Dog Ice Cream Recipe is something I never really thought about, not until my goofy golden retriever started eyeing my popsicles with those big sad puppy eyes. If you’ve ended up here, I’m guessing you want a treat for your pup that’s homemade, safe, and, let’s be honest, way more fun than the generic stuff.
You want to know if these cooling treats are healthy too, right? Plus maybe find a few more ideas for homemade snacks. Before I learned this dog ice cream recipe, I tried everything under the sun—nothing got those tail wags like this did. Oh, and if variety is your thing, check out more homemade dog treats on this site.
Dog Ice Cream Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, making dog ice cream is ridiculously simple. I mean, if you can open a can and scoop a spoon, you’re golden. The main thing I love: I know what’s in it. There are no weird chemicals or mystery ingredients (some dog treats at the store make me nervous, not gonna lie). Another plus—you can tweak it a bit for picky pups. Don’t like pumpkin? Try banana. Mine loves both, by the way.
Let’s also talk mess factor. Regular ice cream melts everywhere, but this stuff stays in a nice little scoop—bonus for anyone with light-colored carpets. Plus, it’s honestly adorable to watch your dog stick their snoot into their own “ice cream” bowl. Oh, and sometimes I sneak a taste. I said what I said.
My friend Joe (hi Joe, if you’re reading) said,
“This is the one treat my rescue pup goes totally bananas for. It’s become our weekend ritual. She drools on the floor when I even open the freezer.”
Dog Ice Cream Recipe
Is It Healthy For Dogs To Eat Ice Cream?
Okay, the million-dollar worry. Regular ice cream from the store? Pretty much a no-go for dogs. The sugar, sometimes the xylitol (danger zone), not to mention a lot of dogs are lactose intolerant (did you know? I didn’t for years).
This dog ice cream recipe gets rid of all that, using dog-safe ingredients like yogurt and pumpkin. These help with digestion, and there’s some real fiber and protein in there. I’m not a vet though, so I won’t pretend—always check with yours if you want that extra safe feeling.
I will say, moderation is key. Treats are treats, not meals. Still, I haven’t met a dog who didn’t experience pure joy with this. Plus, you avoid the puppy “ice cream headache”—yes, they get those too.
More than once I’ve heard from friends who swear their pup’s tummies are happier with DIY stuff. That’s a win in my book—plus, my dog literally dances when she sees the ice cream mold come out. If that isn’t health, I don’t know what is.
Dog Ice Cream Recipe
How to Make Dog Ice Cream
So, here’s the part where I admit I am absolutely not a perfectionist. Some days I just plonk everything in a bowl, give it a good mix, and call it done. All you really need is a few ingredients, a mixing bowl, and some kind of mold—ice cube trays work perfectly.
You just combine plain, unsweetened yogurt (goat yogurt if you want to get fancy), canned pumpkin, and a bit of peanut butter. Mix until it looks creamy. Pour it into molds or silicone trays then pop those bad boys in the freezer. Wait a few hours (the hardest part). That’s basically it. Really, don’t overthink it.
And, oh—your dog will start circling the fridge around the two-hour mark. You might too.
Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never go back to buying overpriced, mysterious pints at the pet store.
Dog Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients for Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream
- 1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt (not the kind with fake sweetener)
- 1/2 cup pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling, big difference)
- 1/4 cup natural, unsalted peanut butter (double-check for xylitol, never ever use stuff with that)
That’s all you need. If your dog has allergies or a sensitive tummy, you could swap in mashed banana for pumpkin, or use coconut yogurt instead of dairy.
Dog Ice Cream Recipe
More Homemade Dog Treats Recipes
Some days, I make a treat plate—yes, like a five-star buffet, just for dogs. If you want more than one option, you should also check out frozen banana bites (literally just banana slices frozen with a dollop of peanut butter), oat and apple cookies, or even homemade sweet potato chews.
Here are some quick serving suggestions (this is the only bullet list, gotta follow my own messy rules):
- Tiny treats for training sessions—break the ice cream into little bites.
- Stuff a scoop into a Kong and keep your pup busy for a while.
- Fancy pup party? Layer the ice cream with a handful of blueberries.
- Or, let’s be real, just scoop some into their bowl on a hot day.
Dog Ice Cream Recipe
The best part: you feel like a total hero when you see that wagging tail. Never underestimate the power of a frozen treat to make a regular Tuesday feel like a celebration.
Conclusion
Honestly, if you haven’t tried a homemade dog ice cream recipe yet, your dog is seriously missing out. I love knowing exactly what’s in each bite, and it’s become such a fun thing my pup looks forward to. I get a lot of questions from friends about what other cool dog treats they can make at home. I always point them toward this awesome resource on Dog Ice Cream. A Frosty Paws copycat if you want even more inspired ideas.
Next time your dog gives you that longing look while you eat dessert, just freeze up a batch of these pupsicles. You’ll feel like the world’s best dog parent—because, honestly, you probably are.
Dog Ice Cream Recipe
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Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Ice Cream
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 250 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dog Treat
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: N/A
Description
A simple and healthy homemade ice cream for dogs using yogurt, pumpkin, and peanut butter. Perfect for cooling down your pup on hot days!
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt
- 1/2 cup pure canned pumpkin
- 1/4 cup natural, unsalted peanut butter
Instructions
- Combine the yogurt, pumpkin, and peanut butter in a mixing bowl.
- Mix until creamy.
- Pour the mixture into molds or ice cube trays.
- Freeze for a few hours.
- Serve to your pup and enjoy the joy it brings!
Notes
Feel free to substitute mashed banana for pumpkin or use coconut yogurt for a dairy-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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