With increasingly hot days, keeping pets cool and hydrated becomes a priority. A delicious way to do this is to offer homemade natural ice creams, especially prepared to meet the nutritional needs of pets.
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Janaína Duarte, coordinator of the Veterinary Medicine course at Anhanguera College, points out that, like humans, pets also suffer from the heat. “Keeping pets cool and hydrated helps prevent overheating and dehydration, which can be dangerous to their health. In addition, this ensures that they are comfortable and happy during hot days.”
One way to relieve pets from high temperatures is ice cream; however, the veterinarian advises to prefer homemade ones over commercial ones. “Homemade natural ice creams offer several advantages over commercial ice creams for pets. First of all, they allow owners to have total control over the ingredients, ensuring that they are healthy and safe for their pets, as they are free of dyes, preservatives, and added sugars, making them a healthier option. They are also customizable, allowing recipes to be adapted according to each pet’s preferences and dietary restrictions.”
For making ice creams, the professor recommends using ingredients such as fruits like bananas, strawberries, and apples, unsweetened yogurt, unsalted beef or chicken broth, and even carrots. “It’s important to avoid toxic ingredients for animals, such as grapes, chocolate, and xylitol. When choosing items, check with your veterinarian if they are safe for the type of animal you have. Avoid adding sugars and high-fat dairy products, as they can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.”
Check out some simple and healthy homemade ice cream recipes for pets listed by the Veterinary Medicine professor:
- Banana ice cream: Mix ripe bananas with unsweetened natural yogurt, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze.
- Red fruit ice cream: Combine strawberries and blueberries with coconut water, blend, and freeze.
- Carrot ice cream: Cook carrots, mix with unsalted chicken broth, and freeze in small portions.
“When serving ice cream to your pet, serve in small portions, especially if your pet is not used to ice cream, to avoid gastrointestinal problems. After consumption, watch for signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or difficulty breathing. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms after consuming ice cream, immediately discontinue and consult a veterinarian,” recommends the coordinator of the Veterinary Medicine course at Anhanguera College.
