5 Easy Frozen Dog Treat Recipes for Summer
Five cool, easy treats to keep your pup happy all summer.
There's something handy about having a few homemade dog treats waiting in the freezer on a warm day. These five recipes are simple, refreshing and made with everyday dog-friendly ingredients, and most take only a few minutes to prepare before the freezer does the rest.
From blueberry yoghurt paws to peanut butter banana bones and little watermelon bites, each one uses just a handful of ingredients you may already have at home, usually some plain yoghurt, a ripe banana and whatever fruit is sitting in the fruit bowl. Nothing here needs a special shopping trip or an ingredient you will use once and forget about at the back of a cupboard.
If you are brand new to making dog treats at home, our 3-ingredient frozen yoghurt dog treats is the gentlest place to start. Otherwise, make one recipe here or keep a couple of different flavours in the freezer at the same time and see which one becomes your dog's favourite. Most of them will keep for a few weeks in an airtight container, so a single afternoon of prep can easily cover the rest of the warm season.
Blueberry Yoghurt Paws
A cool, easy frozen treat for warm days.
- 1 cup plain unsweetened yoghurt
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- Place a few blueberries into each paw-shaped mould cavity.
- Spoon yoghurt over the berries and tap the mould gently.
- Freeze for 3–4 hours, or until firm.
♡ No paw mould? Use a small silicone mould, ice cube tray or mini muffin tin.
Want the longer version of this one, with photos of every step and swaps for other berries? Read the full blueberry frozen yoghurt dog treats recipe.
Peanut Butter Banana Bites
A simple freezer treat dogs love.
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp xylitol-free peanut butter
- Mash the banana until smooth.
- Stir in the peanut butter until well combined.
- Spoon into bone-shaped moulds and freeze for 2–3 hours.
♡ Tip: Let the treats sit for a minute before serving if they are very firm.
Pumpkin Yoghurt Paws
A simple two-ingredient frozen treat made with pumpkin and yoghurt.
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yoghurt
- Mix the pumpkin puree and yoghurt until smooth.
- Spoon into paw-shaped moulds.
- Freeze for 3–4 hours, or until firm.
♡ Tip: Make sure you use plain pumpkin puree, not pie filling.
Banana Yoghurt Bites
A creamy little summer treat made with two ingredients.
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yoghurt
- Blend the banana and yoghurt until smooth.
- Spoon into small moulds or an ice cube tray.
- Freeze for 3–4 hours, or until firm.
♡ Tip: You can also freeze the mixture over banana slices for an easy variation.
Watermelon Yoghurt Bites
A light, cooling treat for extra warm days.
- 1/2 cup seedless watermelon
- 1/2 cup plain unsweetened yoghurt
- Blend the watermelon until smooth.
- Stir in the yoghurt and pour into small watermelon moulds.
- Freeze for 3–4 hours, or until firm.
♡ Tip: Remove all seeds and rind before blending.
What we used
Paw & Bone Silicone Mould Set
Two trays, paw and bone shapes, perfect for all five recipes in this post.
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Paw & Bone Silicone Mould Set
Four moulds in fun colours, two paw and two bone shapes, great for bigger batches.
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Bone Cookie Cutter Set
Three bone sizes, handy for cutting shapes from softer mixtures before freezing.
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Watermelon Slice Silicone Mould
Fifteen little watermelon-slice cavities, ready for the watermelon yoghurt bites.
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NutriBullet Personal Blender
Blends watermelon and banana smooth in seconds, so nothing separates in the freezer.
View on AmazonWhy frozen treats work
They slow things down
A frozen treat takes minutes instead of seconds, and that licking is naturally calming. Pop one on a lick mat to stretch it out even longer.
They help on hot days
On a warm afternoon a cold treat is a small, easy way to cool your dog down from the inside. It will not replace shade and fresh water, but it is a nice extra when the garden is too hot for a proper play session.
You know what is in them
Two or three ingredients you can name, no added sugar, no preservatives and no xylitol. For dogs with a sensitive stomach that short ingredient list makes it much easier to spot what agrees with them and what does not.
Safe to freeze, and what to skip
Good in frozen treats
- Plain unsweetened yoghurt or Greek yoghurt
- Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
- Seedless watermelon, banana and apple (no pips or core)
- Plain pumpkin puree, not pie filling
- Xylitol-free peanut butter
- Cooked, unseasoned sweet potato or carrot
- Plain water or a little sodium-free bone broth
Leave these out
- Xylitol or birch sugar, in any amount
- Chocolate, cocoa and coffee
- Grapes, raisins and sultanas
- Onion, garlic, leeks and chives
- Macadamia nuts and most other nuts
- Sweetened or flavoured yoghurt
- Avocado and stone fruit pits
If your dog has a health condition, is on a prescription diet, or is prone to pancreatitis, run any new ingredient past your vet before you make a batch. This is general information, not veterinary advice.
How much is enough
Treats of any kind should stay under roughly ten percent of your dog's daily food. On a day with a frozen treat, take a little off their dinner so the total stays the same. Start with half a portion the first time you try a new ingredient.
Quick fixes
They will not come out of the mould
Let the mould sit at room temperature for two or three minutes, then push from the base rather than pulling from the top. A silicone mould releases far more easily than a rigid plastic tray.
They are too hard for my dog
Leave the treat out for a minute or two before serving, or make smaller ones. For puppies, seniors, or dogs with dental issues, a softer half-frozen texture is kinder than a rock-solid block.
The mixture separated in the freezer
Blend the fruit into the yoghurt rather than layering it, and give the mould a gentle tap on the counter before it goes in. Watery fruit like watermelon separates most, so blend that one properly.
My dog got an upset tummy
Usually too much, too fast, or a lactose sensitivity. Try Greek yoghurt, which is lower in lactose, drop back to a smaller portion, and introduce one new ingredient at a time so you can tell what caused it.
How to store them
Store the frozen treats in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer. They will stay fresh for up to two months. Let them sit for a minute before serving if they are very firm, particularly for puppies or older dogs.
♡ A little reminder
Every dog is different, so introduce a new ingredient slowly and watch how they respond. Keep treats to a small share of their daily food, and check with your vet if your dog has any dietary sensitivities.
A few simple ingredients and a bit of freezer time can turn an ordinary afternoon into something your dog looks forward to. Try one with your pup this week and see which flavour becomes their favourite.
Made a batch? Tag @lana.thegoldenretriever so we can see. ♡
Good to know
Can I use Greek yoghurt instead of regular yoghurt?
Yes. Plain Greek yoghurt works well in all five recipes and is lower in lactose, which can be gentler on a sensitive stomach. Just make sure it is plain and unsweetened, with no xylitol or added sugar.
What can I use instead of silicone moulds?
An ice cube tray, a mini muffin tin, or small paper cups all work as an easy substitute. The treats will simply take on the shape of whatever you freeze them in.
How long do these frozen treats last in the freezer?
Stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, they stay fresh for up to two months. After that the texture starts to suffer, so a smaller fresh batch is usually best.
Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen blueberries and watermelon both work fine. Thaw them slightly first so they blend or mix in smoothly.
How many frozen treats can my dog have?
Treat these as an occasional extra, not a meal replacement. Start with one small treat and see how your dog responds, especially if it is their first time trying a new ingredient.
