The essentials
- Frozen “pupsicles” can be healthy treats — Our dog popsicle recipes feature a blend of dog-friendly fruits and other ingredients like peanut butter, oats, or yogurt. Your dog will think they’re yummy, and they’re packed with beneficial nutrients without added sugar.
- Popsicles aren’t just for summer — Frozen treats usually keep us cool during hotter months, but we’ve also included a coffee-free pumpkin spice recipe that’s perfect for when weather cools down and blankets come out.
- You can create your own DIY popsicle recipes with a few key ingredients — Making human-grade doggie pops is so simple because you can use common ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Less time running to the store for special ingredients means more time at home with your furry friend.
The dog days of summer are upon us. Your dog always needs access to fresh water, but coming home to a frozen dog popsicle is extra refreshing after a long afternoon of romping in the park. Store-bought popsicles for dogs can be expensive, but homemade ones can come cheap, especially if you already buy fruit in bulk.
These DIY dog popsicle recipes use fresh ingredients that make them an easy and affordable treat you can make in minutes. You’ll just need to let them chill for a few hours, so plan to make them in the morning before you take your dog on their next adventure.
Why frozen dog treats are a healthy choice
One of the biggest perks about making your own doggie treats is that you know exactly what you’re feeding your dog. Some dog treats can be loaded with preservatives you’d never want to eat, but these frozen dog treat recipes are safe for human consumption.
You can go ahead and make some for you, too, so you and your dog can enjoy snacking together. Just be aware that they won’t be as sweet as treats made for people, since they don’t contain any added sugar or artificial flavors.
Types of frozen dog treats
While it might be tempting to only think of one or two treats when you consider some frozen goodies for your dog, there are a variety of ways you can treat your dog to a frosty treat on a hot summer day. Here are a few options your pup will love.
- Popsicles. While it’s best to avoid store-bought popsicles made for you, dog-safe popsicles are a fun and delicious alternative.
- Frozen fruits and vegetables. Freeze your dog’s favorite treat overnight and give it to them as a crunchy surprise. For dogs that love texture as well as flavor, you can’t go wrong!
- Bone broth treats. Creating a bone broth treat (recipe below) that provides nutrition and taste is a great way to beat the heat and get important vitamins and nutrients to your dog.
Fun ingredient ideas for frozen dog treats
If you have fresh or frozen fruit such as blueberries, watermelon, or bananas, you can make your own doggie pops. Other ingredients like yogurt, peanut butter, or oatmeal will add a premium touch, and give your dog nutrients such as protein and fiber.
Below is a list of common human foods dogs can safely eat. Feel free to mix and match to create your own flavors!
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Unsweetened yogurt
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- Bananas
- Pumpkin
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Coconut
- Watermelon
- Oats
- Oat milk
- Cottage cheese
👉 If you’re using peanut butter, make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol, which is poisonous for dogs.
It’s also best to use unsweetened peanut butter if possible. If your dog tolerates dairy, you might try to include unsweetened yogurt in some of your recipes because it’s an excellent source of probiotics, which can give their digestion a healthy boost. However, it’s no problem if your dog needs to skip dairy products. You can simply substitute milk or yogurt for unsweetened oat milk.
Ingredients to avoid
While there are many safe choices for your pet, never give your dog these dangerous ingredients:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Vanilla extract
Fruit can be a yummy and colorful ingredient for your popsicles, but make sure to never give your dog any part of the pits or seeds. Apple seeds in particular contain a trace amount of cyanide.
Health benefits of frozen dog treats
Many ingredients in a DIY frozen dog treat, particularly the ones we’ve listed below, have health benefits for your dog.
- Fruits and veggies. Just like people, dogs benefit from certain fruits and vegetables. Calcium, fiber, magnesium, iron, and a variety of lettered vitamins are all present in the fruits and vegetables included in our recipes.
- Fermented foods. Fermented foods, like yogurt and cottage cheese, introduce good bacteria into your dog’s gut, promoting a healthy digestive system.
- Beef (and other) bones. Bone broth is rich in collagen, calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pup. You can also make broth out of any kind of animal bone, as long as there’s enough marrow!
Six frozen dog treats your pup will love
Treat your dog to these six frozen dog treats today and find their new favorite!
