Homemade Frozen Dog Treats
We are in the heat of summer! Your pups can always use a fun and delicious way to cool off during these months, so we put together a list healthy frozen dog treats you can make at home!
“If your dog is too hot this summer, cool her off and make her happy with healthy homemade frozen dog treats like “pupsicles”! (1)
Dog-Friendly “Popsicles”
For a frozen fruit smoothie on a stick, make bananas the foundation of your dog’s treat. Slice a few bananas, then freeze the pieces for several hours. Next, mix the fruit with a few spoonfuls of plain yogurt in a food processor until you have a smooth base with the thickness of a milkshake.
Now you can blend in whatever mix-ins your dog would love. Consider bacon bits for a meaty treat, frozen strawberries and blueberries or pumpkin puree. When all the ingredients are blended together, pour into ice pop molds or paper cups, then freeze.
To release the “popsicles” from the molds, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes or run warm water over the mold for a few seconds. If you use paper cups, simply peel the paper off before serving. If you have a toy breed, try mini-water cups instead of full-size drinking cups.
Don’t use real, wooden popsicle sticks, which might be a choking hazard for your dog. Instead, try dog-safe alternatives. You can use bone-shaped dog biscuits, salmon skin treats, bully sticks, or any other stick-shaped, edible chew. For a safe yet non-edible stick, consider nylon chew bones. The stick will give your dog something to hold on to while licking and chewing the “popsicle.” Plus, chewing the stick will provide even more fun for your dog when the smoothie is gone. (2)
Frozen Kong Treats
Nothing could be easier than filling a sturdy dishwasher-safe, nontoxic, hollow, hard rubber toy such as a Classic Kong with any of the following ingredients before leaving it in the freezer. Block any extra holes to prevent leakage, leaving one large hole open for filling. Popular dog-safe ingredient options include:
Mashed ripe banana
Pureed soft fruit or vegetables (remove seeds or pits before blending)
Canned dog food
Nut butter (look for sugar-free peanut butter or other nut butters that do not contain xylitol)
Diced apple
Chopped or shredded carrots
Shredded unsweetened coconut
Plain unsweetened yogurt or kefir
Dog treats
Combine your dog’s favorite ingredients and fill the hollow toy. If desired, seal the top with a layer of peanut butter, squeeze cheese, or a dog treat paste such as Kong’s Stuffin’ Paste. Store the toy so its contents remain in place while freezing. For storage, keep frozen Kongs in a sealed freezer container or zip-lock bag. (1)
Soft-Serve Treats
For an ice cream alternative with the same texture and consistency as the real thing, try blending frozen fruit with plain, unsweetened yogurt. Watermelon is safe for dogs and most pets love it, so it makes a perfect choice for this recipe. Cantaloupe chunks are another excellent option. Be sure to remove the rind from either melon, and always feed sweet fruit treats in moderation, taking the calories they provide into account with your dog’s regular diet. (2)
