Recipe Corner: Blueberry Maple Pupsicles

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s time to start thinking about cool canine treats. I made these for my dog and she is crazy for them! Maple syrup is associated with all that is Canadian and dogs love the stuff even more than we do. In warmer weather, these frozen treats will help cool your pet down -- plus you can even eat one yourself! They are yummy.

The yogurt adds protein and calcium to help keep bones and teeth healthy and strong, plus probiotics are good for your dog’s tummy and the blueberries are loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals plus fibre: the maple syrup is just added for taste. Don’t use too much: like all sugars, large doses of syrup are not good for your dog’s teeth, and flavorwise, a little goes a long, long way.

Blueberry Maple Pupsicles

Ingredients:

2 cups plain non-fat probiotic yogurt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or chopped fruit such as peaches or plums
2 tbsp. maple syrup (honey may be substituted if you are out of maple syrup)

Stir together the yogurt, blueberries and syrup and freeze in containers appropriate for your dog’s size. (ie: muffin tins, ice cube trays, mini-muffin tins, etc.) Do not fill all the way to the top as the mixture swells as it freezes.

To release them from the container, dip the bottoms in warm water.

These treats store well frozen in freezer bags.