Searching for a frozen treat for your furry friend? Many dogs love ice cream, but you don’t want to give them regular people ice cream.
Fortunately, there are plenty of homemade dog ice cream recipes (and at least one commercial dog cream product) you can use to spoil Spot!
Below, we’ll share some of the best DIY ice cream recipes so that you can craft a cool treat for your canine.
Can You Give Dogs Regular Ice Cream?
In short, it’s not a great idea.
While some dogs can handle a tiny amount of vanilla ice cream, it’s usually a better idea to provide your pooch with doggie-specific versions of this delightful dessert. It’s best to avoid giving your dog “people” ice cream for the following reasons:
- Many dogs are lactose intolerant. Dogs can be lactose intolerant and experience stomach upset when consuming large amounts of dairy. Doggie ice cream recipes are less concentrated with dairy products than traditional ice cream to prevent stomach upset. If your dog is ultra-sensitive to dairy, consider trying a different treat like one of those recommended in our collection of frozen dog treats for the summer. There are some great options that don’t require yogurt!
- Ice cream ingredients can be dangerous. Ice creams that include the artificial sweetener xylitol are toxic for dogs. This ingredient is commonly found in “sugar-free” products. Hefty amounts of sugar and salt aren’t great for your four-footer either.
- Not all flavors are safe. Traditional ice cream could contain ingredients that you shouldn’t share with your dog. For example, chocolate ice cream (though carob makes a great chocolate alternative for dogs), ice cream with raisins, and flavors with certain nuts (like macadamia nuts or walnuts) aren’t safe for your furry friend. So, it’s best to avoid sharing them altogether.
- Regular ice cream is too rich for dogs. Ice cream for people is caloric, and full of fat, salt, and sugar that your pooch doesn’t need. Giving your four-footer traditional ice cream can easily upset his stomach and cause vomiting or diarrhea.
- DIY doggie ice cream is better for your pooch and wallet. Dog ice cream is fortunately super easy to make and better for your furry-friend. Also, most dog ice cream recipes contain just a handful of ingredients that you might already have at home.
Some of the recipes below can be made with a non-dairy alternative to yogurt. This may be most helpful for pooches who have a lot of trouble digesting milk and milk-based products.
Just be sure to check the ingredient list for any such product before adding it to your doggo ice cream. Make sure that it doesn’t include any ingredients that are dangerous for your dog.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to check with your vet first.
The Seven Best Dog Ice Cream Recipes
Spoil Spot this summer by finessing your own frozen treats! Here are some of the best dog ice cream recipes you can craft for your canine.
1. DIY Ice Cream Treats
OK, so this one is obviously our favorite recipe, but feel free to keep scrolling if it doesn’t sound appealing to your pupper.
We’ve written up the directions for these dog ice cream treats in detail, but essentially, you’re just going to mix up some peanut butter, yogurt, and bananas, pour the mixture into some cute molds, freeze them, and then let your pooch enjoy!
They’re really easy to make — just check the video for step-by-step instructions.
2. One Ingredient Ice Cream
About: This one-ingredient ice cream for dogs (and humans) is unsurprisingly super easy to whip up for your four-footer. All you need is a blender and some bananas and you’ll be able to treat your furry friend.
Ingredients:
- Bananas
Directions:
- Cut ripe bananas into small pieces and freeze.
- Blend frozen bananas in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Serve to Spot! You can also pour the mixture into a cute paw print mold and freeze for some extra flair for Fido.
3. Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Ice Cream
About: Does Spot want a little bit of sweet, spice, and everything nice? This pumpkin and peanut butter ice cream will do the trick. Plus, it can be made by hand so it’s perfect if you don’t have a blender or food processor available.
Ingredients:
- Dog-safe peanut butter
- Plain dog-friendly yogurt or a dog-safe, non-dairy alternative
- Pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
Directions:
- Mix the peanut butter, yogurt, and pumpkin together until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into cupcake molds or ramekins. Cover molds with plastic wrap.
- Freeze until mixture is frozen throughout.
- Serve ice cream on it’s own or with chopped apples as a topper.
4. Chicken Ice Cream
About: You probably don’t want to share this chicken ice cream with your four-footer, but Spot will be more than happy to enjoy this treat solo-style. This savory ice cream is not only tasty, but it is also packed with protein for your pooch.
Ingredients:
- Cooked chicken
- Low-sodium, onion-free chicken stock
Directions:
- Dice cooked chicken and freeze.
