Help your canine companion beat the summer heat by treating him with these frozen dog treats. Try out these 5 easy frozen dog treat recipes.
1. Coconut Turmeric Frozen Dog Treats
Coconut milk provides your pooch extra hydration and helps keep his coat shiny despite the summer heat. We paired it with turmeric, an immune system booster with anti-inflammatory properties.
What you need for this frozen dog treat recipe:
- 13 ounces of unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ cup organic ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons organic honey
How to create coconut turmeric frozen dog treats:
- Place the coconut milk in a pot and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix in the turmeric and cinnamon while the coconut milk is simmering. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
- Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool down.
- Add honey to the mixture and stir until well combined.
- Pour into the silicone mold and freeze for around 1 hour.
- Transfer the coconut turmeric frozen dog treats to a Mason jar. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.
2. Minty Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats
Mint and parsley have odor-neutralizing agents that aid in preventing and combating stinky dog breath. Freshen up your furry pal’s breath all summer long by letting him snack on these homemade frozen dog treats.
What you need for this frozen dog treat recipe:
- 5 ounces plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped green apple
- 1 tablespoon honey
How to create minty frozen yogurt dog treats:
- Place the plain yogurt, mint, parsley, and green apple in a blender or food processor and pulse thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into a silicone mold or ice cube tray. Fill them about ¾ full.
- Drizzle the honey on top of the mixture.
- Allow it to freeze overnight. Once fully hardened, feed the minty frozen yogurt dog treats to your furry pal.
- Put any leftover frozen dog treats with yogurt inside a freezer bag and store them in the fridge.
3. 2-Ingredient Frozen Dog Treats
Pet owners with time constraints can quickly whip up frozen dog treats for their pooches using this easy recipe.
What you need for this frozen dog treat recipe:
- 1/3 cup raw goat milk
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
How to create 2-ingredient frozen dog treats:
- Put the raw goat milk and frozen strawberries in a blender or food processor.
- Blend thoroughly until they create a smooth consistency.
- Pour the mixture into bone-shaped silicone molds or ice cube trays.
- Let it freeze for 2–3 hours, and serve the homemade frozen dog treats to your canine friend.
- Store remaining frozen treats for dogs in an airtight container in the fridge. They can last for up to 3 days.
4. Chicken Broth Frozen Dog Treats
Chicken broth not only gives additional hydration to your canine friend but also plenty of minerals. It is rich in calcium, phosphorus, collagen, and gelatin, which are great for strengthening his bones and joints. Make frozen dog treats using chicken broth with this recipe.
What you need for this frozen dog treat recipe:
How to create chicken broth frozen dog treats:
- Pour water into a slow cooker and place the chicken inside. Let it cook overnight.
- Strain the mixture. Make sure to separate the chicken broth from the meat. Any bones should be discarded to prevent the risk of choking and mouth injuries.
- Allow the chicken broth to cool down completely.
- While waiting, place small pieces of chicken meat and cubed carrots in the bottom of each slot in the silicone mold.
- Once the chicken broth has cooled, remove the congealed fat on its surface.
- Pour the chicken broth carefully into the mold and freeze for about 4 hours.
- Serve the chicken broth frozen dog treats to your pooch. You can also use it as a dog food topper.
- Keep the remaining homemade dog treats in a sealed, air-tight Ziplock bag. They can be stored in the freezer for around 3–4 days.
Notes:
- If you do not own a slow cooker, you can cook the chicken in a pot. Let it boil on low fire for around 12–24 hours before removing it from the heat.
- Avoid using fatty parts of the chicken when making chicken broth. The skin, wings, and thighs have high concentrations of fat. The healthier alternative is the chicken breast, which is the leanest cut of the chicken.
5. Cantaloupe Pumpkin Frozen Dog Treats
Both the cantaloupe and pumpkin are fruits with high concentrations of water. Turning them into frozen dog treats increases your dog’s water intake and keeps him refreshed during the summer season.
What you need for this cantaloupe pumpkin frozen dog treats recipe:
- 1 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1 cup fresh diced cantaloupe
- 2 ripe sliced bananas
How to create cantaloupe pumpkin frozen dog treats:
- Put the banana and cantaloupe in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, pour the pumpkin puree, followed by the banana and cantaloupe mixture.
- Use a spatula to stir the ingredients properly until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a silicone mold or ice cube tray. Make sure not to fill it to the brim to avoid spillage.
- Let it freeze for at least 2 hours or until solid. Feed the frozen dog treats to your pooch.
- Transfer leftover cantaloupe pumpkin frozen dog treats to an airtight container. They can be kept in the freezer for at least a week.
Notes:
Never use pumpkin pie filling when making this frozen dog treat. Pumpkin pie filling has high levels of sugar and fat, which can contribute to canine health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and periodontal problems.
Pumpkin pie filling may also contain poisonous ingredients to canines, such as clover and nutmeg. Consuming it in excessive amounts can result in fatal toxicity.
6. Peanut Butter Blueberry Frozen Dog Treats
Create delicious homemade frozen sweet treats your dog loves by combining peanut butter and blueberries.
What you need for this peanut butter blueberry frozen dog treats recipe:
- 1/4 cup all-natural, unsweetened, and xylitol-free peanut butter
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
How to create peanut butter blueberry frozen dog treats:
- Use a blender or food processor to pulse the blueberries until they form a smooth mixture.
- Spoon peanut butter into ice cube trays, but only fill each slot halfway.
- Let the peanut butter set by placing the tray in the freezer for about 15–20 minutes.
- Take the tray out of the fridge and pour the blueberry mixture on top of the peanut butter.
- Drizzle the mixture with applesauce.
- Freeze again for at least 8 hours or overnight. Feed the peanut butter blueberry frozen dog treats to your canine friend once they are frozen solid.
- Transfer these frozen dog treats in ice cube trays to a freezer bag. You can store them inside the freezer for about a month.
Notes:
When choosing peanut butter for your dog, avoid brands that contain xylitol. It is an artificial sweetener that is used as a sugar substitute and is highly toxic to dogs.
Make peanut butter easier to pour into the ice cube trays by microwaving it for about 10–15 seconds. Exposing the peanut butter to heat gives it a softer consistency.
Picking Healthy Frozen Dog Treat Ingredients
Many pet owners frequently ask: “Are frozen treats good for dogs?” Frozen treats are good for dogs to keep them cool amid the summer heat. However, not all of them are canine-friendly.
Many store-bought frozen treats such as ice cream and smoothies contain harmful ingredients such as xylitol, preservatives, and additives.
While frozen dog treats are sold in pet shops, they are not entirely free from unhealthy ingredients. Many of them have high concentrations of sugar, and some are laden with preservatives too.
Now you might wonder: “What can I give my dog as a frozen treat then?” Consider making homemade frozen dog treats using dog-friendly fruits and vegetables such as carrots, strawberries, and bananas. They are cheaper and healthier options compared to commercially sold frozen treats for dogs.
Whipping Up Homemade Frozen Dog Treats
“How to make frozen dog treats?” is another most-asked question by dog owners. As we have shown in our recipes, creating frozen dog treats homemade is quite easy.
It generally involves mixing ingredients, pouring the blended mixture into containers, and letting it freeze until solid.
Other dog enthusiasts wonder: “How long do frozen dog treats last?” Frozen dog treats can last around a week to a month if kept in the freezer.
Do you suspect that the homemade frozen treats for your pooch are spoiled? Check for rancid odor, mold growth, and the presence of bugs. If any of these signs are present, time to throw them out and create a new batch.