Hot dog? Four quick and easy iced treat recipes to cool a hot furball

Humans aren't the only animals that enjoy something frozen to cool off on a hot day. Any pet owners who want to do their dog a favour can whip up an easy recipe. Matthias Bein/dpa
Humans aren't the only animals that enjoy something frozen to cool off on a hot day. Any pet owners who want to do their dog a favour can whip up an easy recipe. Matthias Bein/dpa

If you think hot days are tough to get through, then try doing it with fur. Just like humans, dogs also enjoy some frozen refreshment when temperatures rise.

Most ice cream shops won't be able to oblige. So, why not make your own canine ices? Julia Neumann, a nutritionist from a dog advice platform in Germany, has tried and tested these four refreshing ice (cream) recipes for four-legged foodies.

Spinach and cheese ice cream

Ingredients:

  • 50 g cooked spinach

  • 50 g grated cheese (e.g. Emmental)

Instructions:

  • Fill ice cube trays halfway with the grated cheese, pressing it down slightly.

  • Top up the trays with the cooked spinach.

  • Freeze for at least 3 hours.

Oat ice cream

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons oats

  • 6 tablespoons buttermilk

Instructions:

  • Mix the oats and buttermilk together.

  • Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray.

  • Freeze for about 90 minutes.

Strawberry ice cream

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons Greek natural yoghurt

  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds

  • 7-8 strawberries

Instructions:

  • Soak the chia seeds in 3 tablespoons of water for about 15 minutes. Then mix them with 1 tablespoon of yoghurt.

  • Fill the ice moulds one-third full with the yoghurt-chia mix.

  • Wash and finely dice three-quarters of the strawberries. Mix these with the remaining yoghurt and puree using a hand blender.

  • Fill the ice moulds with the strawberry yoghurt. Slice the remaining strawberries and place a slice or two in each mould.

  • Freeze the ice for at least two hours.

Beef and yoghurt ice cream

Ingredients:

  • 40 g minced beef

  • 2 tablespoons Greek natural yoghurt

  • A little water

Instructions:

  • Form small balls from the minced beef and place them in an ice cube tray.

  • Mix the yoghurt with a bit of water, then pour the mixture into the tray, covering the beef balls.

  • Freeze for at least 2 hours.