Looking for cute homemade treat ideas for your dog? Frozen treats are a great way to incorporate your dog’s favorite human foods into their diet in small doses. They’re also perfect for those hot summer days when you’re looking for any way to keep your pup cool.
Frozen treats are a good option for dogs that tend to scarf down treats faster than you can give them. They extend the amount of time your dog gets to spend enjoying their treat. Here are our favorite frozen dog treat recipes you can try out with your furry friend.
Considerations for Homemade Dog Treats
Toxicity
There are many human foods for pups to enjoy safely and healthily, but there are also some that can be harmful or toxic. When making any type of homemade treat, you should always research the ingredients to ensure it’s safe for your dog.
Allergies
Even if an ingredient is generally healthy for dogs to eat, some dogs may develop allergies or intolerances to certain foods.
Food allergies in dogs are actually fairly rare, only affecting about 0.2% of dogs. However, when your dog tries a new food for the first time, it’s important to look out for signs of allergies, including:
- Red or inflamed skin
- Scratching
- Excessive licking or chewing of paws
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive gas
- Lethargy
Overfeeding
Whether you make your own frozen dog treats or buy them from a store, it’s always important to give your pooch treats in moderation. The general consensus is that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's total diet.
Giving your dog too many treats could result in:
- Weight gain
- Bloating
- Joint pain
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Digestive distress
1. Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
These Pumpkin Peanut Butter Frozen Dog Treats are adorable, delicious, and simple to make.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 100% pumpkin puree (with no additives)
- Non-fat yogurt
- Unsalted peanut butter
Peanut butter can be a great source of protein and healthy fats as long as there are no seasonings or additives. Pumpkin also contains a number of nutritious vitamins and minerals, but should also be free of seasoning or additional ingredients.
Just mix up these ingredients thoroughly, place them in an ice tray or roll them into small bite-sized balls, and store them in the freezer until they’re ready to serve.
2. Frozen Apple Carrot Cubes
If you're looking for an easy and quick recipe for dog treats, these Frozen Apple Carrot Cubes are a great option. All you need is a peeled carrot, an apple (be sure to remove the core), and some water. Mix these ingredients into a puree with a mixer or blender before pouring into an ice tray and leaving in the freezer until solid.
These treats are perfect for a hot summer day. Apples are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C. They can even help freshen your dog's breath. Carrots are also packed with vitamin A and antioxidants for general health.
3. Blueberry Frozen Dog Treats
These Blueberry Frozen Dog Treats offer a refreshing snack for pups of all ages and sizes. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Non-fat, unsweetened yogurt
- Blueberries
- Banana (for taste and texture)
Just puree the ingredients in a blender, freeze in an ice tray, and you’re all set. Be sure to use fresh or frozen blueberries that haven’t been dried or artificially sweetened, as these tend to have additives that can be harmful to your dog’s health.
4. Watermelon Pop Treats
You only need two ingredients for this Dog Watermelon Popsicles recipe: plain yogurt and fresh watermelon chunks. You can also buy a full watermelon at the store and cut it up yourself – just make sure you remove all the seeds before you use it to make the treats.
Simply blend the two ingredients together until you have a thick puree and pour it into molds before you freeze them. The high water content in the watermelon can help with dehydration and keep your pup nice and cool on a hot day.
5. Strawberry Frozen Dog Treats
This simple recipe for Strawberry Frozen Dog Treats only requires three ingredients, which you may already have on hand: strawberries, yogurt, and a dash of honey. The strawberries and honey offer a sweet, nutritious treat without the need for added sugar, which can be bad for dogs.
To make these treats, just remove stems from the strawberries and slice them into smaller pieces. Then mix them up in a blender with some yogurt and honey until you’re left with a smooth puree.
Fill up your ice molds all the way to the top and leave the treats to freeze for at least three hours before serving.
6. Frozen Dog Treat Bowl
A frozen dog treat bowl is super simple and fun to make. It’s just a frozen block of ice with toys, kibble, or treats trapped inside. Your dog has to lick their way through the frozen ice to get to their reward.
Frozen dog treat bowls last a long time and offer mental stimulation and enrichment as well as delicious snacks. They also help your pup stay cool and hydrated on hot summer days.
You can make these bowls simple or add layered ingredients for added fun and nutrition. The Dink Dog Mom has a blog post all about how to layer ingredients to make a frozen dog treat bowl.
Add to the Fun With Bone or Paw-Shaped Ice Molds
You can use any ice tray you have sitting in your freezer to make frozen treats for your pup. But you can also buy adorable ice molds that are shaped like paws or bones – like these ones on Etsy – to make the treats extra special. They also keep your dog’s frozen treats separate from ice cubes or popsicles you’re making for your human family members.
Final Thoughts
Frozen dog treat recipes allow you to extend your dog’s treat time, keep them cool and hydrated, and introduce nutritious new foods into their diet in small amounts. There are many recipes to try, and it’s fun to see which ones your dog loves the most.