yogurt and a tablespoon of lower fat penut butter and blend all together. I fill up Kongs with this mixture and freeze. I give one to the dog when we go out to keep him busy. It takes him about a half hour or more to get through the frozen treat.
Mary Younkin says
That’s awesome, Diana.
Diane Robinson says
My puppies love Watermelon!! If I cut it on Sunday, usually by Friday it’s getting gross. Freezing it is the greatest idea ever!! Thanks😀
Mary Younkin says
I hope they love it as much as our dogs do, Diane!