Meowsicle Recipe: Cool Kitty Off With a Berry Cat Popsicle

Nothing’s more refreshing on a hot summer day than an ice-cold popsicle—so why not let your cat in on the tasty fun, too?

A delicious DIY cat treat, cat popsicles (aka “catsicles” or “meowsicles”) are super easy to make. They require just a few simple ingredients, including strawberries and blueberries, both of which provide a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

You can make different kinds of popsicles, too, depending on what your cat likes to—and can—eat. For creamy catsicles, use unflavored, unsweetened and xylitol-free Greek yogurt (our recipe below). For lactose-intolerant cats, swap the Greek yogurt with cat-friendly bone broth (like Made By Nacho’s bone broth) or milky cat milk (like CatSip). Or simply make popsicles with a blend of their favorite wet cat food and water.

Of course, these cat-friendly popsicles are a summer treat that should only be served sparingly—because they’re just that, treats. And treats (whether store-bought or homemade cat treats) should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calorie intake, with the rest being their completed and balanced cat food.

Before serving this treat to your cat, consult with your veterinarian.

• Silicone popsicle mold
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Blender

• 8 tbsp Greek yogurt** (unsweetened, unflavored, xylitol-free)
• 2 strawberries, chopped
• 4-8 blueberries, cut in half
• Optional: 2 meat tender sticks (like Sheba Meaty Tender Sticks)

• Yield: 4 popsicles
• Serving size: ½-1 popsicle*
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Freeze time: 6 hours-overnight

1. If putting the popsicles on tender sticks, cut the tender sticks in half long-ways and slide through the popsicle stick holes, before filling each mold. If using vertical popsicle molds, you’ll insert the tender sticks after filling each mold. Cover each mold with aluminum foil and gently cut a small “X” into the middle using the knife.

2. De-stem and chop strawberries into small, bize-size chunks. Add to blender with 4 tbsp Greek yogurt. Blend until smooth. Pour blended yogurt into two of the molds. (Ice cube trays work well, too!) If using cat milk or bone broth instead of Greek yogurt, pour 1 tbsp of cat milk or broth into each popsicle mold, add diced strawberry, then add the rest of the milk or broth.

3. Blend blueberries and the rest of the Greek yogurt until smooth. Pour blended yogurt into remaining two molds. If using cat milk or bone broth instead of Greek yogurt, pour 1 tbsp of cat milk or broth into each popsicle mold, add cut blueberries, then add the rest of the milk or broth.

4. Freeze for 6 hours or overnight. To serve, carefully remove the meowsicle from the mold.

Each popsicle ranges from 26.5 to 34 calories. (Strawberries have more calories than blueberries, and Greek yogurt has more calories than bone broth and cat milk).

Now, it’s time to do a little math…

Treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your cat’s diet (and if your cat is overweight, it should be even less than that). For example, if your cat needs 200 calories per day, they should have no more than 20 calories from treats. And when serving your cat a new treat, start with smaller servings.

So, does your cat love it? It’s a tasty way to keep your cat cool in the summer, right? Treat your kitty another one of our favorite recipes, flower-shaped cranberry cookies.

* This recipe was reviewed by a veterinarian. It is intended as a treat or snack. Treats should only constitute a small percentage of your pet’s daily food. Feeding too many treats can lead to nutrient deficiencies. If your pet has health issues (including sensitivities to fats) or if you have any concerns, consult your pet’s veterinarian before offering this food item.

** If your cat is lactose intolerant, swap the Greek yogurt with cat-friendly bone broth or cat milk that’s safe for both kittens and adult cats. Do not feed adult cats cat milk for kittens.