Rosie discovered her love of frozen treats with some plain yogurt and berries. Ever since, she's always at our feet whenever we open the freezer door.
Frozen treats are one of the simplest ways to help your dog manage the heat, and they don't require any special kit or culinary expertise. A blender, an ice cube tray, and a handful of dog-safe ingredients, that's genuinely all it takes. Here are six recipes we love, plus a straightforward guide to what's safe to use and what to leave well alone.
If you're wondering how much exercise your dog actually needs on warmer days, our dog exercise calculator can help you work that out too because a frozen treat on the patio is sometimes a very sensible swap for a midday walk.
Why Frozen Treats Actually Help
Dogs cool down differently to us. Unlike humans, dogs primarily regulate their temperature through panting, with their paw pads doing a small amount of the work too. A frozen treat gives them something cold to work through slowly, cooling them from the inside while keeping them occupied on days when the heat is sitting heavy.
According to the Blue Cross, dogs at higher risk of heatstroke; brachycephalic breeds (think Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs), overweight dogs, and elderly dogs should avoid exercise in temperatures above 20°C. On those days, a frozen treat in the shade is a useful activity that's gentle on their body rather than demanding of it.
That said, frozen treats complement fresh water and shade they don't replace them. Keep the water bowl topped up regardless, and make sure your dog always has somewhere cool to rest.
What's Safe (and What Isn't) in Homemade Frozen Dog Treats
Before you start, it's worth knowing which ingredients are genuinely dog-safe and which are absolute no-gos. The list of toxic foods is shorter than you might think, but it's important.
Good to use:
- Plain Greek yogurt (lower in lactose, higher in protein, a brilliant base)
- Ripe banana (naturally sweet and easy to mash)
- Watermelon, strawberries, or blueberries (remove seeds and rind)
- Xylitol-free peanut butter (always check the label, natural varieties are best)
- Unsalted chicken or beef broth (check for onion and garlic — both toxic to dogs)
- Cucumber or carrot (mild, hydrating, and most dogs love a crunch)
- Plain pumpkin powder made in to a puree (not pumpkin pie filling just pure, unsweetened pumpkin)
Never use:
- Grapes or raisins (highly toxic)
- Chocolate or anything containing cacao
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in some peanut butters and yogurts, and extremely dangerous for dogs
- Onion, garlic, or chives in any form
- Avocado
- Anything with added salt or sugar
6 Homemade Frozen Dog Treat Recipes
1. Banana & Yogurt Pops
Mash two ripe bananas and mix thoroughly with 200g of plain Greek yogurt. Spoon into an ice cube tray or silicone mould and freeze for at least 4 hours. Simple, creamy, and almost universally loved. A brilliant first recipe if you're new to this.
2. Peanut Butter & Broth Cubes
Mix 2 tablespoons of xylitol-free peanut butter into 500ml of unsalted chicken broth until combined. Pour into moulds and freeze. The broth makes these extra hydrating, particularly useful on genuinely hot days when you want to encourage your dog to take on more fluid.
3. Watermelon Slushies
Blend a generous wedge of seedless watermelon (skin removed) until smooth. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Watermelon is around 92% water, so these are wonderfully refreshing and very low in calories, a great option for dogs watching their weight.
4. Berry Yogurt Bites
Blend 150g of plain Greek yogurt with a handful of fresh strawberries or blueberries. Pour into moulds and freeze for 4–6 hours. The berries add natural antioxidants alongside the flavour, and the colour when you pop them out of the mould is genuinely gorgeous.
5. Carrot & Broth Lollies
Finely grate one large carrot and mix into 400ml of unsalted beef or chicken broth. Pour into small moulds and freeze. These work brilliantly for dogs who are less keen on sweet flavours. The savoury broth base wins them over every time, and carrot adds a satisfying bit of texture.
6. Pumpkin Puree & Yogurt Bites
Mix 100g of plain pumpkin puree (pure, unsweetened, not pumpkin pie filling) with 150g of plain Greek yogurt. Stir well, pour into moulds, and freeze for at least 4 hours. Plain pumpkin puree is a well-known digestive soother for dogs, so this one earns its place beyond just being delicious. Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Pumpkin powder is available HERE.
A Few Tips for Serving Frozen Treats Well
A couple of practical notes before you start filling ice cube trays:
- Serve outside or on a wipeable surface. Frozen yogurt melts faster than you'd think. The garden or the kitchen floor, not the good rug.
- Don't let your dog eat too fast. One or two small cubes at a time is the sweet spot. Scoffing a whole tray in one go risks an upset stomach.
- Introduce new ingredients one at a time. If it's your dog's first taste of yogurt, test a small amount first before freezing a full batch. Keep an eye on them over the following 24 hours.
- Silicone moulds are your friend. Standard ice cube trays work perfectly well, but silicone moulds in bone or paw shapes are easy to find and make pop-out far simpler. Rubber toys filled and frozen are another popular option for dogs who like a bit of a challenge.
And if you're planning an early morning or evening walk once the temperature drops, a breathable mesh harness is worth having in the summer rotation as they allow much better airflow than padded alternatives on warmer days.
Your Summer Cool-Down Starts Here
We hope one of these recipes becomes your dog's new favourite ritual too.
For more seasonal tips, treat ideas, and the occasional Rosie appearance, join our newsletter. We'd love to have you in the pack.
