We all love having an ice cream on a hot summer’s day, and so do our dogs. More and more ice cream brands are created for our canine companions on the market; however, what is dog ice cream made of?
Although commercial dog ice cream products are marketed as safe for pooches, they are not necessarily healthy. They contain additives such as corn oil, salt, gelatin, and artificial sweeteners. Thus, it is always best to make your own homemade dog treats. This allows you to take control of the ingredients used, making it healthier and safer for your pup to consume.
Here are 6 cool dog treat recipes you can share with your pooch.
Dog Yogurt Ice Cream Recipe
Yogurt is a healthy treat for dogs. It is rich in calcium and protein and a good source of good gut bacteria. Now that you know yogurt’s health benefits to dogs, turn it into yummy dog ice cream treats with this easy recipe.
What you need:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened, xylitol-free almond butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cups plain, non-fat yogurt
How to make this homemade dog ice cream:
- On a baking sheet, place silicone molds so that they are easy to transfer into the freezer. It also prevents accidental spilling of the dog ice cream mixture.
- In a food processor, blend all ingredients until well combined. The mixture should have a creamy texture.
- Pour the dog ice cream mixture into the silicone molds.
- Let them freeze until firm, typically overnight.
- Serve this delicious yogurt dog treats to your furry friend.
Recipe note:
- If you have an ice cream maker, the process will be a lot faster. Pour in a chilled ice cream mixture inside and let it churn for 20–45 minutes.
Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Ice Cream
Peanut butter and banana in dog ice cream is a tasty dog treat combo that leaves most pooches licking their lips in satisfaction. Here’s how to make dog ice cream sporting these fun flavors.
What you need:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup unsweetened, xylitol-free peanut butter
- 32 ounces plain, non-fat yogurt
- 3 peeled ripe bananas
How to make this homemade dog ice cream:
- In a blender, place the plain yogurt, banana, peanut butter, and honey. Pulse until they are smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture into ice cream cups.
- Place them in the freezer overnight.
- Get the banana peanut butter dog ice cream from the freezer. Let them thaw for about 10 minutes as they are likely to be frozen solid.
- Give your dog a few pieces of these doggie ice cream treats.
Homemade Frosty Paws Ice Cream
Frosty Paws are commercially made ice cream for dogs. If you want to get one for your pooch, no need to buy it online or at the pet store. Follow this recipe to create Frosty Paws ice cream in the comforts of your home.
What you need:
How to make this homemade dog ice cream:
- Place liners on a mini muffin tin.
- Put all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Use a mixer to combine them thoroughly. Once the dog ice cream mixture is smooth and creamy, it is done.
- Fill the lined mini muffin tin with the mixture to the top.
- Put in the freezer for up to 2 hours before serving to your dog.
- If you want a soft-serve dog ice cream, let it thaw for an hour.
Recipe note:
- Kefir is a good substitute for Greek yogurt for dogs. It is low in lactose, making it less likely to trigger a reaction from lactose-intolerant dogs.
Low-Fat Dog Ice Cream Recipe
Is your canine companion on a weight loss journey? Here is a skinny ice cream recipe for weight watcher pups to enjoy.
What you need:
How to make this homemade dog ice cream:
- Blend all ingredients thoroughly in a food processor.
- Pour more water into the dog ice cream mixture. Do this until you obtain the consistency you want.
- Pour the mixture into an ice tray.
- Freeze for 3 hours or more until solid.
- Let your pooch enjoy these dog-friendly ice cream treats.
Berry Dog Ice Cream Sandwich
Give your dog’s ice cream a little twist by transforming it into a yummy ice cream sandwich.
What you need:
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 10 chopped fresh dog-friendly berries ( eg, strawberries/ Blueberries )
- 1 cup strained plain Greek yogurt
For the dog cookie sandwich:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cups quick oats
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
How to make this homemade dog ice cream:
- In a large bowl, mash the strawberries using a fork until there are no small lumps left.
- Mix in the Greek yogurt and continue to mash until it has a puree-like consistency.
- Pour the strawberry dog ice cream mixture into an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 3 hours or overnight.
- Take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw for a few minutes.
- Dip a scooper in warm water. Shake off any excess.
- Scoop the dog ice cream and spread it between 2 cookies. Repeat this until all the cookies have a dog ice cream filling.
- Serve the berry dog ice cream to your furry buddy.
- If there is a remaining dog ice cream, place it in an airtight container once again. Store it inside the freezer. The dog ice cream can last for up to 8 weeks.
For the dog cookie sandwich:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Stir until the cookie dough has a crumbly texture.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out and knead the dough until it is ¼ inch thick.
- Cut out circles from the dough.
- Place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 17–20 minutes or until golden brown. The cookie sandwiches should be firm.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Put them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge.
Non-Dairy Dog Ice Cream Recipe
The presence of dairy products in dog ice cream can trigger stomach upset in many pooches. So we came up with a non-dairy dog-safe ice cream that is safe for lactose-intolerant dogs.
What you need:
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 cup chopped carrot
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
How to make this homemade dog ice cream:
- Pulse the pumpkin puree, chopped carrot, and maple syrup in the blender.
- Pour in half the coconut milk. Blend until properly incorporated.
- Continue to add coconut milk until you get the desired consistency.
- Spoon the dog ice cream mixture into ice cube trays.
- Freeze for at least 3 hours or until solid.
- Remove from the freezer and pop out a few cubes of these doggie desserts for your pooch to enjoy.