Frozen Dog Treats. Okay, does anyone else’s pup basically melt into a sad little puddle when the temps go up? Mine sure does. It’s like the sun zaps every drop of energy out of him. So, I started making DIY frozen dog treats at home. Yeah, a little kitchen experiment—I’m not even fancy about it and, honestly, it’s a five-star restaurant experience for the dog. Seriously.
Before I learned how easy some of these treats were to whip up, I thought you had to buy them at a pet store or something. If you’re wanting fun ideas, check out my trick for quick treats with this related post on homemade dog snacks. Frozen Dog Treats really changed our summer afternoons.
Why Choose DIY Frozen Treats?
So here’s the thing about store-bought dog treats—they’re kind of a mystery. You flip the bag over and it’s like… “What are half of these ingredients?” That’s why DIY frozen dog treats are just better. For starters, you decide exactly what’s going into your dog’s belly. That’s peace of mind I like.
They’re surprisingly easy, too. There’s no rocket science. If you’ve got a freezer and some ice cube molds, you’re pretty much set. Plus, DIY lets you deal with food allergies. Maybe, like my own mutt, your dog can’t handle random fillers or weird additives. You skip all that stuff when you make it yourself.
And honestly, it costs way less. Those fancy store treats are like three times what it actually costs to make ‘em at home. You’ve already got most ingredients in your kitchen. Win-win, right?
Oh—and hard sell: they’re pretty photogenic. There’s something cute about a happy dog nose-deep in an icy snack you made yourself.
“My dog used to turn his nose up at everything but the most expensive treats, but your simple frozen dog treats made him do a happy dance in the kitchen! Now I make a big batch every weekend.” —Jessie from Texas
5 Refreshing DIY Frozen Dog Treat Recipes
If you want some frozen dog treat recipes that anyone can swing (even me, queen of shortcuts), here are a few of my go-tos. Some require three things, some five. None require chef skills (phew).
- Peanut Butter Banana Bites: Mash a banana, mix with a spoon or two of unsweetened peanut butter, spoon into ice cube trays. Freeze and boom—doggie soft serve.
- Watermelon Slushies: Blend seedless watermelon cubes with a bit of plain Greek yogurt. Pour into silicone molds. Super refreshing.
- Pumpkin Pops: Stir plain canned pure pumpkin with a splash of water. Drizzle into molds and freeze.
- Berry Simple: Grab blueberries, drop into compartments, and cover with plain low-fat yogurt. Set and forget in the freezer.
- Apple Chicken Cubes: Combine unsalted chicken broth with finely diced apples. Pour, freeze, done.
Some of these are rustic. No one’s judging if they’re ugly. Dogs don’t care, trust me.
Understanding Dog-Safe Ingredients
Look, not every food you’d put in your mouth is safe for your pup. Never, and I mean never, use chocolate, raisins, xylitol, or anything super sweetened. Stick to real fruit and veggies like bananas, carrots, apples (hold the seeds), blueberries, and pumpkin.
Certain yogurts work if there’s no artificial sweetener. Peanut butter is a classic, but make sure it’s xylitol-free (that bit is seriously important). Unsalted plain broths are excellent for an icy savory snack. Oh, and tiny amounts of honey are dog-okay—just not for puppies under a year.
It stinks to say it, but sometimes a treat that seems plain enough is loaded with sneaky extras. That’s why it’s smart to read every label (even if it’s just yogurt or broth), and plain is always best for frozen dog treats. I’ll just say—your vet is your best friend if you’ve got doubts about some weirdo ingredient. Better safe than a mad dash to the animal hospital, right?
DIY Frozen Dog Treat Tips
Wanna ace the frozen dog treats game? Here are my gold-star tips:
- Make small batches first to see what your dog likes—don’t go all in till you know.
- Use silicone molds or mini muffin pans; they pop right out with less drama than regular trays.
- Rinse fruit before you use it. Sounds basic, but I forget every time.
- Label your treats—ask me about the time I almost tossed them in my morning smoothie. Regrets.
Honestly, trial and error will help you figure out your dog’s favorites. If your dog snubs peanut butter (rude, but it happens), try switching to pumpkin. The possibilities honestly are endless, and the disasters are usually at least funny stories.
Treat Your Dog With Healthy Dog Food Options
Look, treats are fun, but don’t let ‘em replace good dog food. You want your dog to be healthy—so treats should just be, well, treats. I mix up the frozen dog treats with simple meals for balance. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little plain cooked chicken on their food to spice things up. But most days? Just a balanced kibble or wet food does the trick.
Treats help with training, or just as a ‘hey you’re cute’ surprise, but don’t overdo it. Frozen dog treats work best as a cool-down, not a diet plan. I keep some in a Ziploc hidden behind the peas, so the dog doesn’t give away my secret treat stash location. In other words: moderation. Trust me, dogs appreciate the surprise.
And hey, if you’re ever out of ideas or wanna get wild, check out these 11 Homemade Frozen Dog Treats Recipes to Cool Dogs Down for even more inspo. There’s literally no end to the ways you can spoil your dog (in a healthy way).
Ready to let your pup try something chilly? Give these a go. One last thing—don’t forget to share those “frozen dog treats” moments on your social. Dogs + snacks = internet gold, am I right?
Print
DIY Frozen Dog Treats
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 250 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dog Treats
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: DIY
- Diet: Dog-friendly
Description
Easy and healthy frozen treats for your dog to keep them cool during hot days.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened peanut butter
- Seedless watermelon cubes
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Plain canned pure pumpkin
- Unsalted chicken broth
- Finely diced apples
- Blueberries
- Low-fat yogurt
Instructions
- Mash the banana and mix with peanut butter; spoon into ice cube trays and freeze.
- Blend watermelon with Greek yogurt, pour into molds and freeze.
- Stir pumpkin with a splash of water; drizzle into molds and freeze.
- Drop blueberries into compartments and cover with yogurt, then freeze.
- Combine chicken broth with diced apples, pour, and freeze.
Notes
Make small batches first to see which treats your dog likes the most. Use silicone molds for easy removal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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