While you enjoy a cool treat of a popsicle on a hot day, you might be enticed to share it with your fury friend. Before sharing, keep in mind to prioritize your dog’s safety and well-being. Check the popsicle ingredients. In this article, I will explore the question “Can Dogs Eat Popsicles? and I will share what type of popsicles and ingredients you want your furry friend to stay away from. Also, since I enjoy making dog popsicle recipes for my golden retrievers, I will share their favorite popsicle recipes and a dog-safe ingredients guide on how to make homemade popsicles for your dog.
What Are Popsicles?
Popsicles are frozen treats typically made with fruit juice, and mostly enjoyed during the dog days of summer as a refreshing comfort special treat.
Can Dogs Eat Popsicles?
Can your dog have popsicles? Yes, but not all popsicles are made safely to share with your dog. Some popsicle ingredients may be safe for your dog but others are hazardous for your dog’s health. Your dog can have popsicles only if all the ingredients are dog-safe.
2 Kinds of Popsicles: Frozen Treats
1. Fruit-Based Popsicle
Most popsicles are fruit-based. Berries and melons are the most popular fruit juices to make popsicles. These frozen treats are sometimes called icy pop.
2. Creamy-Based Popsicle
Cream-based popsicles are frozen treats that include cream or dairy as one of their main ingredients. Using plain yogurt with fruits creates a dog-friendly option. These popsicles are cool, tasty treats, sometimes referred to as frosty pops or dog ice cream.
4 Ingredients To Avoid In Store-Bought Popsicles
Always be on the lookout for harmful ingredients and opt for a healthy option for your dog’s health. Therefore, it is crucial to read and examine the ingredients thoroughly.
Typically, commercial popsicles at the grocery store like Bomp Pop, Jolly Rancher, Kool-Aid, and Outshine popsicles contain non-dog-friendly ingredients (see below). Also, these popsicles contain a lot of sugar to be a healthy treat for your dog.
Additionally, from my experience, even some frozen treats specifically made for dogs contain preservatives, dairy products, sugar, artificial flavors, and artificial coloring. So always make it a habit to read the ingredients.
1. Artificial Sweeteners – This is commonly found in sugar-free popsicles. Popsicles sweetened with artificial sweeteners can pose health risks for your dog.
2. Xylitol – Some popsicles contain xylitol, a sugar alcohol. The dangerous additive xylitol is highly toxic even in small amounts and can lead to severe dog health issues such as hypoglycemia or liver failure.
3. Dairy – Dogs can consume a small amount of dairy without incident. However, always take precautions with dairy products especially f your dog is lactose intolerant.
4. Unsafe Fruit Flavors – Some store-bought popsicles are made with high sugar content fruit juices that are unsafe for your dog.
What Popsicles Can Dogs Eat?
Healthy Popsicles Are Homemade Popsicles
It’s fun and easy to make popsicles or frozen dog treats for your dog.
Tools To Make Popsicles
To make homemade popsicles, you need these kitchen tools:
an ice cube tray or silicone mold (popsicle mold)
[I often use these silicone ice molds trays (affiliate link)]
a blender or food processor
spatula or spoon
Healthy Ingredients For Making Dog Safe Popsicles
Keep in mind when making popsicles for your dog to use natural ingredients and whole food in their unprocessed state. Here are some dog safe ingredients you can use to make homemade popsicles for your dog. You can mix and match these canine-approved ingredients to create a variety of flavors.
Base Ingredients:
Peanut Butter – love these peanut butter from Bark Bistro Buddy Budder (affiliate link)
Plain Yogurt (Greek Yogurt)
Pumpkin Puree
Coconut Juice
Coconut Oil
Broths (Chicken Broth, Bone Broth, Fish Broth)
Fruits and Vegetable Ingredients:
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Watermelon
Bananas
Apples
Sweet Potato
Carrots
Spinach
Popsicle Sticks Are Choking Hazard
When making popsicles for your dog, opt not to use popsicle sticks. Why? A popsicle stick is elongated and small, plus can be easily swallowed by your dog. In addition, a popsicle is made of wood, and if accidentally chewed, splinters could cause internal injuries, create a blockage and even puncture your dog’s digestive tract.
From my experience, when I use a popsicle stick, I always hold the stick while my dog licks the popsicle. Also, I always carefully watch and make sure that he does not bite the stick.
For safety, I have eliminated using a popsicle stick and opted for an edible popsicle handle, such as:
Bully Stick
Dog Biscuit
Fish Skin Chew
Jerky Chew
other Dog Treat Chews like this from Redbarn Beef Lung (my dog’s favorite)(affiliate link)
You also have an option not to use a popsicle handler. I often don’t use a handler especially if I am making mini-popsicles that I typically add into their meals. Here are some of the popsicle recipes I’ve made and not used an edible handler.
Watermelon Blueberry Popsicles
Coconut Popsicles
Sweet Potato and Fish Broth
Coconut Oil with Parsley
How to Make A Dog Safe Popsicle
To make homemade dog popsicles, here are the basic steps:
1. Gather all the base and fruit/vegetable ingredients.
2. Place all the ingredients in the high-speed blender or food processor.
3. Blend up the mixture until smooth.
4. Pour into the ice cube tray or silicone mold
5. Freeze for about two hours.
You can add the edible handles in between the freezing hours, typically during 30 to 45 minutes of being in the freezer.
Dog Safe Popsicle Recipes
Here are some of my dog’s favorite popsicle recipes I’ve made.
Yogurt Fish Broth with Berries
Jolly Berry
Berry Goat Milk
Can My Dog Have Popsicles?
The short answer is yes, your dog can have popsicles as long as the ingredients are safe. It is best to make your dog homemade popsicles where you have total control overall the ingredients used.
More Can Your Dog Eat Resources
Here are more articles I’ve shared about Can Dogs Eat:
Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers?
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Pie?
Can Dogs Eat Carrots?
Can Dogs Eat Chestnuts?
Can Dogs Eat Cornbread?
Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
Can Dogs Eat Pinecones?
