It’s been roasting these past few weeks, and with the best of summer yet to come, it’s only going to get warmer. Phoebe and Frank are like chalk and cheese when it comes to coping in the heat. You can’t get Phoebe off the sun lounger for love nor money, and Frank just wants to be laying in a shady dirt ditch.
This time of year our freezer is not only stocked with human ice lollies – because I’m team Frank when it comes to the heat – but also dog friendly ice cream that’s perfect for helping the Scamps cool off when it’s too warm.
Keeping cool can still be fun, and thanks to renowned family-owned ice cream brand Jude’s, there’s now a delicious, cooling ice cream treat for every member of the pack to enjoy.
Last summer, Jude’s – who I love for their salted caramel ice cream – launched their first ever flavour for dogs. The canine-friendly ice cream it part of a partnership with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, so not only does it taste good, it does good too.
Read more: Billy and Margot iced treats with real fruit
A tub costs £1.50, available from Ocado, and five per cent of sales go directly to supporting all the hard work the charity does for dogs and cats looking for new homes.
Sarah Van Kirk, licensing manager at Battersea, said: “Battersea is delighted to be working with an innovative and environmentally conscious UK-based company like Jude’s. We’re really excited about this collaboration with royalties from each product going directly towards the care of dogs and cats.”
The Hampshire-based business developed the plant-based product using real fruit purees, meaning both you and your pooch can enjoy the taste of Jude’s ice cream together this summer.
The strawberry, apple and banana ice cream is made up of water, 11 per cent strawberry puree, 11 per cent apple juice, 10 per cent banana puree, fructose, coconut oil and beetroot juice.
Read more: Frozzys – lickable frozen yoghurt to cool hot dogs
Each tub is 90ml and I find it’s the perfect size for Phoebe and Frank to have one each – any bigger, and I’d probably have them share. The ice cream itself smells really sweet and yoghurty, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to grab a spoon and tuck in myself (though I do have my own Jude’s in the freezer).
Not only are these great for cooling down hot pets in the warm weather – though we do only let the Scamps out for 10 minutes at a time – they also work as a calming enrichment tool. The act of licking releases endorphins which help the dog calm down in stressful situations, and so licking the ice cream pot is a great way to have your pet really chill out.
I often hold the pots for the dogs, because otherwise Frank will think Phoebe’s is better and try to pinch it, and Phoebe ends up tearing off all the packaging to eat it in one big lump. That said, holding the pots actually helps you build a stronger bond with your dog, and you can even use the ice cream pots in training. Recently, I’ve been teaching Phoebe and Frank to spin, guiding them with the pots, and rewarding them with licks of ice cream, making it a fun and exciting experience for them.
Read more: Frozen Furr Boost bones to help hydrate your dog this summer
Packed full of flavour and tasty fruits, Jude’s dog friendly ice cream is the perfect antidote to hot summer days, while also offering a heartwarming way to support a really important charity.
Chow Mezger, Jude’s managing director, added: “Our family Jack Russell, Tinker, loved being chief taste tester and we’re pleased to say that it has her full approval! Working with Battersea has also been fantastic, and we couldn’t be more proud to support their vital work to help dogs and cats everywhere.”
Pick up your own Jude’s ice cream for dogs here.
Read more: Frozen yoghurt Piña Colada treats