Healthy Homemade Dog Ice Cream Recipe (& 2 Bonus Recipes)
Does your dog deserve a special treat? Homemade ice cream will do the trick! In fact, your dog will be happy to do as many tricks as you can think of in order to earn this creamy, dreamy dog dessert! As things heat up, we wanted to share one of the best dog ice cream recipes we’ve made. This delicious treat or snack is a great way to help your dog cool off after a warm walk or energetic romp at the dog park!
Our favourite dog ice cream recipe is easy, healthy, and tasty!
Why We Love Dog Ice Cream
As dog parents, we often want our dogs to indulge in the treats we enjoy. However, ice cream made for people isn’t a healthy snack for our dogs. It is high in sugar and high in fat (which can lead to pancreatitis for some dogs). Plus, a lot of our favourite varieties contain chocolate, which can also be harmful to dogs. Making ice cream specifically for your dog gives them an indulgent dessert they can enjoy while you enjoy yours!
Additionally, when you DIY your dog’s ice cream, you can turn an unhealthy dessert into a snack rich in health benefits.
Finally, offering your dog a cold snack can help them drop their core body temperature when the weather is hot. This can reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Plus, enjoying a bowl of creamy, dreamy ice cream is fun for you and your dog!
Why We Love This Recipe
We tested a lot of recipes and our dogs enjoyed this one the most. We also love that you can switch out the toppings or add other ‘goodies’ to the base to provide your dog with more variety. Plus, this recipe only takes about 10 minutes to make (with the exception of freezing time).
This recipe does turn out a little on the icy side, but we encountered that with every healthy recipe we devised. This is because the ingredients that keep ice cream creamy (like sugar and cream) are unhealthy for our dogs. BUT we love that this recipe results in a dessert that keeps our dogs occupied for a while.
Homemade Pumpkin Dream Dog Ice Cream
When the heat index is creeping up, it’s a great idea to prep some home ice cream cubes! So, add these ingredients to your shopping list as summer nears and set aside a bit of freezer space for this yummy dog dessert!
Ingredients:
- 454g plain Greek yoghurt
- 425g can pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
- 1 medium banana
- 125ml peanut butter (smooth or chunky, your call)
- Cooking spray
- Ice cube trays
Instructions:
- Mash your banana until creamy.
- Mix your pumpkin puree, banana, and peanut butter into the Greek yoghurt.
- Spray, then fill your silicone moulds with the batter.
- Then freeze overnight.
Fun Toppings or additional goodies to mix In
- Shredded carrot
- Blueberries
- Ground peanuts*
- Chopped bacon*
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Coconut Oil
*Don't go to overboard with these toppings as despite their deliciousness they are high in fat!
Bonus Summer Treat Recipes for Your Dog
Looking for more recipes to jazz up your dog's summer? Try one of these!
Minty Fresh Freezer Drops
Our dogs can’t get enough of these frozen mint treats. What makes them a top pick among pups? Mint can be quite refreshing during the heat of summer–plus it freshens up your doggos breath.
Mint and parsley also provide some excellent health benefits. Parsley can reduce inflammation and aid in digestion while mint is antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral - fighting bacteria that can cause bad breath, gum disease, and infection.
These simple treats are perfect for a quick treat after a summer walk or as a snack while you and your dog bask in the warmth of summer in the backyard.
Ingredients:
- 250g coconut oil
- 60ml chopped parsley
- 60ml chopped mint
Instructions:
- Warm your coconut oil over a double boiler or pan of boiling water.
- Once the coconut oil is soft, stir in the mint and parsley.
- Pour into silicone moulds and freeze overnight
*Keep in mind coconut oil is high in fat, so dogs should only be treated once a day and should not exceed more than 1 teaspoon.
Playtime Pup Poppers
A toy filled with a frozen treat is a great way to keep a dog or puppy entertained while alighting all five of their senses. For this reason, we wanted to encourage you to amp up the fun with a savoury recipe that is easy to scoop into your dog’s favourite tough stuff toy!
Ingredients:
- 250g mashed potato
- 125g shredded lactose free cheese
- 125g plain cottage cheese
- 60g shredded chicken
Instructions:
- Mix all of your ingredients
- Spoon into your dog’s treat toy.
- Freeze overnight!
Keep Your Dog Made in the Shade with a Cool Treat!
If the way to your dog's heart is through their stomach, then these recipes are a surefire way to make their heart beat a little faster. We hope you enjoy making them and making some fun summer memories with your dog, too!