1. Watermelon and blueberry popsicles
Is there anything cuter than watching a couple Cavaliers crunch on homemade popsicles? We didn’t think so. These patriotic-colored pops by Herky the Cavalier would make festive Fourth of July treats, but they’re tasty enough for your pup to enjoy anytime you can find watermelon and blueberries.
Watermelon is excellent for your dog because it refreshes them on a hot summer’s day, and keeps them hydrated by supplying them with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. The seeds can obstruct your dog’s GI system, so it’s important to buy seedless watermelons or make sure the seeds are completely removed before blending them into tasty treats.
The blueberries add a pop of color and some extra antioxidants. Also, the American Veterinary Medical Association advises everyone to wash fruits and vegetables prior to feeding them to your dog.
Watermelon and blueberry popsicles recipe
Ingredients
- 3 slices of seedless watermelon
- 2 TBSP blueberries
Directions
- Slice the watermelon, being careful to remove all of the rind.
- Wash the blueberries.
- Crush the watermelon by hand or with a blender or food processor if you have one. Pour the blended watermelon in a few popsicle molds, and sprinkle a handful of washed blueberries on top.
- Pop the mold into the freezer for about four hours until the treats are set.
2. Berry banana blast freeze pops
Writer Brooke Bundy's dog Tuggles waits patiently for the making of a berry banana blast freeze pop.
These popsicles will be the first thing on your dog’s mind when they need to chill out after a fun day of play. Blueberry-banana is a popular combination in human and dog fruit snacks, packing in antioxidants and potassium. Peanut butter is a perennial protein-packed favorite amongst puppers.
If your dog can tolerate dairy, we recommend adding some unsweetened probiotic yogurt for tummy support. I made these Berry Banana Blast Freeze Pops from scratch in my kitchen where they were eagerly tested by Tuggles the Maltipoo, my dog and blueberry connoisseur. He fully approved.
Berry banana blast freeze pops recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup blueberries
- ½ ripe banana
- 1 TBSP xylitol-free peanut butter
- ¼ cup yogurt
Directions
- Rinse and drain the blueberries in your hands or in a colander in the sink.
- Place half of a peeled banana in the base of a blend, or mash with a fork if you prefer to mix by hand. Add the blueberries, 1 TBSP peanut butter, and ¼ cup yogurt. Blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze for at least an hour, or until set.
3. Banana cream pie popsicle
Dog popsicle recipe ingredients include items you may already have on hand such as bananas, peanut butter, milk, and honey.
Nothing says summer’s here like banana cream pie. This recipe takes four simple ingredients and combines them into a decadent snack for your pup that could double as dessert for you. You could use yogurt instead of oat milk if you prefer, depending on your dog’s health needs. Just make sure that whatever you choose is unsweetened, as dogs don’t need added sugar.
Banana cream pie popsicles recipe
Ingredients
- ½ banana
- 1 TBSP xylitol-free peanut butter
- ⅓ cup unsweetened oat milk
- 1 TBSP honey
Directions
- Blend or mash ½ of a peeled banana.
- Add 1 TBSP peanut butter, ⅓ cup unsweetened oat milk, and 1 TBSP honey. Combine by blending or stirring with a spoon until you have a smooth texture.
- Pour into your popsicle molds and freeze for at least one hour, or until set.
4. Oat & apple pops
After pouring the dog popsicle batter into a plastic mold, we let it sit in the freezer for an hour. Serve solo or add a dog biscuit or carrot in place of the traditional wooden stick, which can be a choking hazard.
These back-to-school themed pops taste like a blended peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the grapes or added sugar, both of which are bad for dogs. On the contrary, these oat & apple pops are very beneficial for your dog because they contain whole grain oats, a heart-healthy source of fiber, and peanut butter, which provides protein. Applesauce is rich in vitamin C, and oat milk is a great choice for dogs who are lactose intolerant.
Oat & apple pops recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup xylitol-free peanut butter
- ¼ cup oats
- ¼ cup oat milk
Directions
- Place all ingredients in a blender or small bowl. Blend or stir until combined.
- Pour into your popsicle mold. Let it sit undisturbed in your freezer for at least an hour, or until set.
5. Pumpkin spice latte popsicles
The pumpkin spice craze isn't just for humans — dogs will enjoy this pumpkin (but spice-free) fall treat.