- Once frozen, place chicken pieces in the food processor. Continue blending and gradually add stock until the mixture is a smooth paste.
- Place mixture in an airtight container and freeze.
- Remove from the freezer after a half hour and blend. Re-freeze and repeat the process until ice cream is smooth enough to scoop.
- Serve on its own or with some of your pup’s favorite veggies.
5. Peanut Butter & Bacon Ice Cream
About: If Spot likes sweet and savory combos (and who wouldn’t?), this peanut butter & bacon ice cream is the perfect sweet treat. The ice cream only has three ingredients and has a crunchier texture than some of the other options that some pups may prefer.
Ingredients:
- Dog-safe peanut butter
- Plain yogurt or a dog-safe, non-dairy alternative
- Bacon bits
Directions:
- Mix the peanut butter, yogurt, and bits together until combined.
- Freeze the mixture until firm.
- Serve the ice cream once frozen. If your pooch prefers a smoother texture, blend the mixture and re-freeze it before serving.
While bacon isn’t “dangerous” to dogs in small quantities, it is absolutely loaded with salt and fat (hence its appeal among two-footers).
So, be sure to limit the amount your pet enjoys, especially if your pooch is on the small side. Also, be sure to check with your vet before offering bacon if your pet is overweight or experiencing any health issues.
6. Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream
About: Your dog will go bananas for this super simple yet tasty ice cream recipe. You might even enjoy some of this banana-based ice cream, too!
Ingredients:
- Bananas
- Dog-safe peanut butter
- Plain yogurt or dog-safe, non-dairy alternative
Directions:
- First, slice up ripe bananas and freeze for a couple of hours.
- Place the frozen banana pieces, peanut butter, and yogurt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately and top with optional dog biscuit crumbs or blueberries.
7. Banana & Blueberry Ice Cream
About: Is Fido a fruit fanatic? If so, he’s sure to love this blueberry & banana ice cream. Blueberries provide your pooch with plenty of antioxidants and give this ice cream an enticing natural purple color.
Ingredients:
- Bananas
- Blueberries
Directions:
- Cut bananas into small pieces.
- Freeze blueberries and bananas for at least 2 hours.
- Blend frozen blueberries and bananas together until smooth.
- Serve to Spot! For a firmer consistency, freeze the blended mixture for an additional hour after blending.
8. Pupper Popsicles
About: For a treat your pooch can’t refuse, make this simple pooch yogurt and honey popsicle recipe. If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can freeze these treats in cupcake liners or Dixie cups.
Ingredients:
- Dog-safe peanut butter
- Plain yogurt or a dog-safe, non-dairy alternative
- Honey
- Water
- Bananas
- Your dog’s favorite biscuit (optional)
Directions:
- Chop bananas into small pieces.
- Place yogurt, peanut butter, honey, banana pieces, and water into a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
- Pour mixture into small cups.
- Stand a dog biscuit into the center of each cup.
- Freeze cups.
- Once the popsicles are frozen, peel away the small cups and serve to your furry friend.
If you liked this one, make sure to also check out our full guide to more dog popsicles you can make at home!
You Can Also Buy Doggie Ice Cream!
Not ready to break out the blender for your best buddy? Rest-assured, you can also buy doggie-safe ice cream for your furry friend. This particular variety from Pooch Creamery comes in 4 different flavors including peanut butter and birthday cake.
This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Learn more
Pooch Creamery Ice Cream Mix
Tasty, safe, and available in four flavors, this ready-made dog ice cream makes it easy to spoil your pooch!
My dog Spicy loves this stuff. All you have to do is add water to the provided mix and freeze to prep this treat for your pooch. The ice cream is made with just five ingredients, includinglactose-free milk to keep your dog’s stomach happy.
The made in the USA ice cream keeps in the freezer for about 6 weeks after it’s first served so you can continue spoiling Spot with this frozen treat. Spicy enjoys this ice cream on its own or as a special kibble topper for when she’s been an extra good girl.
***
Your pooch is sure to enjoy a refreshing serving of dog ice cream. With any of these dog safe recipes, you can give your canine one of these cool treats throughout any season.
If you’re looking for more tasty treats to make your pooch, be sure to also check out our guides on how to make dog ice block treats, how to make a dog-friendly cake as well as how to make dog cupcakes!
Does your dog enjoy ice cream? What’s his favorite flavor? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!
No Comments