Summer Fun for Your Pets: Cool Treats and Boredom Busters

by Steph Mueller for The Pet Market

It's August, and it's hot out there. Just like us, our pets love a cool treat when temperatures climb — plus moisture-rich foods that help keep them hydrated. And when it's too hot for long walks or backyard play, all that extra time indoors can leave cats and dogs bored and restless. The fix is simple: cooling treats, hydrating foods, and a little indoor enrichment go a long way toward keeping your pet happy and healthy all summer. Here's how to do all three.

Keep Your Cool: Easy Frozen Treats for Dogs and Cats

These frozen treats take minutes to make and use ingredients you may already have on hand. Most work for both dogs and cats — just watch portion sizes.

•    Frozen bone broth cubes. Freeze onion-free, low-sodium bone broth in ice cube trays. A hit with both dogs and cats.

•    Pumpkin cubes. Pureed, plain (unsweetened) pumpkin freezes beautifully in ice cube trays.

•    Goat milk. In small amounts, goat milk is a dairy option that's easier for dogs and cats to digest than cow's milk.

•    Frozen Churu for cats. Freeze small dollops of a favorite puréed treat like Churu — many cats love the cold version even more.

•    Frozen fruits and veggies. Baby carrots, seedless watermelon chunks, blueberries, and cucumber chunks all freeze well for a flavorful, crunchy treat.

•    Dog-friendly ice cream. PupperCup is a healthy, non-dairy ice cream made just for dogs — and it comes in flavors they go wild for.

Foods That Hydrate: Boosting Water Intake in Hot Weather

Hydration matters year-round, but it's especially important in summer. Small tweaks to how you feed can add up to a lot more water in your pet's day.

•    Lean on wet food. Choose wet food over kibble when you can — it delivers far more moisture.

•    Add water or broth to meals. Stir a couple of teaspoons of water into a bowl of canned cat food, and a bit more into your dog's food. Bone broth works too.

•    Rehydrate freeze-dried food and treats. Many cats and dogs love freeze-dried options. They can be served dry, but letting them soak up water for a few minutes adds hydration. Bonus: they're lightweight, making them ideal for travel.

Boredom Busters: Indoor Enrichment for Cats and Dogs

When it's too hot to be outside, mental stimulation keeps boredom and anxiety at bay. Try a few of these indoor enrichment ideas.

•    Frozen lick mats. Spread a favorite wet food onto a lick mat and freeze for 20 minutes. Plain Greek yogurt or unseasoned meat baby food work well too; for dogs, try pumpkin or xylitol-free peanut butter. Always supervise — enthusiastic eaters can accidentally bite off and swallow bits of the mat.

•    Stuffed chew toys. Fill a hollow chew toy with a treat and freeze it — banana or bone broth are great choices.

•    Hide and seek. Hide small bits of kibble or treats around the room and let your pet hunt them down.

•    Treat-dispensing toys. Balls and toys that slowly release kibble as your pet plays are a favorite for both cats and dogs. The opening is often adjustable to fit whatever treat you choose.

More enrichment ideas to prevent boredom and anxiety:

•    Puzzle toys

•    A window bird feeder for bird watchers

•    Teaching new tricks for treats

•    Laser pointers, paper bags, and empty boxes for cats

•    Cat or fish videos — some cats will watch for hours

•    “Go fetch” for both cats and dogs — teach them to retrieve for a treat!

Summer Pet Treat FAQs

What are the best frozen treats for dogs in summer?

Easy favorites include frozen bone broth cubes (onion-free, low-sodium), plain pumpkin cubes, frozen blueberries or watermelon, and dog-specific frozen desserts like PupperCup. You can also freeze a treat inside a hollow chew toy for a longer-lasting snack.

Can cats eat frozen treats?

Yes. Cats often enjoy frozen dollops of a puréed treat like Churu, frozen bone broth cubes, or a lick mat with wet food frozen on top. Keep portions small and stick to cat-safe ingredients.

How can I get my pet to drink more water in hot weather?

Feed more wet food, stir a little extra water or bone broth into meals, and offer rehydrated freeze-dried food. Frozen treats add moisture too, and many pets drink more when a second water bowl is available.

Are lick mats safe for pets?

Lick mats are safe as long as you supervise. Enthusiastic eaters can accidentally bite and swallow pieces of the mat, so stay nearby and take it away once the food is gone.

Which foods are toxic to dogs and cats?

Avoid onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener in some peanut butters), grapes, raisins, and chocolate. Always choose plain, unsweetened, unseasoned versions of human foods, and check with your vet if you're unsure about an ingredient.

Keep Them Cool, Keep Them Busy

These are just a few of the many ways to help your pet cool down, stay hydrated, and stave off summer boredom. A little effort goes a long way — and they're absolutely worth it.

Want to stock up? Swing by any Pet Market location for lick mats, treat-dispensing toys, freeze-dried food, PupperCup, and more. Our team is always happy to help you find the right summer treats for your dog or cat.