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PET HAPPENINGS April 2017

Frosty Treats for Your Dog on a Hot Summer Day
By Kaye J. Davis– –Owner of the Moab BARKery

With the temperatures warming up fast, we are planning on spending a lot more time outdoors with our dogs. What could be more fun for your dog than chowing down on some delicious, frosty treats on a warm summer’s day? All your neighbor’s dogs are sure to be jealous and some look so good, you might want to grab a spoonful for yourself too!

One important thing to note is that you should not be using sugar; it is just not good for dogs. Raw local honey from Moab Honey is what I have chosen to use in my recipes, raw honey is now readily available in grocery stores everywhere. Ripened fruit is always a great way to add some sweetness to a recipe.

In the recipes I have listed below I have chosen to use goat yogurt, in particular the goat yogurt from Steve’s Real Food, it is important to use yogurt with active cultures instead of dairy, coconut yogurt is also a great alternative to use and makes your recipe vegan. Regarding concerns about yogurt, it is very safe to use with dogs in small portions. In large quantities it could cause an upset stomach due to the lactose and it is something to be aware of. If you use common sense and feed a small treat-sized portion then your dog should experience no effects, other than pure joy.

The following are 6 dog approved recipes that you can serve the next time temperatures get warm that I promise will make you the bark of the neighborhood. To make these recipes you can use a blender if you want to achieve a perfectly smooth texture, otherwise a wooden spoon and a mixing bowl will work just as well. As far as what you freeze the treats in is only limited by your imagination. You can use an ice-cube tray to freeze the sweet treats in to individual servings, use a plastic container to freeze them in larger portions or just pour into a large container to freeze to scoop and serve.

The method for making all of these recipes is simple. Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until combined. Pour in to mold or container of your choice, place in freezer until completely frozen. Remove from freezer and let sit for a few minutes before removing from mold or scooping from your container.

Pumpkin Frosty
Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix) combines with yogurt, raw honey and ginger to make a treat that is not only cooling, but great for your dog’s belly as well. They don’t need to know it is good for them and we are not telling.
15 oz can of pumpkin puree
12 oz yogurt
1 tablespoon raw honey
2 teaspoons ginger root powder

Fruity Ice Cream
The fruits you can use for this recipe could be endless, in this recipe I used apricots because I had them in my freezer, last summer I pureed them into a chunky texture and then froze the puree in a plastic bag. If using fresh fruit I would suggest using fruit that is over-ripe, its soft texture will be easier to stir into the recipe but also its sweetness and flavor will be at its best.
8oz apricot puree
8 oz yogurt
1 can unsweetened coconut milk
1 tablespoon raw honey
Carob Chip Ice Cream
Carob chips replace chocolate in this spin on a classic ice cream flavor.
12 ounces yogurt
1/3 cup carob chips
1 tablespoon raw honey

Peanut Butter & Banana Frosty
Peanut Butter and Bananas combined with yogurt and honey make this a delicious frozen snack. Make sure your bananas are ripe, the riper the better in this case. If they are not a quick tip is to roast them first, which requires placing them on a sheet tray (still wrapped in their peel) and roasting them at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until they have softened.
32 ounces yogurt
2 ripe bananas
2 tablespoons raw honey
½ cup peanut butter
Sweet and Nutty
Sweet potato puree and peanut butter combine for a sweet and nutty ice cream. Use natural peanut butter that has no sugar or salt added and if possible use peanut butter from a health store where you can grind your own, then you know all that is in your peanut butter, is peanuts.
15 oz can sweet potato puree
½ cup peanut butter
12 ounces yogurt

Coconut Blueberry Ice Cream
In this recipe coconut milk and blueberries combine to make a colorful and delicious treat. Consider using fresh blueberries when they are in season, otherwise you can use frozen blueberries that have been defrosted, just make sure to drain off any excess water. Unsweetened coconut milk is best for this recipe. Consider keeping some blueberry puree aside to add back in after you have mixed the ingredients to make a swirl and add some raw coconut flakes to give it some extra texture.
32 ounces unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup fresh blueberries pureed or mashed with a fork
2 tablespoons raw honey
¼ cup raw coconut flakes or shredded coconut
The thing that I love about all of these treats is that our dogs are forced to take their time and enjoy them. Normally, they snarf down treats without even chewing them. Since these treats are so cold, they lick them for a quite a while before finishing them. I recommend serving them outside due to melting; I also serve them in my dog’s regular food bowl for an extra cool surprise.





MoabBarkery website

Dog Friendly Walks/Hikes in the Moab Area
Trail or Walk Difficulty Length
(one way)
Proximity to Downtown
MillCreek Pathway
easy 1.1 miles Little to no driving
Starts at 100 S & 100 W
Portal Overlook
(trailhead @ Jaycee Park)
Hard 2.0 miles 25 min drive N on US-191 to W on Utah 279 (4.2 miles)
Moab Rim Hard 3.0 miles
(to Hidden Valley trail)
8 minute drive 2.6 miles down Kane Creek Blvd from US-191
Negro Bill Canyon
(aka William Grandstaff Canyon)
Moderate 2.0 miles 10 minute drive N on US-191 to
W on Utah 128, 3 miles
Hunter Canyon Easy 2.0 miles 25 minute drive (mild off-road)
7.5 miles down Kane Creek Blvd from US-191
Corona Arch Trail Easy/Moderate 1.5 miles 25 minute drive N on US-191 to
W Utah 279 (10 miles)
Hidden Valley
(trailhead at end of Angel Rock Rd)
Hard 2.0 miles 10 minute drive S on US-191
3 miles to Angel Rock Rd
Fisher Towers
(trailhead 2.2 miles off Utah 128)
Moderate 2.2 miles 35 minute drive N on US-191 to Utah 128, then 21 miles

Tips for enjoying your time with your dog here in the Moab area:

  • Bring lots of extra water for you and your dog.1 gallon per day for every 60lbs of dog!!
  • Don’t let dogs chase wildlife (especially coyotes, they can lead dogs into an ambush).
  • In the city, dogs are required to be leashed, but on public lands off leash with voice control is allowed.
  • Slickrock and sand is very abrasive!  Check paw pads often, or buy and use booties.
  • If it’s over 85 degrees only consider early AM or late PM hikes, daycare or leave your dog at home.
  • Pack out my poop!  Seriously or the other hikers without dogs will eventually demand no dogs allowed!

To see past articles about animals, pets and their care check our archives.

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