Blog DIY Frozen Dog Treats

As a pet owner, you likely spoil your dog and give them tasty treats occasionally. However, there are consequences for giving dogs store-bought treats. Each year, 300 million pounds of treat bags and pet food are manufactured. 

Nearly all the packing cannot be recycled. It eventually ends up in a landfill, contributing to pollution on the earth and the oceans. DIY dog treats save on waste better than premade alternatives.

The treats below are excellent summer dog treats your dog will enjoy and not increase the carbon ‘pawprint.’ They are frozen dog treat recipes. These treats are easy to make and healthy for the dog. They are safe for humans who are curious about the taste.

Making DIY frozen dog treats is as simple or complicated as you want. You can make a wide selection of creative concoctions based on your available options and the flavors your dog prefers. 

The process does not have to be time-consuming or difficult. Many frozen dog treats are made from ingredients such as fresh fruit that you have on hand. There are some ingredients to avoid. They include:

• • Chocolate
  • Grapes
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Onions
  • Raisins

Check to ensure the ingredients do not contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol. 

To make frozen dog treats, you need a food processor or blender and something to shape and hold the treats while freezing. It can be silicone molds, paper cups, popsicle molds, or ice cube trays. 

Delicious Frozen DIY Dog Treat Recipes

Blueberry Yogurt Dog Smoothie

If you always have frozen fruit in the freezer, this DIY dog treat recipe is easy to throw into the mix of summertime. Blend a handful of blueberries and some unsweetened, low-fat Greek yogurt. Scoop some of the smoothies into the dog bowl, and let your pet enjoy the cooling, fruity treat you made for them.

Frozen Banana Treats

Blend pineapple and watermelon with a thick slice of banana for an excellent, healthy dog treat any dog will love. If your pet likes bananas, it will be wild about this treat.

Apple Carrot Cubes

This is an easy recipe. Blend an apple, carrot, and some water. Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it.

After you freeze the treats, they must be stored in the freezer in an air-tight, reusable container, which is more environmentally friendly than zip-lock plastic bags. 

Frozen dog treats are healthy dog summer snacks but should be limited to ten percent of the pup’s daily food intake, especially if the ingredients are things like yogurt or peanut butter, which are high in calories and fat, and can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Supervise your dog when they eat frozen treats. Chewing on ice can be hazardous for aggressive chewers. If they chew too hard, it can lead to oral pain or a broken tooth. When excited, dogs may try to swallow the entire treat in one bite, which poses a choking hazard. 

Frozen Carrot Yogurt

This is one of dog owners’ favorite treats. You need plain yogurt and shredded carrots. If a pet is allergic to dairy, you can use chicken broth, bone broth, or water. Blend until the mixture is smooth. 

Pour the mixture into ice cream trays or silicone molds. Leave space at the top because the mixture will expand as it freezes. Freeze for a minimum of four hours or until the treats are hard. It is the ideal dog treat for a warm day.

Cantaloupe Ice Cream

Cantaloupe ice cream could not get any easier to make. Freeze-dried cantaloupe. Blend it with plain yogurt. You can talk about health and ice cream in the same sentence. Substitute any melon or milk product your pet likes and can tolerate.

Chicken Broth Ice Cubes

The chicken-flavored treats are a ‘cool’ way to sneak in lean protein. Freeze low-sodium chicken broth in an ice cube tray. Let your pet lap at the refreshing, tasty snack. To stimulate your pet mentally, make the treat enticing by placing a piece of fruit or chicken in the tray with the broth before freezing. It gives the dog something to work for.

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Peanut butter banana ice cream is a scrumptious treat to spoil your pet for no reason or beat the heat of the dog days of summer. It is also a tasty treat for humans. Make a double batch and share it with members of the family who are not four-legged.

• Freeze a ripe banana for four hours or more:
• Blitz a banana
• Two tablespoons of peanut butter
• Two tablespoons of yogurt in the blender

Freeze the mixture until solid, or serve immediately with a dollop of fruit or dog-friendly cookies sprinkled on top.

Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin dog treats have health benefits. They are full of fiber that strengthens the digestive system and are rich in minerals, such as iron and potassium, which support heart health. To make the frozen treats, spoon the puree into molds. Pumpkin should be the only ingredient in the puree. Place in the freezer until solid. Your pet will appreciate the chilly double treat.

Pup-sicles

Dogs and humans can enjoy another frozen treat. It is packed with healthy protein and fruit but is not sweetened so it may be better suited for pets.

Blend ½ cup strawberries, ½ cup whole blueberries, ½ of a banana, thinly sliced, and a cup of yogurt. Pour into popsicle molds and add a pretzel stick to each popsicle. Freeze for four to five hours before serving. 

Triple-Layer Frozen Fruit Treats

Combine these three ingredients to make a special treat for your pet in a triple-layer recipe: pair 1½ cups of yogurt with 3 cups of blended cantaloupe and 1 cup of frozen blueberries. 

Scrub the melon, slice it in half, peel it, remove the seeds, and dice it into quarters. Place the cantaloupe in the blender until smooth. Put two blueberries in each muffin tin section and squash a bit.

Add one tablespoon of yogurt to the berries and top with pureed cantaloupe. Freeze for two to four hours or overnight.

Watermelon Dog Ice Cream

Can you imagine anything more summery than watermelon? Dogs love it as much as people. Leftover watermelon can be turned into a treat your dog cannot resist. It is ideal for picnics, barbecues, or because it is on sale.

Wash the watermelon before cutting it. Dice a few cups and remove the seeds. Place them in the freezer for four hours. Blend 1½ cups of watermelon in a blender. Add ¼ cup of yogurt and blend again. 

Adjust the texture and flavor by adding more yogurt or fruit. Serve immediately.

Other Ways to Keep Dogs Cool in the Summer

If you exhaust this list of DIY frozen dog treats, there are other ways to cool dogs and help beat the heat. They include:

• Adding ice cubes to the water bowl
• Going for a swim
• Setting up a fan for the dog
• Using a cooling bed or cool, wet towel
• Make sure the pet has plenty of shade

Adding ice cubes to room-temperature water allows dogs to enjoy crisp, cool water that is not too chilly. Summer is also ideal for visiting a dog-friendly reservoir, lake, or beach.

‘Cool’ Place for Your Pet

In West Palm Beach, Very Important Paws is a place where animal lover can take their furry friends if they are in need of short or long-term dog boarding in West Palm Beach or a play day with other dogs. Our staff members offer pet treats similar to those mentioned above. 

Our pet paradise offers a luxury dog hotel, dog toys, dog training, and grooming in West Palm Beach. Call today to reserve a spot for your pup!