Madeleine, my faithful 12 year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, has wedged herself under my feet/nestled into my lap since I was in undergrad at the University of Florida. Through graduate school, my first clinical job at a hospital, and throughout the growth of my private practice and now as I nurse and feed a toddler, she was and is there, providing comfort, support, love, and enjoying all the leftover droppings from chairs/highchairs.
This gal, and your furry canine companions, if I may assume, deserve a summer treat, am I right?!
I may be a human dietitian, but dogs and humans can share similar physiological and nutrition needs. One of these needs is for popsicles. Or should I say… pupsicles. These pup popsicles provide a nice dose of protein, B vitamins, probiotics, fiber, potassium, Vitamin A, calcium, Vitamin D, and occupation for at least ten minutes in your day so you can enjoy a little respite.
Ingredients
1 large very ripe banana or canned unsweetened pumpkin (some dogs, like mine, don’t like bananas! Spoiled…)
1/4 cup unsweetened and unsalted peanut butter
2 lbs plain Greek nonfat yogurt
Grated carrots
Directions
Combine the first three ingredients in a blender. Pour into popsicle molds and stick a popsicle stick in the bottom (optional). Sprinkle some grated carrots on the bottom third of the pup popsicles. Allow to harden in the freezer.
Optional — add some parsley. It’s great to freshen stinky puppy breath.
I make no promises that your children will not attempt to share them with your pup. Perhaps it is good for their microbiome.