Although summer is the supreme popsicle season, the frozen fun doesn’t have to end when fall arrives. As you curl up on your sofa with your long-awaited pumpkin spice latte, give your dog a coffee-free pumpkin spice alternative that’s gentle on their tummies and tasty to their tongues.
Better yet, it’s healthier than a “pup cup” of sugary whipped cream from your local coffee shop, and a safe choice for dogs who don’t do dairy-free. Always check the can of pumpkin carefully to make sure you’re buying pure canned pumpkin, not canned pumpkin pie mix, which can contain harmful sugar and spices.
Pumpkin spice latte popsicles recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
- ½ cup oat milk
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
Directions
- Measure out ½ cup pumpkin into the bottom of your blender, or small bowl. Add ½ cup oat milk and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Combine until smooth.
- Pour into mold and let sit in the freezer for at least one hour.
6. Frozen broth biscuits
Bone broth has a lot of benefits for both humans and dogs. Stock and bone broth are created the same way — in both cases, items are simmered over typically between five and seven hours. From there, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or the freezer for a month. While your bone broth is likely more flavorful and may include other ingredients, for your dog a simple bone broth is a very healthy choice!
Bone broth biscuits recipe
Ingredients
- Eight pounds of mixed beef bones (such as leg and knuckle bones, or any marrow)
- Four carrots (cut in half to allow for better absorption)
- Three stalks of celery
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Put all of the bones and marrow into a deep pot and cover with water; bring to a boil, then let it simmer for about 20 minutes to remove impurities.
- Drain and rinse bones under cold water, then transfer to a baking sheet. Add your vegetables to another baking sheet, and then bake both for about 30 minutes, or until vegetables are golden brown.
- Add bones and cooked vegetables to the pot again, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil before reducing heat to allow the pot to simmer.
- Over the next five to seven hours, occasionally skim off fat and foam that will rise to the top. Once the water is a deep brown, remove from heat.
Once cooled to room temperature, pour bone broth into molds (like these cute doggie molds!) and store in the freezer for up to two months.
Tips for homemade dog popsicle recipes
Making popsicles is a fun and enjoyable way to keep your dog cool and hydrated during the hottest parts of the year, and treat them with healthy snacks year-round. All you need to make dog popsicles is a little bit of free time and some healthy ingredients. You also need something to serve as a popsicle mold, whether that be ice cube trays, silicone baking pans, or popsicle molds made for humans or dogs. You can use 1-cup-sized popsicle molds designed for dogs, or improvise with what you have on hand. You might want to tailor the exact measurements in the recipes around what equipment you use, but the proportions will be the same.
Safety considerations while giving frozen treats
While making homemade frozen dog treats is a great experience for both you and your dog, it’s also important to realize that some treats can be dangerous. Here are a few things to watch out for when creating and providing your dog with DIY dog treats.
- Choking hazard. Consider your dog’s size and their eating habits when selecting a mold. Will they take time to chew, or will they swallow a smaller treat whole and risk choking? Never leave your dog unattended when giving them treats.
- Allergies. Some dogs have food allergies . While this may necessitate DIY dog treats or homemade pet food, it’s also important to pay attention and make sure that you aren’t introducing an allergen that you’ve worked to eliminate.
- Serving size. Treats are great, but excessive treats can have not-great consequences. Keep portion control and serving size in mind when giving your dog yummy treats.
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Frequently asked questions
Are frozen dog treats good for you?
While it’s best to consult with your vet before introducing anything new to your dog, typically DIY dog treats, when done carefully and with attention to detail, are a healthy choice for most dogs and a great way to beat the summer heat.
What frozen treats can I make my dog?
Simply freezing their favorite, prepared fruit or vegetable is a great way to make a quick treat. You can also create bone broth biscuits, pup cups, and popsicles!
Does peanut butter freeze for dogs?
Yes, peanut butter freezes, although the denser the container (e.g. a large tub vs a teaspoon glass) the longer it takes. Spread xylitol- free peanut butter in thinner layers to promote faster freezing.
What should I freeze for my dog?
Dog-safe fruits, vegetables, plain yogurts, and even dog-safe bone broth can be frozen in molds to create a tasty treat for dogs to enjoy during hot summer days, or while cuddling with you in the house during the winter. And if you don’t have any fun molds on hand, plain old ice cube trays will work just as well!
